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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
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August 2026
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The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
Richard T. Lahey, Jr.
Ira BornsteinY. G. Post
Oregon State University (First Place)Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Second Place)University of Maryland Third PlaceUniversity of Florida (Third Place)Mississippi State University (Honorable Mention)
Karl E. Neumeier
John A. Bernard, Jr.
Philip A. Anderson
Norman C. RasmussenSaul Levine
Idaho (Best Overall, Large)Eastern Carolina (Best Overall, Small)Idaho (ANS Local Section Exhibit, Best Section Management, Best Membership)Long Island (Best Meetings and Programs)Eastern Washington (Best Public Information and Education)
James E. O'Sullivan (Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.)Team of: C. ChiuW. FrickB. WoodsJ. TateS. McMahanD. NiebrueggeV. FisherJ. SalazarB. DuncilC. ElliottW. WilczekM. GutellJ. Moore R. WaldoG. HollowaySouthern California Edison Company (San Onofre Trip Reduction Task Force)
Medhat Wahba Mickael
Westinghouse Nuclear Training Reactor PIVER
General Electric Company Los AlamosNational Laboratory
Payasada KotrappaJohn C. Dempsey
Herbert Goldstein
Henry Hurwitz, Jr.
Walker L. Cisler
Louis Saint-Lebe
Walter H. D'Ardenne
GraduateOhio State UniversityJames F. Curran, Mark S. Jarzemba, Albert L. Vest, Vijay SrinivasanUniversity of TennesseeEvren Eryurek, Zhichao Guo, Daniel Hollebach, Anthony Hurst, Mohammed Ibn Khayat, John R. Olvera, Rick SummittUndergraduateUniversity of TennesseeSaleh Alafifi, Glenn Coppock, Stephan Dupourque, Ahsan Farooqi, Elvira Mealer, Michelle Taylor
Mamoru Ishii
Adolf Birkhofer
Solomon Levy
