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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
November 15–18, 2026
Phoenix, AZ|Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
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August 2026
Latest News
Collaboration key to meeting 2050 goal, NECX 2026 panelists say
Based on attendee reactions at yesterday’s final plenary session of the Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX 2026) in Dallas, Texas, the response is mixed as to whether the United States can fulfill its ambitious plans to quadruple the country’s nuclear generating capacity by 2050. When asked whether the nation would reach that goal, a number of hands in the room went up. But when asked the opposite, several hands also went up.
Moderator Jon Colby told attendees to think positively about the long term.
March 6, 2025|5:00–6:00PM (6:00–7:00PM EST)
Available to All Users
This Educator Training webinar discusses what is either nuclear energy’s greatest weakness or greatest strength: nuclear waste. Chris Perfetti from the University of New Mexico’s Department of Nuclear Engineering will define nuclear waste, explore how much waste we have to dispose of, and review several options for nuclear waste disposal, ranging from the ideal, to the plausible, to the absurd.
Associate Professor, University of New Mexico, Nuclear Engineering Department
Christopher Perfetti is an Associate Professor in the Nuclear Engineering Department at the University of New Mexico. Prior to his appointment at UNM, Chris was an R&D scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he served as the Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis Method Team Lead for the SCALE Code Package.
Chris received BS and MS degrees in nuclear and radiological engineering from the University of Florida in 2007 and 2008, respectively, and his PhD in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan in 2012.
His research interests include sensitivity and uncertainty analysis method development, Monte Carlo method development, advanced reactor core design, nuclear criticality safety, radioisotope production, and radiation shielding. Chris has served as the Chair of the American Nuclear Society’s Reactor Physics Division, Chair of the Alpha Nu Sigma National Honor Society, Chair of the Trinity (NM) ANS Local Section, and Chair of the Oak Ridge/Knoxville ANS Local Section.
He currently serves as the Secretary of the ANS Education, Training, and Workforce Development Division, as the Chair of the Adult Education Committee for the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, and as the General Chair of the upcoming M&C2025 topical meeting. In his free time, Chris enjoys cycling, hiking, and taking his daughters to museums.
Chief Engineer, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Eric Loewen is the Chief Engineer and Manager of the Chief Engineer’s Office at GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, where he is responsible for leading the office in supporting new product and technology development, managing technical and enterprise risk, and mentoring and developing technical talent.
Eric graduated from Western State College with a BA in chemistry and mathematics, earned a commission in the U.S. Navy, and subsequently attended Navy Nuclear Power School and the Nuclear Prototype.
After his active Navy service, he earned his MS and PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Eric worked in private industry prior to joining Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as a systems integration manager and interim department manager.
Currently, he is chief consulting engineer at GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) in Wilmington, NC, where he leads GEH activities to deploy the sodium-cooled advanced reactor PRISM that can recycle used nuclear fuel from the current fleet of water-cooled reactors, as well as fission and eliminate weapons-grade material.
His US Navy leadership roles included: Naval Prototype Nuclear Reactor School Instructor; B-2 Division Officer, Nuclear Quality Officer, Engineering Officer of the Watch, Surface Warfare Officer of the Deck aboard the USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9); and Commanding Officer of two Naval Reserve maintenance support units. During his career, Eric received many honors and awards including:
