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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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What’s the most difficult question you’ve been asked as a maintenance instructor?
Blye Widmar
"Where are the prints?!"
This was the final question in an onslaught of verbal feedback, comments, and critiques I received from my students back in 2019. I had two years of instructor experience and was teaching a class that had been meticulously rehearsed in preparation for an accreditation visit. I knew the training material well and transferred that knowledge effectively enough for all the students to pass the class. As we wrapped up, I asked the students how they felt about my first big system-level class, and they did not hold back.
“Why was the exam from memory when we don’t work from memory in the plant?” “Why didn’t we refer to the vendor documents?” “Why didn’t we practice more on the mock-up?” And so on.
2023 ANS STUDENT CONFERENCE SPEAKER
Dr. Bahran is currently at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) where he serves as the Assistant Director as for Nuclear Technology and Strategy. Dr. Bahran received a PhD in Nuclear Engineering & Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute based on research sponsored by the US Naval Reactors. He also has a Dual BS in Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics from the same university. He began his career at Los Alamos as a postdoc in and went on to become a program manager and R&D Scientist in the Nuclear Engineering and Nonproliferation Division where he was a recipient of the prestigious “Most Promising Asian Engineer of the Year” for leading the development of transformative nuclear technology solutions. Dr. Bahran has held several adjunct faculty university positions and has lectured at 20+ universities; is a past Fellow of the MIT Seminar XXI national security program; served as an associate editor of the Journal for Nuclear Materials Management; and is the author of 65+ publications (including in Nature Communications) on a wide range of technical nuclear issues. Prior to joining the White House, he served as a Senior Science & Policy adviser in the Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy focusing on a wide range of strategic issues. For his exemplary performance during his time at the Pentagon, he received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.
Last modified March 28, 2023, 4:20pm EDT
