OPENING PLENARY SESSION AWARDS

ANS Fellows


Dr. Stephen M. Bajorek
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Scientific or technical leadership in a nuclear enterprise of substantial scope.

In recognition of his outstanding technical contributions in advancing the field of nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics, in particular his contributions in enhancing the TRACE code performance, and his leadership in the development of the NRC strategy for analysis of non-LWRs, devising the BlueCRAB (Comprehensive Reactor Analysis Bundle) suite.


Prof. Travis W. Knight
North Carolina State University

Outstanding leadership as a teacher in the nuclear field.

In recognition of his creative leadership that has advanced nuclear science and engineering education by building a new program at the University of South Carolina together with novel collaborations to help make the region a hub for nuclear technology.


Lake Barrett
L. Barrett Consulting, LLC

Outstanding efforts in the areas of nuclear health, safety, safeguards, or regulation.

In recognition of being a prominent spokesperson for the responsible use of nuclear energy and technology. Especially, for leading onsite Nuclear Regulatory Commission reactor accident recovery efforts at Three Mile Island and the Department of Energy work on the management and disposal of high-level radioactive waste.


Seaborg Medal


Dr. Hisashi Ninokata
Politecnico di Milano

In recognition of his seminal contributions to the field of computational thermal-hydraulics and his internationally recognized contributions to the development and safety analysis of liquid metal reactors.


E. Gail de Planque Medal


Dr. Kathryn McCarthy
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In recognition for her enduring leadership, supported by a deep understanding of nuclear science and engineering, which has supported and continues to support national and international programs in both fusion and fission power engineering.


Mary Jane Oestmann Professional Women’s Achievement Award


Amy Welty
Idaho National Laboratory

In recognition for her key role in building the nation’s supply of high assay low enriched uranium for advanced reactors as primary investigator for Idaho National Laboratory’s Material Recovery Pilot Plant (MRPP). She and her team have performed critical reaction tests needed for elutriation of high enriched uranium.


Dr. Elena Tajuelo Rodriguez
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In recognition for her pioneering research on irradiation effects in nuclear concrete materials to advance scientific knowledge, and her dedication to mentoring and inspiring women in nuclear engineering.


Untermyer & Cisler Reactor Technology Medal


Dr. Vivek Agarwal
Idaho National Laboratory

In recognition for his career innovations that automate routine activities, improving the economics, performance, and capacity of current light water reactors. Also, for pioneering new processes for higher levels of automation across different reactor technologies using artificial intelligence and machine learning.


Social Responsibility in the Nuclear Community Award


Clarice Phelps
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In recognition of her dedication and sustained outreach efforts to promote diversity, equality and inclusion in the scientific community and beyond. Her passion for providing science and technology education and opportunities to young people in underserved communities are broad-reaching and impacts both current and future generations of scientists.


Landis Public Communication & Education Award


Samuel Bays
Idaho National Laboratory

In recognition of his Nuclear Science Merit Badge and STEM activities with the BSA Grand Teton Council that engage scouts in Idaho, and his dedication to mentoring young people to consider a career in nuclear science.


Steve Rae
Heyward Incorporated (retired)

In recognition of his effective advocacy on behalf of nuclear technology, nuclear education, and workforce development in North Carolina and nationally. In particular, his founding of the North Carolina Nuclear Energy Industry Advisory Council.


Young Members Advancement Award


Kenneth Petersen
KSP Consulting

In recognition of his tireless effort to raise up Young Members and give them an unprecedented platform to grow and succeed within the American Nuclear Society. Your contributions to Young Members will not be soon forgotten.


Young Member Excellence Award


Kelsey Amundson
Los Alamos National Laboratory

In recognition of her extraordinary service and contribution to the growth and progress of Young Members in the American Nuclear Society. She has championed YM causes for over a decade, and her efforts have led to unprecedented success for Young Members and the Society at large.


Pierre-Clement Simon
Idaho National Laboratory

In recognition of his breakthroughs in fission and fusion research, where he has developed advanced modeling and simulation tools to accelerate energy deployment as well as his role as chair of the Idaho National Laboratory Early Career Researchers Association, where he has provided guidance and mentoring to other scientists and made transformative improvement to the culture at Idaho National Laboratory. In addition to his work at INL, PC has also excelled as co-chair of the YMG programming committee, where his dedication to organizing quality content has inspired countless Young Members.


Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award


Rafael Mariano Grossi
International Atomic Energy Agency

In recognition of his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to nuclear safety, and significant contributions to the global nuclear community. Especially, for leading IAEA initiatives to ensure the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.


Standards Service Award


Larry Wetzel
BWXT (Retired)

In recognition of over twenty years of participation and leadership in ANS-8 standards, service on the Nuclear Criticality Safety Consensus Committee, work stressing the importance of standards to young professionals, and efforts highlighting the importance of synergy among the ANSI/ANS standards to maintain safe operation of nuclear facilities.

Awards Not Presented

Nuclear Historic Landmark Award


Armour Research Foundation Reactor
Illinois Institute of Technology

At this site, from 1956 to 1967, stood the world’s first privately owned and operated nuclear reactor, here on the Illinois Tech campus on Chicago’s south side. The reactor was funded by Illinois Tech and 25 industrial partners to provide a new tool for industry to improve human welfare.


Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship


Jacob Christensen
Brigham Young University


Dr. Michael Woosley
Data Development Partners



COmmittee Awards

Local Section Meritorious Awards (ETWDD & LSC)


The Local Section Meritorious Award is presented to the ANS local sections that have conducted the most worthwhile events; have shown outstanding membership growth, participation, and administration during the award year.

This year’s recipients are:

Trinity Local Section
Best Overall

Arizona Local Section
Best Meetings and Programs

Savannah River Local Section
Best Public Information & Education and Best Membership

Idaho Local Section
Best Section Management


Samuel Glasstone Awards (ETWDD & SSC)


The Samuel Glasstone Award recognizes outstanding ANS Student Sections.

This year’s recipients are:

Best Section (tie)
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Pennsylvania State University

Second Place (tie)
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign

University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez



Tuesday Plenary AWARDS

Presidential Citations


Dr. Corey K. McDaniel
Kiewit

For his involvement as president of the Pacific Nuclear Council and general chair of the PBNC 2024. Over the years, he has gone all out for the Society, including establishing an ANS local section in India while working abroad.


Prof. Jeffrey C. King
Tennessee Tech University

For his activities and actions to support the US goal towards space nuclear deployment and overarching efforts.


Dr. Arnold Lumsdaine
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

For his continued contributions to the Fusion Energy Division and efforts to make the American Nuclear Society a place for fusion engineers.


Catherine M. Prat
Westinghouse Electric Company

For her work in organizing and moderating the President’s Special Session at the 2024 Annual Conference and for her significant contributions to the development of the Licensing and Regulation Certificate and participation on the ANS Special Committee on Certification.


Dr. Joshua L. Vajda
UCOR United Cleanup Oak Ridge

For his extraordinary contributions to the development of the Licensing and Regulation Certificate and for his leadership in creating the Certified Nuclear Professional exam and participation on the ANS Special Committee on Certification.


Dr. Walid A. Metwally
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

For his exemplary leadership in the development of the Nuclear 101 Certificate Course and for his significant contributions to the ANS Special Committee on Certification.


Milton Levenson Distinguished Service Award


Dr. N. Prasad Kadambi
Kadambi Engineering Consultants

In recognition of outstanding service to the nuclear industry and the ANS in leadership on risk-informed, performance-based conceptual development and the implementation of that concept in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and ANS policy and standards.

Division Awards

Mark Mills Award (ETWDD)


David Reger
Idaho National Laboratory

For his work entitled: Improving the modeling of near-wall interphase heat transfer in porous media models of Pebble Bed Reactors.



Robert L. Long Training Excellence Award (ETWDD)


David W. Helling
Westinghouse

In recognition of over fifty years of engagement and leadership in naval, commercial and university nuclear training and education.



Radiation Science & Technology Award (IRD)


Prof. Steven Biegalski
Georgia Institute of Technology

For his significant impact in radiological science by establishing nuclear analytical methods for energy storage materials characterization, developing isotopically pure radioxenon production to support global nuclear monitoring efforts, and advancing nuclear forensics.


Theos J. “Tommy” Thompson Award (NISD)


Dr. Nathan O. Siu
U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

For exceptional contributions to fire risk analysis, uncertainty analysis, and dynamic probabilistic risk assessment.


RRSD Significant Achievement Award (RRSD)


David C. Dunning
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

In recognition of being instrumental in the development of the remote handling processes and the tooling required to support the first-of-its-kind mercury process system at ORNL’s Spallation Neutron Source (SNS).


Ray Goertz Award (RRSD)


Prof. James S. Tulenko
University of Florida

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of Robotics and Remote Technology.


Bal-Raj Sehgal Memorial Award (THD)


Dr. Igor Bolotnov
North Carolina State University

For his innovative research contributions to reactor thermal hydraulics and safety modeling through the state-of-the-art high resolution computational techniques.


Technical Achievement Award (THD)


Dr. Xiaodong Sun
University of Michigan

For his significant technical contributions in advancing the fundamental knowledge of thermal hydraulics through experiments, yielding novel insights and improving modeling to support nuclear power utilization.


Student Design Competition (ETWDD)


Teams will present their work in Canaveral 1 on Monday, November 18, 2024 from 3:15–5:00 PM EST.

The following are the finalists in the undergraduate category (in no particular order):

Radiological Assay of Burrowing Animals
University Tennessee, Knoxville
Authors: Evan Godbehere, James Pierce, Kip Wheeler, and Jolyne Worthy

Event Sequence Quantification and Consequence Development of the Full Scope Dynamic Probabilistic Risk Assessment for PULSTAR Research Reactor
North Carolina State University
Authors: Lauren Kohler, Noah Etter, Nolan Ritchie, and Mihai A. Diaconeasa

Investigating a Fast Static Fueled Molten Salt Reactor for Wasteburning
Georgia Institute of Technology
Authors: Matthew Louis, Nathan Tanzosch, Jaden Minnick, and Alicia Borel

Utilizing AP1000 TPBAR Optimization to meet Fusion Energy Tritium Demand
Texas A&M University
Authors: Aaron Rodriguez, Bryce Harris, Camden Ulteig, Marion Munoz, and William Reed

Last modified October 22, 2024, 11:07am EDT