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2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Going Nuclear: Notes from the officially unofficial book tour
I work in the analytical labs at one of Europe’s oldest and largest nuclear sites: Sellafield, in northwestern England. I spend my days at the fume hood front, pipette in one hand and radiation probe in the other (and dosimeter pinned to my chest, of course). Outside the lab, I have a second job: I moonlight as a writer and public speaker. My new popular science book—Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World—came out last summer, and it feels like my life has been running at full power ever since.
VIEW RECIPIENTSSUBMIT NOMINATION
Nomination Deadline
April 1
Presented at the
Winter Conference
The Eugene P. Wigner Award recognizes an individual that has made outstanding contributions toward the advancement in the field of nuclear reactor physics.
Nominations can be made by any member of ANS. Nominees need not be ANS members.
The award consists of an engraved plaque and is presented at a division function at the ANS Winter Conference.
The award was established by the Reactor Physics Division (RPD) in 1990. The award is named after the late Eugene P. Wigner, a pioneer who helped nurture the nuclear age to technical maturity.
The principal sponsor has the responsibility of (a) securing the required letters of recommendation from the other two co-sponsors, (b) assembling the nomination package and (c) submitting it to ANS along with his or her own recommendation of the nominee by the deadline indicated in the call for nominations announcement.
Nominations must include the completed nomination form accompanied by the following supporting documents:
The nomination should include evidence of the candidate's contribution in the form of written recommendations from the sponsors and others as appropriate, specifying the candidate's outstanding accomplishments and contributions that have benefited the field of nuclear reactor physics to the degree meriting consideration for the Eugene P. Wigner Reactor Physicist Award.
The selection of the Eugene P. Wigner Reactor Physicist Award is determined by critical review and assessment of submitted credentials and qualifications; hence, due care should be exercised in the preparation of the nomination package. In the process of review and selection, emphasis is placed on excellence of achievement in the field of nuclear reactor physics as evidenced by (a) outstanding original research, documented in referenced scientific journals or major publications, and by (b) outstanding leadership in reactor physics. The ANS Honors and Awards Committee is available for consultation and review as appropriate.
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