ANS-sponsored 2026 WISE interns reflect on experiences in D.C.
This summer, two American Nuclear Society student members were supported by the Society in the Washington Internship for Students of Engineering (WISE) Program.
Those student members were Bradford Arnold and Blake Bird, each of whom had the opportunity to spend nine weeks in Washington, D.C., learning about the complex intersection between technology and policy.
Bradford Arnold: Arnold is a physics and chemistry student at the University of Texas–Arlington. Through the WISE
Bradford Arnold and Blake Bird in Washington, D.C., this summer as part of the WISE program. (Photo: Alan Levin)
Program, he was placed at the Nuclear Energy Institute headquarters. At NEI, “I researched how federal nuclear workforce funding reaches two-year college programs and presented a policy paper on that work at the Rayburn House Office Building,” Arnold told Nuclear News.
During his internship, Arnold was able to interact with several key nuclear figures in Washington. He had the opportunity to discuss his research with current ANS Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow Alyssa Hayes, staff from the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, the ANS’s public policy staff, and the workforce team at NEI.
Reflecting on his time with the program, Arnold said, “I arrived in Washington interested in the policy side of nuclear energy and left certain that is the career I want."
Blake Bird: Bird is a nuclear engineering student at Purdue University who is intending to pursue a master’s degree in health physics after graduation next spring.
During her nine weeks in Washington, D.C., she worked on a research project that covered both public engagement and education in nuclear, particularly during a time of nuclear expansion.
Like Arnold, Bird highlighted the connections she made as one of the greatest benefits of the WISE Program. “This opportunity allowed me to connect with professionals not only around the DMV [D.C., Maryland, and Virginia] but the nation, all willing to give me guidance on my project and my career,” she told NN. Particularly exciting for Bird was her chance to meet NRC Chairman Ho Nieh, who gave her insights into both his career and his thoughts on the future of the nuclear industry.
“Washington, D.C., had so many things to offer, and I could not be more grateful for this opportunity,” Bird concluded.
The WISE opportunity: The WISE Program allows the involved interns to meet with government officials and professionals in the policy field, supplying them with unique insights into the many facets of the policymaking process. Interns are housed at George Washington University at the expense of the WISE Program and receive a stipend for the summer.
ANS last sent two interns to D.C. through the program in 2023; Blake’s and Bird’s participation in the program ends a brief hiatus during which ANS was not participating in the program.
“I am very pleased that, after a short hiatus, ANS is able to participate once again in the WISE Program. Thanks to ANS Past President Gene Grecheck's generosity, the Society has established the Eugene S. Grecheck ANS Policy Internship, allowing undergraduate ANS student members to spend a summer in Washington, D.C., learning about and working on important technology policy issues. Bradford and Blake both did excellent jobs, and it was a pleasure working with them,” said Alan Levin, ANS’s WISE coordinator.
ANS student members interested in becoming a 2027 WISE intern must apply to the program by February 15, 2027. Next year’s program will from June 7 to August 6. More information can be found at wise-intern.org or by reaching out to Levin at alevin@alum.mit.edu.
