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August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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ANS webinar looks at radiation studies and living near nuclear plants
In February, a study published in Nature Communications found a correlation between proximity to nuclear power plants and rates of cancer mortality. While the authors acknowledged that causation could not be established, they nonetheless said that calculations supported evidence of 115,586 “cancer deaths attributable to nuclear power plants proximity.”
On its release, this study garnered significant media attention—sparking worry among the public and immediate pushback from radiation experts. ANS recently hosted a webinar taking a deeper look at what that study (and other similar proximity studies) got wrong, the science behind what we do and do not know, and why these conversations matter.
2020 ANS Virtual Winter Meeting Plenary Session Speaker
U. S. Department of Energy, Retired
Alex Larzelere is the former Federal Director for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Modeling and Simulation Energy Innovation Hub. As such, he was involved with developing the original vision, writing the Funding Opportunity Announcement, and conducting the Merit Review Process that resulted in CASL. Over the next six years, Alex executed the “light federal touch” for the oversight of the Hub. Alex has been involved with advanced computing and modeling and simulation for about 30 years in a variety of roles. These include, running technology transfer programs, helping to start the Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI) for the simulation of nuclear weapons, working for private industry, and starting his own companies.
He is the author of, “Delivering Insight, the History of the First 10 Years of ASCI”. Also, Alex served in the U.S. Coast Guard, sailing on cutters in Southeast Alaska. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Alex Larzelere is now retired, traveling with his wife, Mary Ann, playing with his grandson, and writing his memoirs.
Last modified November 4, 2020, 9:43am EST
