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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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!
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
2023 ANS STUDENT CONFERENCE SPEAKER
Dr. Bahran is currently at the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) where he serves as the Assistant Director as for Nuclear Technology and Strategy. Dr. Bahran received a PhD in Nuclear Engineering & Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute based on research sponsored by the US Naval Reactors. He also has a Dual BS in Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics from the same university. He began his career at Los Alamos as a postdoc in and went on to become a program manager and R&D Scientist in the Nuclear Engineering and Nonproliferation Division where he was a recipient of the prestigious “Most Promising Asian Engineer of the Year” for leading the development of transformative nuclear technology solutions. Dr. Bahran has held several adjunct faculty university positions and has lectured at 20+ universities; is a past Fellow of the MIT Seminar XXI national security program; served as an associate editor of the Journal for Nuclear Materials Management; and is the author of 65+ publications (including in Nature Communications) on a wide range of technical nuclear issues. Prior to joining the White House, he served as a Senior Science & Policy adviser in the Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Policy focusing on a wide range of strategic issues. For his exemplary performance during his time at the Pentagon, he received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.
Last modified March 28, 2023, 4:20pm EDT
