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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
Nuclear Technology
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Latest News
NRC proposes changes to its rules on nuclear materials
In response to Executive Order 14300, “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,” the NRC is proposing sweeping changes to its rules governing the use of nuclear materials that are widely used in industry, medicine, and research. The changes would amend NRC regulations for the licensing of nuclear byproduct material, some source material, and some special nuclear material.
As published in the May 18 Federal Register, the NRC is seeking public comment on this proposed rule and draft interim guidance until July 2.
Chief Nuclear Officer
Radiant
Dr. Rita Baranwal is the Chief Nuclear Officer at Radiant, the company pioneering the world’s first mass-produced portable nuclear microreactor. Dr. Baranwal is a former Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy and brings decades of leadership experience across the public and private sectors of the nuclear energy industry, with a distinguished track record of advancing innovation in nuclear technology.
Prior to joining Radiant, Dr. Baranwal served as Senior Vice President of the AP300 Small Modular Reactor program at Westinghouse Electric Company, leading development and licensing of one of the industry’s most promising next-generation nuclear designs. She was previously Chief Technology Officer at Westinghouse, overseeing global research and development, engineering, and advanced reactor technologies.
From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Baranwal served as Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy. In that role, she directed the department’s efforts to promote nuclear power as a key part of America’s energy future, managing a broad portfolio of research programs and public-private partnerships.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Baranwal was the inaugural director the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative at Idaho National Laboratory and held key technical leadership positions at Bechtel Bettis, Inc., supporting the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Baranwal is a widely respected voice in the global nuclear community and a passionate advocate for deploying advanced nuclear technologies to meet the world’s growing demand for reliable energy.
