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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Center for Used Fuel Research: Building confidence in storage and transport
Used nuclear fuel storage and transportation have reached a critical juncture.
Dozens of utilities need reliable data on how used nuclear fuel performs in dry storage casks and canisters to extend regulatory licenses at sites across the United States. Likewise, the Department of Energy expects to take ownership of the used nuclear fuel—termed “spent nuclear fuel” in the laws and regulations governing its stewardship—and transfer it to one or more federal staging facilities for management and disposition.
Meanwhile, dozens of reactor companies are testing prototypes of advanced reactors and advanced reactor fuels. Eventually, regulators and industry must also verify the safety and security of storage methods for these advanced fuel types.
To help address these challenges, the DOE established the Center for Used Fuel Research (CUFR) in January 2026 for work related to the long-term storage and transport of used nuclear fuel.
2026 ANS Annual Conference
Ben L. Fryrear Presidential Chair and Professor, Department of Chemistry
Colorado School of Mines
Professor Shafer joined the faculty at Colorado School of Mines in the fall of 2012 after a two-year employment at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Jenifer Shafer is a Professor in the Chemistry Department and Nuclear Science & Engineering Program at the Colorado School of Mines. She received her Ph.D. from Washington State University in 2010, and a B.S. from Colorado State University in 2005. Jenifer is interested in advancing f-element separations technology through the use of new materials, supramolecular assembly, unique oxidation states, and controlling electronic structure. Advancing f-element separations technology has broad applications from advanced nuclear fuel cycles, nuclear forensics, and renewable technology. She is the co-author of several book chapters, over 50 technical manuscripts, and has led or collaborated on projects receiving over $30M in funding from the DOE, DOD, and DHS. Professor Shafer has received numerous awards and honors including Early Career awards from DOE and DHS and a Seaborg Visiting Scholar Fellowship for her sabbatical at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Her professional service includes leading sections and authorship of DOE Basic Research Needs reports and participation as a panelist for the National Academy of Sciences study, U.S. Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Support Capabilities. She is currently serving on the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Science working on chemical policy matters.