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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
August 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
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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.
Award Recipient Photos
Honors and Awards Program
Dr. J. Wesley Hines
Julie G. Ezold
Deborah A. Hill
Sven Bader
Vladimir Sobes
Dr. Richard A. MeserveDr. John H. Hamre
Dr. Jeremy T. BusbyProf. Jin JiangDr. Stephen G. JohnsonMr. William D. Magwood, IVDr. Rajesh MaingiDr. James A. MormanDr. Robert W. Youngblood
University of New Mexico (Best Section)University of Idaho (Second Place)University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (Third Place)University of Wisconsin (Honorable Mention)
J. Wesley Hines
Piyush Sabharwall
Carl A. Willis
B. John Garrick
Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar
Oak Ridge/Knoxville (Best Membership)Eastern Washington (Best Meetings and Programs)Savannah River (Best Public Information and Education)Savannah River (Best Section Management)
Harold L. (Lee) Dodds, Jr.
Callaway Energy CenterAmeren Missouri
Prof. Poong Hyun SeongDr. Lewis F. Hanes
Caleb P. MasseyMajdi I. Radaideh
Yutai Katoh
NURETH-18Bao-Wen YangXiaodong Sun
Anna S. Erickson
Farzad Rahnema
Steven L. StammEric P. LoewenThe Navigating Nuclear Subject Matter Expert Team
Sen. James E. RischU.S. Senator for Idaho
Vivek Agarwal
Prof. Areg Danagoulian
Amy Harder
Patricia D. Paviet
Mr. Marvin S. Fertel
Jim KinseyMark Holbrook and Wayne Moe
James FlorenceIan B. Wall
UndergraduateUniversity of Tennessee: Equilibrium Core Design of a NuScale Designed Small Modular Reactor using CASL's Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA)Students: Michael Hines, Molly Underwood, Andrew Naylor, Madeleine Burrell, Logan Clowers, and Kalie KnechtAdvisor: Dr. G. Ivan MaldonadoRensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Design of a Zirconium Critical BenchmarkStudents: Ngai To Yu, Chad Meece, Robert Jacob, Gabriella Bruno, and Ryan O'NeillAdvisor: Prof. Yaron DanonGraduateColorado School of Mines: Fusion-Fission Hybrid Reactor for Waste TransmutationStudents: Yerkebulan Ali, Brian Arko, Jonathan Karpesky, and Adam ParlerAdvisor: Dr. Jeffrey KingUniversity of Idaho: Design of Molten Salt Nuclear Battery (MSNB)Students: Eugene Engmann, John Peterson, James Richards, Derreck Blight, Winfred Sowah, and Joseph WarnerAdvisor: Dr. Richard N. Christensen
Shripad T. Revankar
Dave K. Hayes
Prof. Xian-Tu HeDr. Patrick Mora
Mohammad Modarres
Southern Nuclear
James A. RippleSouthern Nuclear Operating Company
Ryan G. McClarren
Alyse S. Huffman
Paul P. Wilson
Ann S. Bisconti
