National Museum of Nuclear Science & History adds Brian Adams to board

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has appointed Brian Adams, co-founder and managing partner of Albuquerque venture fund UP.Abundance, to its Board of Trustees. The museum says Adams will help guide strategic growth as it expands STEM education and ties its atomic-age mission to New Mexico’s emerging tech economy.

Why it matters: - Brian Adams brings venture capital and deep tech experience to a museum board focused on science education and public engagement. - The appointment links New Mexico’s nuclear history museum more closely to the state’s growing advanced energy, aerospace, manufacturing and entrepreneurship ecosystem. - Adams’ board role could help the museum strengthen ties between historic scientific achievements and the technologies shaping New Mexico’s future.

What happened: - The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History named Brian Adams to its Board of Trustees. - Adams is co-founder and managing partner of UP.Abundance, an Albuquerque-based venture capital fund. - The museum announced the appointment on Oct. 1, 2026, in Albuquerque. - Board Chair Mark Benak said Adams brings a perspective at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development. - Museum President and CEO Jennifer Hayden said Adams’ experience building partnerships between technology, investment and industry will help keep the museum relevant to future generations.

The details: - Adams works in advanced energy, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing and economic development. - UP.Abundance focuses on attracting and scaling frontier technology companies in New Mexico. - The fund aims to make New Mexico a capital-efficient location for deep technology startups. - Adams has helped attract major investments to New Mexico, including Pacific Fusion’s planned $1 billion research and manufacturing facility. - Adams frequently speaks on venture capital, advanced energy, deep technology entrepreneurship and state economic development. - His work has appeared on podcasts, YouTube programs, panels and in local and national media. - Adams said his museum visit as a new engineering graduate remains one of his best museum experiences. - Adams said he wants the museum to inspire his sons and the next generation of New Mexico children. - Adams holds an MBA from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Purdue University. - The museum says it is broadening its focus on inspiring scientists, engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs through STEM education and public engagement. - As a trustee, Adams will help with strategic planning and growth initiatives. - The museum describes itself as an objective, thought-provoking presenter, interpreter and preserver of the atomic age’s history and science. - The museum is open 361 days a year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. - More information is available on the museum's website.

Between the lines: - The appointment gives the museum a trustee with direct ties to New Mexico’s startup-investment pipeline, not just its science community. - That may help the museum speak more directly to the state’s next generation of technologists and entrepreneurs. - Adams’ background suggests the museum is valuing board members who can connect heritage institutions with economic development and innovation policy.

What's next: - Adams will join the museum’s strategic planning and growth work as a trustee. - The museum is likely to continue using STEM programming and community engagement to widen its audience. - UP.Abundance will keep investing in startups across advanced energy, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing and climate resilience.

The bottom line: - The museum is betting that a board member with venture capital and deep tech experience can help it stay relevant while reinforcing New Mexico’s science-and-innovation identity.