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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2026
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Reimagining nuclear materials for the future of medicine
Nuclear medicine has come a long way since Henri Becquerel first observed the penetrating energy of radioactive materials in 1896. Today, technetium-99m alone is used in more than 40 million diagnostic procedures every year—from cardiovascular imaging and bone scans to cancer detection—making it the undisputed workhorse of nuclear medicine. That single statistic tells you something important: An enormous portion of modern diagnostic medicine rests on a surprisingly narrow foundation, one built around a small number of aging research reactors that were never originally designed for continuous isotope production.
Executive Session|Panel
Tuesday, June 17, 2025|1:00–2:45PM CDT|Chicago Ballroom D
Session Chair:
Andrew Smith (ANS Director of Communications)
In an era marked by combative trade policies, government spending cuts, and aspirations for energy dominance and supply-side abundance, the U.S. nuclear energy sector faces significant challenges and opportunities. This panel will explore how policy thought leadership and effective communication strategies can navigate the complexities introduced by deregulation, tariffs, a government-driven pivot away from decarbonization and more. Discussions will focus on crafting narratives that promote the advancement of nuclear technology domestically and internationally, addressing public perception, regulatory hurdles, and market dynamics. By leveraging strategic communication, the panel aims to equip industry professionals with tools to advocate for nuclear energy's role in achieving national energy objectives and maintaining global competitiveness.
Mark Nelson
Managing Director, Radiant Energy Group
Kathryn Huff
Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics Chair
Univ. Wisconsin, Madison
Chris Gadomski
Head of Research, Nuclear, BloombergNEF
Alexander Kaufman
Alexander Kaufman, publisher and author of the Substack newsletter FIELD NOTES