ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
Feb 2026
Jul 2025
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
March 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
January 2026
Latest News
Fusion energy: Progress, partnerships, and the path to deployment
Over the past decade, fusion energy has moved decisively from scientific aspiration toward a credible pathway to a new energy technology. Thanks to long-term federal support, we have significantly advanced our fundamental understanding of plasma physics—the behavior of the superheated gases at the heart of fusion devices. This knowledge will enable the creation and control of fusion fuel under conditions required for future power plants. Our progress is exemplified by breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility and the Joint European Torus.
2024 ANS Annual Conference
Catherine Prat is a Principal Engineer and Issue Manager with Westinghouse Electric Company. In her current role, she works across all business units to address a wide range of problems from design, manufacturability, supplier quality, and human performance. Prior to this role, she worked at Plant Vogtle for 6 years in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently as Nuclear Island mechanical lead engineer, supporting the Initial Test Program at Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Catherine has also served as a licensing engineer with a specialty in ITAAC and Part 52 licensing. Prior to moving to Vogtle, she worked on the GSI-191 resolution team for AP1000 and was a site engineer at Sanmen Units 1 and 2, helping to bring the first AP1000 plants online.
Catherine has been an active member of ANS for over a decade, in both student / local chapters and the national organization. She currently serves as the ANS Young Member Director on the Board of Directors and is an active member of the Certification Special Committee. She is on the Executive Committee for the Operations and Power Division and is a past chair of the Young Members Group.
Catherine earned her B.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 2014 and her M.Eng. in Nuclear Engineering in 2017. She also holds an SRO certificate (SNUPPS) and her PMP.
Last modified May 28, 2024, 2:06pm PDT