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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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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.
Anna S. Erickson
Debra A. CallahanAnna S. Erickson
Lon Paulson
Mark O. Cojuangco (Philippines)
Rodolfo M. Ferrer Carlo Fiorina
Hon. William Ostendorff
Maria N. AvramovaAnnalisa ManeraAbderrafi M. OugouagCurtis L. SmithPaul P. WilsonSandra DullaShannon Bragg-SittonCarl Rick Grantom Andrew KleinElia MerzariSteven Nesbit
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Best Section)University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez (Second Place)University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Third Place)
Pradeep Ramuhalli
Anna S. EricksonKoroush ShirvanElizabeth S Sooby
Bobbi Riedel
Pittsburgh Local Section (Best Overall)Georgia Local Section (Best Meetings and Programs)Northeastern Local Section (Best Public Information & Education)Savannah River Local Section (Best Section Management & Best Membership)
David Desaulniers
Victor Coppo Leite
David Andersson
NURETH-20Stephen BajorekJacopo BuongiornoElia Merzari
Leigh Winfrey
Nicholas R. BrownMihai A. Diaconeasa
Alireza HaghighatWilliam R. Martin
Thomas A. FanningH.E. Mohamed Al HammadiRebecca L. SteinmanW.A. “Art” Wharton, IIISteven P. NesbitRichard A. MeserveAmir AfzaliKairos Power LLCJeffrey S. MerrifieldPeter N. SwiftMaria G. Korsnick
Padhraic Mulligan
Dr. Lei Cao
Andrew Whittaker
Catherine (Cat) Clifford
Luiz C. Leal
Annalisa Manera
Joshua Vajda
Mark T. Peters
J'Tia Hart
Donald E. Burkhart, Jr. (WY)Marcio Paes-Barreto
Jean-Francois Lucchini
UNDERGRADUATEUniversity Tennessee, Knoxville - Subcritical Test Assembly - Senior Design ProjectAuthors: Authors: Daniel G. Racz, Gabriel F. Lentchner, Nicholas J. Branam, Sinan Zhang, and Sophia C. HitsonNorth Carolina State University - Event Sequence Analysis to Support a Full Scope Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Assessment Framework for the PULSTAR Research Reactor Authors: Maddison M. Barber, May Wells, Alex Chaisson, and Mihai A. DiaconeasaGeorgia Institute of Technology - Cask Design and Offline Processing of Fuel Salt via Fluorination and Impurity Absorption for MSR Nuclear WasteAuthors: Gracie Eccleston, Jana Shade, Zach Welchel, and Caryanne WilsonUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - Large-Area Plasma-Liquid Reactors for Water Purification in SpaceAuthors: Sean M. Peyres, Jasmine Dinari, and Matt KoskaGRADUATEMassachusetts Institute of Technology - Design Optimization of an Organic-Cooled Light-Water-Moderated Micro-Reactor for Electricity and Hydrogen GenerationAuthors: Assil Halimi, Gyutae Park, Isabel Naranjo D. Candido, and Loukas Carayannopoulos
Seungjin Kim
John Miller
Otto LandenPeter Norreys
Ian Wall
Patrick J. Snouffer
Lane B. Carasik
Yasir Arafat