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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.
General Chair:
J. Wesley Hines (University of Tennessee Knoxville)
Technical Program Cochairs:
Andrew Thomas (Idaho National Laboratory)
Russell Coon (VPSP, LLC)
Frank Giannone (Duke Energy)
Program Schedule Chair:
Patrick Berry (Program Schedule Chair, Patrick Berry Consulting, LLC)
Executive Sponsor:
Kostas Dovas (Exelon Nuclear)
Sponsor Cochairs:
David Helling (Westinghouse)
Dan Randolph (Exelon Calvert Cliffs)
Publication Chair:
Rob Sandstrom (Focus Forward Performance Solutions LLC)
Committee Members:
Shaima Al Mansoori (Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation)
John Austin (Southern Company)
Bill Barron (Ontario Power Generation)
Douglas Batche (Exelon Nuclear Security)
Aaron Bergeron (TVA)
Oum Keltoum Bouhelal (Higher National School)
Richard Coe (Thomas Edison State College)
Juan Cortez (Callaway, Ameren)
Raymond Dean (The West Wind Group)
Thomas Dean (Exelon Generation)
Lisa Edwards (EPRI)
Rick Gayheart (Southern Company)
Gerry Hildebrandt (STP)
Bei Liu (Excelsior College)
George Manaskie (INPO)
Michael Marler (Marler Consulting)
Lisa Marshall (North Carolina State University)
Terry Maund (INPO)
Stephen Page (BE EDF)
Analiese Piraino (FENOC)
Robert Rodriguez (Tecnatom USA)
Pamela Terry (Westinghouse)
Irina Vorobieva (Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power)
Jason Valtos (TVA)
Helena Zhivitskaya (IAEA)
