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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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February 2026
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January 2026
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November 2025
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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.”
TECHNICAL PROGRAM CHAIR
Jonathan is a 4th year Ph.D. Candidate in Nuclear Engineering and Rickover Fellow performing research under Dr. Arthur Motta. He graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering with a minor in Engineering Mechanics from Penn State University in 2019. He has interned with the Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and Westinghouse Electric Corporation (WEC). Jonathan has been involved in ANS since starting at PSU in January 2016, holding the positions of Conference Chair, Treasurer, and Historian/Governor of the PSU ANS Student Chapter. In addition, he served as the Student Program Co-Chair for the 2022 ANS Annual Meeting and co-led the successful ANS Student Conference Bid. Jonathan is interested in materials science, additive manufacturing, and nuclear security. Outside the classroom, he is an avid gardener, serving as the President of the PSU Community Garden, and loves supporting Penn State Soccer and Lacrosse!
GENERAL CHAIR
Sean is a 1st year M.S. student in Nuclear Engineering performing research under Dr. Elia Merzari. He received his B.S. in Nuclear Engineering with a minor in Environmental Engineering from Penn State in 2023. This past summer, he interned with Constellation in the Nuclear Fuels department. Sean has been an active member of the ANS-PSU chapter, holding the positions of Technical Director, President, and Historian/Govenour. In addition to the ANS-PSU chapter, Sean has been an active member and has held leadership positions in the Alpha Nu Sigma, WIN, and INMM PSU chapters, along with national memberships of WIN and INMM. Sean’s research focuses on computational thermal hydraulics.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Carolina is a Ph.D. Candidate in Nuclear Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Under the supervision of Dr. Elia Merzari, her research focuses on modeling nuclear reactors using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Carolina graduated in 2020 with a B.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Carolina has completed internships at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL). She plans to return to INL as an intern again this summer. Since 2018, she has been an active member of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), previously serving as the co-president and academic director of the ANS Student Section at her university in Brazil. At Penn State, Carolina holds leadership positions as the President of WIN and the events planner for Alpha Nu Sigma. Outside of academics, she enjoys traveling, hiking outdoors, and going to the beach.
LOGISTICS DIRECTOR
Alex Nellis is a 1st year PhD student in Nuclear Engineering. He received his B.S. in Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering from Penn State in 2023. Additionally, Alex is an NRC-licensed Reactor Operator at the PSU RSEC and has worked there since the start of 2022. An active member of ANS-PSU, he has been a member since his first year in 2019. Along with ANS-PSU, Alex is a member of the PSU WIN chapter and Vice President of the Alpha Nu Sigma chapter at Penn State.
DEI DIRECTOR
Brandon is a 3rd year Majoring in Nuclear Engineering. He has been involved in ANS as an outreach director and is the current ANS Penn State Student Section president. Brandon is also an active member of WIN and INMM. Brandon is an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Nieto Perez, experimenting with using liquid metals for fusion applications. This summer, he will intern with Constellation.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Joseph is a 4th year Majoring in Nuclear Engineering. He is an active member of ANS and INMM. Joseph is an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Scurti, experimenting with the use of fiber optics under radiation environments. This past summer, he interned at Idaho National Laboratory, working on thermal-hydraulic simulations using Pronghorn.
FINANCE DIRECTOR
Casimir is a 2nd year student studying Nuclear Engineering. He has been involved in ANS as the vice president of the Penn State Student Section and is currently an active member of ANS. Casimir will intern with Constellation in fuel reliability and vendor oversight this summer.
ANS24STUCON@PSU.EDU
Last modified February 27, 2024, 4:00pm EST
