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2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Latest News
Thompson Igunma’s UF-INL research is creating unique models for molten salt reactors
Igunma
American Nuclear Society member Thompson Odion Igunma is a doctoral candidate in materials science and engineering at the University of Florida (UF) conducting research in collaboration with the Computational Mechanics and Materials Group at Idaho National Laboratory. His work focuses on advanced modeling of the complex interplay between molten salt corrosion, irradiation, and changes in alloy microstructure.
“I see molten salt reactors as a pivotal part of the next generation of nuclear energy,” Igunma said. “Their unique combination of safety, efficiency, and fuel flexibility makes them ideally suited to complement renewables in a low-carbon energy mix.”
20th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NURETH-20)
Dr. Lahey is a specialist in two-phase flow and heat transfer and is widely considered to be an expert in nuclear reactor thermal-hydraulics & safety technology. He is the author of many archival papers and books, and is currently the Edward E. Hood Professor Emeritus of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He is an active consultant (technical and expert witness) and is a founding Director of PJM Interconnection LLC, the largest supplier / market operator of wholesale electricity in the country. Salient details on his background are:
EDUCATION
B.S. in Marine Engineering - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), 1961
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 1964
M.E. in Engineering Mechanics - Columbia University, 1966
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering - Stanford University, 1971
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: The Edward E. Hood Professor of Engineering (4/89-9/08; Emeritus, 9/08-present); Dean of Engineering (7/94-4/98); Director, Center for Multiphase Research (7/91-6/94); Chairman, Department of Nuclear Engineering & Science (10/75-6/87).
General Electric Company-NED: Manager, Core & Safety Development (7/71-10/75); Principal Development Engineering (7/66-6/71).
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (Nuclear Navy): Thermal Design Engineer (9/61-8/64); Naval Officer-USNR (8/61-8/67); Consultant to KAPL (10/85 – 6/98).
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Fellow -ANS (1980); Life Fellow - ASME (1980); Member –AIChE & ASEE.
Board of Managers – PJM Interconnection, LLC. (1997 – 2016)
Board of Advisors – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (2000-2005).
Commissioner - U.S. Engineering Manpower Commission (1981-83).
Consultant - Numerous industrial and government organizations (Domestic/International).
Thesis Advisor – 50 PhD & 30 MS students supervised in Nuclear Eng./Eng. Physics
SELECTED HONORS AND AWARDS
Member : National Academy of Engineering (1994), Foreign Member : Russian Academy of Sciences-Bashkortostan (1995); Glenn Murphy Award of the ASEE (1985); Outstanding Professional Achievement Award of USMMA (1986); E.O. Lawrence Memorial Award of the USDOE (1988); Arthur Holly Compton Award of the ANS (1989); Donald Q. Kern Award of the AIChE (1989); Glenn T. Seaborg Medal of the ANS (1992); William H. Wiley Distinguished Faculty Award-RPI (2004); Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in Engineering; Who’s Who in the East; Who’s Who in Technology; International Who’s Who in Energy & Nuclear Sciences; Who’s Who of Intellectuals; American Men & Women in Science; Fulbright-Hays Fellow (Oxford,1983-84); Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellow (Tokyo,1990); Editor- J. Nuclear Engineering & Design (1984-1995); Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Fellow (Karlsruhe, 2005-2006); United Nations –IAEA Nuclear Expert for Argentina (1985-1990). Co-founder and first Chairman of ANS Thermal-Hydraulics Technical Group (precursor of T-H Division). Founder and Organizer of first NURETH topical meeting and of the Japan/US Seminars on Two-Phase Flow Dynamics. Numerous invited National/International lectures on two-phase technology.
Last modified April 4, 2023, 4:27pm EDT
