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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
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
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.
Award Recipient Photos
Honors and Awards Program
Rizwan Uddin
Bernadette L. Kirk
Brian Kidd
Mark DeHartTemitope TaiwoTerry ToddDr. Jess C. GehinDr. Robert N. HillDr. Alan S. IcenhourDr. Jose N. Reyes, Jr.Dr. Akio Yamamoto
University of Illinois Student Section (Best Section)University of Florida Student Section (Honorable Mention)University of Wisconsin – Madison Student Section (Honorable Mention)
Frank M. Heckendorn, II
Kurt A. Terrani
Pablo Mulás
Benard Boullis
Small Local SectionsNortheastern New York (Best Membership)Pittsburgh (Best Meetings and Programs)Oak Ridge/Knoxville (Best Public Information)Northeastern New York (Best Section Management)Large Local SectionsSavannah River (Best Overall)Best International SectionsJapan (Best Overall)
Larry R. FoulkeGilbert J. Brown
Advanced Test Reactor
Arndt Lindner
Dr. Yinbin Miao
Brian Wirth
University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR)Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) Complex
Dr. Zahra Mohaghegh
Mohamed Sawan
Darby S. KimballStephen E. KuczynskiEdward D. KeeNicholas ThompsonDaniel J. Curtis
George H. Miley
Robert Jubin
Peter B. Lyons
Andrew O. Smetana
GraduateUniversity of California Berkeley: Near-Term Deployment Viability of Liquid-Fuel Molten Salt ReactorsSandra Bogetic, Andrew Greenop, Nils Haneklaus, Chris Poresky, Dan ShenAdvisor: Dr. Massimiliano FratoniUndergraduatePurdue University: Helium-3 Production Via Lithium Activation In An Accelerator-Driven ReactorP. Dressman, A. Jassem, T. Kyle, R. Nicholson, S. Sanders, D. ToneffAdvisor: Prof. Chan K. ChoiUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison: Design Report for the Molten-Chloride High Temperature Reactor (M-CHTR)Alex Gross, Andrew Maile, Jordan Rein, Advisor: Dr. John MurphyTexas A&M University: VASIMR – Interfaced High Temperature GasCooled Fast Reactor for Advanced Space Applications (VARGAS)Joe Kelsey, Andrés Morell-Pacheco, Tyler Hughes, and Nick WhitmanAdvisor: Dr. Pavel Tsvetkov
Dr. Nam Truc Dinh
John Milhalczo
Plant Hatch
Randall K. Edington
Dr. Luiz Carlos LealDr. Mark L. Williams
Kathryn D. Huff
Regis Matzie
