Skip to content
  • Scholarships
  • Honors/Awards
  • Nuclear Careers
  • Policy
  • Nuclear News
  • ANS Store
  • Join
  • Donate
  • Sign In
American Nuclear Society
  • About ANS
      • Mission and Vision
      • Society Structure
      • Governance
      • Position Statements
      • Diversity Statement
      • Respectful Behavior Policy
      • Donate
      • Trustees of Nuclear
      • Advertising
      • Join
      • Contact Us
    • About ANS

      ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.

  • About Nuclear
      • Nuclear Science 101
      • Nuclear Energy
      • Navigating Nuclear Curriculum
      • K-12 Programs
      • K-12 Resources
    • About Nuclear

      Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.

  • Communities
      • Professional Divisions
      • Local Sections/Plant Branches
      • Student Sections
      • Young Members Group
      • Diversity and Inclusion in ANS
    • Division Spotlight

      Education, Training & Workforce Development

      Education, Training & Workforce Development

      The Education, Training & Workforce Development Division provides communication among the academic, industrial, and governmental communities through the exchange of views and information on matters related to education, training and workforce development in nuclear and radiological science, engineering, and technology. Industry leaders, education and training professionals, and interested students work together through Society-sponsored meetings and publications, to enrich their professional development, to educate the general public, and to advance nuclear and radiological science and engineering.

  • Meetings
      • Upcoming Meetings
      • Meeting Calendar
      • Past Meetings
      • Webinars
      • Resources
    • Meeting Spotlight

      2023 ANS Winter Conference and Expo

      November 12–15, 2023

      Washington, D.C.|Washington Hilton

  • Standards
      • What's New
      • Purchase Standards
      • How to Get Involved
      • Resources
      • ICONS
      • Nuclear Standards News
      • Inquiries
      • Errata
    • Standards Program

      Standards

      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!

  • Publications
      • ANS Library
      • Magazines
      • Journals
      • NST Open Research
      • Books
      • Newsletters
      • Proceedings
      • Transactions
      • Special Reports
      • Subscriber Access
    • Latest Magazine Issues

      Oct 2023

      Jul 2023

      Latest Journal Issues

      • Nuclear Science and Engineering

        November 2023

      • Nuclear Technology

        October 2023

      • Fusion Science and Technology

        October 2023

  • Nuclear Newswire
      • Latest News
      • Buyers Guide
      • Ukraine Taskforce
    • Latest News

      Crews demolish second legacy Oak Ridge reactor lab

      The Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management announced it has completed a second of its 2023 priorities at Oak Ridge in as many months with the demolition of the Low Intensity Test Reactor, known as Building 3005, at the Tennessee site.

      Watch a video of Building 3005 and its decommissioning here.

  • Search
  • Scholarships
  • Honors/Awards
  • Nuclear Careers
  • Policy
  • Nuclear News
  • ANS Store
  • Join
  • Donate
  • Sign In
  • Home
  • Webinars

Meetings

Meetings
  • National Meetings
  • Topical Meetings
  • Student and Young Member Meetings
  • Cosponsored Meetings

View

View
  • Meeting Calendar
  • Past Meetings

Webinars

Webinars
  • Upcoming Webinars
  • Past Webinars

Resources

Resources
  • About ANS Meetings
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Electronic Paper Submission and Review
  • Professional Development Workshop Form
  • Session Organization Materials
  • Topical Meeting Forms and Instructions
  • Visa Application Information
  • Call for Papers Template

Guidelines

Guidelines
  • Guidance for Paper Session Chairs and Organizers
  • Guidance for Panel Session Chairs and Organizers

Hispanic Excellence in the Nuclear Field

September 20, 2023|12:00–1:00PM (1:00–2:00PM EDT)

All UsersAvailable to All Users



Join the American Nuclear Society for a special Hispanic Heritage Month event featuring a distinguished panel of nuclear professionals. Hear from some of the top speakers in the field as they share unique insights from their accomplished careers and discuss challenges and opportunities facing the future nuclear workforce, including what they see as the future opportunities for the Hispanic community in the nuclear field. A question and answer session with the audience will follow the discussion.

Panelists

Jenifer Avellaneda
Risk Analysis Engineer, Westinghouse Electric Company

Martín Nieto Pérez
Associate Teaching Professor, Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering, Penn State University

Monica Regalbuto
Director, Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Idaho National Laboratory

José Reyes
Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, NuScale Power

Moderator

Shirly Rodriguez
Nuclear Engineer

Panelist Bios

Jenifer Avellaneda

Born and raised in Mexico City, Jenifer is a highly skilled engineer with a strong background in the nuclear industry and international collaboration. Passionate about advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions, she is dedicated to shaping the industry's future. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energies Engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Mexico City (2018) with a specialization in Energy and Environment from the École Centrale d'Electronique in Paris, France, Jenifer actively participated in workshops, seminars, and coordination of events, showcasing her commitment to knowledge exchange and collaboration in the energy sector.

In addition to her academic achievements, Jenifer has made notable contributions to the field of sustainable energy. In 2018, she co-founded "Digital Carbon," a verification company focused on optimizing forest management and facilitating the buying and allocation of carbon credits for private businesses. As part of this initiative, Jenifer supported the development of an innovative application that provides valuable information about carbon capture, enabling companies to make informed decisions regarding their environmental impact.

In 2022, Jenifer obtained the Nuclear Energy Manager Certificate through the Nuclear Energy Management School, jointly conducted by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics and the International Atomic Energy Agency. This certification further solidifies her expertise in nuclear energy management.

Currently, Jenifer has been working as a Risk Analysis Engineer at Westinghouse Electric Company, in Texas, USA, since 2020. In this role, she conducts engineering evaluations related to risk for nuclear power plants, including modeling internal and external events. Jenifer's valuable insights and expertise support nuclear power plant operators in making informed operational, financial, and regulatory decisions. She collaborates with international customers, vendors, and internal groups, fostering productive engineering and commercial relationships.

Previously, in 2018 Jenifer served as a Technical Cooperation Trainee at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria. She developed new processes and financial reports that enhanced project management and visibility during her tenure. Her contributions also extended to content creation, as she prepared and published web articles for the IAEA's website, focusing on the Technical Cooperation Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Before her time at the IAEA, Jenifer excelled as a marketing and sales assistant at Genomma Lab, where she demonstrated her analytical skills and made significant contributions to organizational growth. She improved productivity, developed financial reports, and fostered strong customer relationships.

Moreover, in her free time, Jenifer actively advocates for the industry through social media platforms, notably on Twitter as @NuclearHazelnut. She uses these channels to engage with others and share insights about the benefits and advancements in the nuclear energy sector.

Jenifer's academic achievements, international experiences, and technical expertise have shaped her into a versatile professional dedicated to advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for growing the nuclear industry, she is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of energy as we work towards a greener and more sustainable world.

Martín Nieto Pérez

Martín got his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in 1997. He obtained a Fulbright Scholarship for postgraduate studies for the 1998-2000 period, which enabled him to get his Master’s (2001) and Docotral (2004) degrees in Nuclear Engineering, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He was a postdoctoral associate at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory from 2004 to 2006. From 2008 to 2021 he was full professor at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, within the Applied Science and Advanced Technology Research Center (CICATA) in Queretaro, Mexico. He was part of Mexico’s National Researchers System in the period 2007-2021 at Level I. He was awarded the Prize for Best Research at IPN 2010 in the category of young researcher. He has more than 35 technical publications in academic journals, and has participated in academic and technological forums related to nuclear energy and applies physics, both in Mexico and abroad. Since August 2021 he is associate teaching professor at the Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University.

Monica Regalbuto

Dr. Regalbuto is an Idaho National Laboratory and American Nuclear Society fellow who combines her expertise in separations, computer simulations, and proliferation risk reduction to make a difference for our Nation and its citizens. She has been a key contributor to the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear waste management mission by developing and demonstrating innovative nuclear energy technologies that have significantly advanced the scientific, engineering, policy, and regulatory aspects of the nuclear enterprise.

Dr. Regalbuto has served in multiple national leadership roles. Currently serves as (1) the Director of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Strategy, at the Idaho National Laboratory, (2) the Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board at the National Academy of Sciences and (3) the Standing Advisory Group on Nuclear Energy at the International Atomic Energy Agency which advises the Director General. In 2015, she was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Environmental Management for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In this capacity, she was responsible for managing the environmental cleanup resulting from weapons production as well as special nuclear materials. As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fuel Cycle Technologies with DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Dr. Regalbuto managed the nation’s research and development fuel cycle portfolio. At Argonne National Laboratory, Dr. Regalbuto served as the head of the Process Chemistry and Engineering Department in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, and she conducted petrochemical research with the Amoco Oil Company.

Dr. Regalbuto has over 30 years of experience in radio-isotope processing, recovery and immobilization for environmental remediation, resource conservation and medical applications. She has authored multiple journal articles, reports, and presentations and holds six patents.

Her education and awards include the following: PhD, Ch E, University of Notre Dame, 1988, MS, Ch E, University of Notre Dame, 1986, BS, Ch E, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), 1983, Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award, University of Notre Dame, 2023, Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Service, University of South Carolina Aiken, 2017, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary’s Achievement Award, 2016, 2013, and 2011, Professional Achievement Award, Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Award Corporation (HENAAC), 2007, Jane Oestmann Professional Women’s Achievement Award, ANS, 2007, Outstanding Engineering Achievement by the Illinois Engineering Council, 2005.

Dr. Regalbuto is a member of ANS, AICHE, ACS, SWE, and Sigma Xi.

José Reyes

Dr. Reyes co-founded NuScale Power, LLC, co-designed the NuScale passively-cooled small nuclear reactor and has served as the company’s Chief Technology Officer since 2007. He is an internationally recognized expert on passive safety system design, testing and operations for nuclear power plants. He has served as a United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency technical expert on passive safety systems, is a co-inventor on more than 180 patents granted or pending in 20 countries and has received several national awards including the 2013 Nuclear Energy Advocate Award, the 2014 American Nuclear Society Thermal Hydraulic Division Technical Achievement Award, the 2017 Nuclear Infrastructure Council Trailblazer Award, the 2021 American Nuclear Society Walter H. Zinn Medal, and 2021 inductee into the University of Maryland Innovators Hall of Fame.

Dr. Reyes is a fellow of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), a NURETH fellow, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. In the past, he has served as head of the Oregon State University (OSU) Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics, directed the Advanced Thermal Hydraulic Research Laboratory and was the Co-Director of the Battelle Energy Alliance Academic Center of Excellence for Thermal Fluids and Reactor Safety in support of the Idaho National Laboratory mission.

Dr. Reyes currently serves as a Professor Emeritus in OSU’s School of Nuclear Science and Engineering. He holds Ph.D. and Master of Science degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida. He is the author of numerous journal articles and technical reports, and he has given lectures and keynote addresses to professional nuclear organizations in the United States, Europe and Asia. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Oregon.

Shirly Rodriguez

Shirly discovered her passion for nuclear at the age of 13 in her native Peru. Many years after that discovery, she decided to pursue her dream of helping the environment and started school in the U.S. She now holds a BS and MS from the University of Florida in Nuclear Engineering.

Currently, Shirly is a Lead Engineer and focuses on the design and development of Advanced Reactor Systems. She loves new challenges that allow expanding her knowledge and interfacing with engineering peers to come up with innovative solutions.

She also serves as an Advisor to Pacific Andean Nuclear Power Services and Generation Atomic.

In her free time, she enjoys advocating for nuclear technology, getting women involved in STEM, traveling, hiking, painting, and dancing, Keep up with Shirly on LinkedIn.


Webinar Downloads

Statistics and Charts from Webinar
Receive Nuclear SmartBrief
Join ANS Today
Donate Today
Trustees of Nuclear
AMS
Clearpath
Constellation
Dominion Engineering
Lightbridge
Oklo
Paragon
TVA
Urenco
X-Energy
American Nuclear Society

Advancing nuclear science and technology for the benefit of humanity

  • Advertising Opportunities
  • Navigating Nuclear
  • Contact Us
  • FacebookFacebook
  • TwitterTwitter
  • LinkedInLinkedIn
  • InstagramInstagram
  • YouTubeYouTube
  • PinterestPinterest
  • Nuclear NewswireNuclear Newswire
  • Email ListsEmail Lists

© Copyright 2023 American Nuclear Society

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Invoices
  • Media