18th International Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Analysis (PSA 2023)

Dr. Curtis Smith

Director, Nuclear Safety and Regulatory Research Division

Idaho National Laboratory (INL)

Dr. Curtis Smith is the Director of the INL Nuclear Safety and Regulatory Research Division, leading a staff of 83 scientists and engineers supporting the demonstration of innovative nuclear energy solutions and resilient critical infrastructure. Prior to taking a leadership role as Division Director, he led several risk-informed activities including the Risk-Informed Systems Analysis Pathway under the Department of Energy Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s SAPHIRE risk analysis software development; the Risk Integration and Uncertainty Working Group for the NASA Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel for both the Mars 2020 and Mars Science Laboratory missions; and served on the executive committee for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Engineering and Risk Analysis Division. In 2023, Dr. Smith was awarded the INL Laboratory Director Award for Leadership. He was also awarded the Idaho State University 2023 Professional Achievement Award for the College of Science and Engineering.

Dr. Smith has been at INL for over 33 years and has published over 300 papers, books, and reports on risk, safety, and reliability theory and applications. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in nuclear engineering from Idaho State University and a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from MIT.