National awards to be presented at ANS Winter Conference

Fellows of ANS

Stephen M. Bajorek, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in recognition of his outstanding technical contributions in advancing the field of nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics-particularly his contributions in enhancing the TRACE code performance-and his leadership in the development of the NRC strategy for analysis of non-light water reactors, devising the BlueCRAB (Comprehensive Reactor Analysis Bundle) suite.

Travis W. Knight, University of South Carolina, in recognition of his creative leadership, with which he has advanced nuclear science and engineering education by building a new program at the University of South Carolina and securing novel collaborations to help make the region a hub for nuclear technology.

Lake Barrett, L. Barrett Consulting, LLC, in recognition of being a prominent spokesperson for the responsible use of nuclear energy and technology, especially for his work leading on-site NRC reactor accident recovery efforts at Three Mile Island and his efforts at the U.S. Department of Energy on the management and disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

Seaborg Medal

Hisashi Ninokata, professor emeritus at Tokyo Institute of Technology and visiting professor at 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

Kathryn McCarthy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in recognition of her enduring leadership, grounded 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 of the key role she plays as primary investigator for INL's Material Recovery Pilot Plant in building the nation's supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium for advanced reactors. She and her team have performed critical reaction tests needed for elutriation of high-enriched uranium.

Elena Tajuelo Rodriguez, ORNL, in recognition of 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

Vivek Agarwal, INL, in recognition of his career innovations that automate routine activities, improving the economics, performance, and capacity of current LWRs; and 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, ORNL, 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 is far-reaching and impacts both current and future generations of scientists.

Landis Public Communication & Education Award

Samuel Bays, INL, in recognition of his nuclear science merit badge and STEM activities with the Boy Scouts of America Grand Teton Council that engage scouts in Idaho, and for 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, particularly 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 ANS Young Members and give them an unprecedented platform to grow and succeed within the Society.

Young Member Excellence Award

Kelsey Amundson, Los Alamos National Laboratory, in recognition of her extraordinary service and contribution to the growth and progress of ANS Young Members. 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, INL, 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 INL Early Career Researchers Association, where he has provided guidance and mentoring to other scientists and made transformative improvement to the culture at INL. He has also excelled as cochair 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, significant contributions to the global nuclear community, and especially for leading IAEA initiatives to ensure the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

Standards Service Award

Larry Wetzel, BWX Technologies (retired), in recognition of over 20 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.

Presidential Citations

Corey K. McDaniel, Kiewit, for his involvement as president of the Pacific Nuclear Council and as 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.

Jeffrey C. King, Tennessee Tech University, for his activities and actions to support the U.S. goal toward space nuclear deployment and overarching efforts.

Arnold Lumsdaine, ORNL, for his continued contributions to the Fusion Energy Division and efforts to make ANS 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.

Joshua L. Vajda, 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.

Walid A. Metwally, ORNL, 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

N. Prasad Kadambi, Kadambi Engineering Consultants, in recognition of outstanding service to the nuclear industry and ANS in leadership on risk-informed, performance-based conceptual development and the implementation of that concept in the NRC and in ANS policy and standards.

Nuclear Historic Landmark Award

Armour Research Foundation Reactor, Illinois Institute of Technology. At this site on the Illinois Tech campus on Chicago's South Side, from 1956 to 1967, stood the world's first privately owned and operated nuclear reactor. The reactor was funded by Illinois Tech and 25 industrial partners to provide a new tool for industry to improve human welfare.