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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jul 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
The human factor in licensing and operating the next generation of nuclear plants
As human factors specialists working at the intersection of human performance and nuclear operations, we are witnessing one of the nuclear sector’s most significant transitions in decades. The emergence of small modular reactors, microreactors, and other advanced designs is reshaping the industry’s landscape. Digital instrumentation and controls, passive safety systems, and increased automation are creating opportunities for greater safety margins and more flexible operation. These same features also fundamentally redefine what it means to “operate” a nuclear plant. Interactions among human roles, automation, and passive systems shape how people maintain awareness, exercise judgment, and intervene when necessary. These developments affect both operational realities and the regulatory foundations on which nuclear safety is built.
2021 ANS Winter Meeting and Technology Expo
Chief Technology Officer
SHINE
Dr. Radel has served as SHINE’s Chief Technology Officer since April 2021. He has over 20 years of R&D experience on a variety of fusion, fission, and particle accelerator technologies that are directly applicable to SHINE’s core technologies and is licensed as a Professional Engineer. From 2011 to 2021, Dr. Radel served as the CEO and Board Member of Phoenix Nuclear Labs where he led dozens of technical projects related to neutron generation and neutron-based detection methods. Prior to joining Phoenix, he served as a Senior Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories where he worked to develop space nuclear power systems. Dr. Radel holds a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his research focused on high-flux fusion neutron generation for detecting clandestine materials such as HEU.
