Hispanic Excellence in the Nuclear Field

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 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.

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.

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 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.