ANS announces 2025 national awards
One constant at the American Nuclear Society’s national meetings is the recognition of exceptional individuals in the nuclear community. ANS President Hash Hashemian has named this season’s national award recipients. These awards will be presented next month at the upcoming Winter Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. The recipients of awards from the Society’s professional divisions, alongside Presidential Citations and the Nuclear Historic Landmark Award, will be announced soon.
Fellows of ANS
Kenneth Michael Goff, U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the effective and reliable use of nuclear energy in the U.S. and around the world, in particular through stellar senior leadership of the DOE, outstanding technical and policy advice at the DOE and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and significant technology development at Idaho and Argonne National Laboratories.
W. David Pointer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, for distinguished contributions to nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics and safety through high-fidelity simulation, development of advanced modeling tools, and leadership in national research and development programs, as well as impactful service advancing innovative reactor technologies and international collaboration within the nuclear engineering community.
Pedro Vaz, Instituto Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon, in recognition of his outstanding international leadership in radiation protection and shielding, pioneering contributions to Monte Carlo simulation methods, and decades of impactful service to the global nuclear community through research, education, and collaboration with international organizations and ANS.
Minami Yoda, Michigan State University, in recognition of fundamental contributions to the thermal fluids aspects of fusion technology, including liquid protection and gas cooling of reactor first walls in inertial and magnetic fusion energy. Yoda has coauthored more than 55 directly related journal publications, advised numerous graduate students, and participated in national and international design studies.Milton Levenson Distinguished Service Award
Kenneth J. Rueter, United Cleanup Oak Ridge, in recognition of his leadership at UCOR and the DOE, creating a new and durable legacy and providing clean land for cutting-edge missions, nuclear deterrence modernization, and continued economic growth for the state of Tennessee. Environmental cleanup has positioned Oak Ridge as the epicenter of America’s nuclear renaissance.
Darlene Schmidt Science News Award
Sonal Patel, Access Intelligence, in recognition of her technically rigorous and accessible reporting on nuclear energy. Her recent work covers advanced reactors, microreactors, spent fuel recycling, and nuclear power in space. Grounded in expert interviews and regulatory analysis, her writing connects complex science to broader societal impacts. Patel’s clarity and depth make her a vital voice in the nuclear renaissance and an exemplary candidate for the Darlene Schmidt Science News Award.
Seaborg Medal
Jess C. Gehin, Idaho National Laboratory, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to nuclear science and technology through his technical accomplishments and leadership in nuclear reactor physics, the nuclear fuel cycle, modeling and simulation, and reactor technology, leading to the first deployment of a new reactor at INL in 50 years.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal
Laura S. H. Holgate, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Organizations in Vienna, Austria, in recognition of her years of dedication to our nation in nuclear security and for outstanding service to the greater worldwide nuclear community
Mary Jane Oestmann Professional Women’s Achievement Award
Michelle (Shelby) Bensi, University of Maryland, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of probabilistic risk assessment of natural hazards at nuclear plant sites.
Askin Guler Yigitoglu, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in recognition of exceptional technical innovation and contributions to probabilistic risk assessment methodologies for advanced reactors and sustained leadership in nuclear safety and reliability.
Untermyer & Cisler Reactor Technology Medal
John H. Jackson, Idaho National Laboratory, in recognition of his leadership with the Nuclear Science Users Facility and the Gateway for Advanced Innovation in Nuclear at INL.
Alvin M. Weinberg Medal
John C. Wagner, Idaho National Laboratory, in recognition of his nearly three decades of leadership in nuclear science and technology, with significant contributions to the DOE’s national laboratories, groundbreaking research at INL, and influential roles in international nuclear energy policy and advanced nuclear technology advocacy.
Social Responsibility in the Nuclear Community Award
Alyssa Hayes, University of Tennessee, in recognition of her nationwide initiatives to boost representation within STEM and nuclear fields and to strengthen nuclear outreach to underrepresented communities. Her leadership highlights include the CRANE Foundation, Uncharted Waters programming series, and the 2023 ANS Student Conference.
Landis Public Communication & Education Award
Julie G. Ezold, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in recognition of her demonstrated passion for and commitment to advancing understanding and interest in nuclear science and technology. Her outreach efforts over the past year further exemplify the breadth of her commitment, spanning from very young students to college graduates and the public.
Robert B. Hayes, North Carolina State University, in recognition of his sustained and impactful efforts to improve public understanding of nuclear science and technology through social media engagement and accessible writing, making complex topics relatable and fostering informed dialogue on radiation safety, nuclear energy, and national security.
Standards Service Award
James S. Baker, Spectra Tech, in recognition of his excellent leadership, mentorship, and service to the criticality safety standards community, thereby educating and empowering the next generation of criticality safety engineers.
Young Members Advancement Award
Ishita Trivedi, Idaho National Laboratory, in recognition of her visionary leadership that redefined how we support and empower young professionals in the nuclear industry. Her initiatives have built lasting pathways for mentorship, visibility, and inclusion, impacting not just today's young members but generations to come.
Young Member Excellence Award
Julianne McCallum, Nuclear Energy Institute, in recognition of her outstanding dedication and significant contributions to fostering the development and engagement of young professionals in the nuclear community. As an active ANS member, she exemplifies the qualities underscored by the Young Member Excellence Award.
