What drew you to work with the International Youth Nuclear Congress?
I really recognized myself in the goals and motivation that the group had. I hadn’t had any main contact with the group until its congress in Germany in 2014. The IYNC has a congress every two years. I presented my Ph.D. work at the time. I got so involved with the group that I became president of the organization for two years (2018-2020). I recognized the value of that community; it felt like a second home.
How did the work you did while in the IYNC shape what you’re currently working on with the Idaho National Laboratory?
Working with an NGO (non-governmental organization) definitely helped shape the way I’m thinking — out of the box. I was able to interact with many different people from around the world with different skills. And obviously, covering a leadership position, I think, really gave an excellent kickstart to my professional development. Another couple of things I recognize is that IYNC has given me the ability to communicate and collaborate in a multicultural and multi-diverse environment — understanding the benefit of an inclusive and diverse working environment, which is a very hot topic right now.
I saw a recent article in which you studied the structure of uranium using new techniques that weren’t available when uranium was last studied in the 1960s. Can you share with us the techniques you used, what you discovered, and how this can lead us in the direction of considering using nuclear energy in the future?
What we are doing now in Idaho has never really been done before. In the TEMs (transmission electron microscopy), we were able to have a very tiny amount of material, in this case, metal uranium, to study at the microstructure. We found that some of the phases of uranium passed through the transitions (when rapidly heated or cooled) differently than compared with what had already been (historically) established (with the material).
Will these experiments help you discover nuclear energy as a safe power source?
Yes. Indeed they do. I would say with these new techniques; we can predict more closely to reality how we can use the material — the fuel — better. This means that I can predict what can or cannot happen with nuclear energy with these new tools. It also helps with public acceptance.
I am so glad you mentioned public perception. Today’s common idea is that the public sees nuclear energy as too dangerous to use. How can we change that perception?
Every energy source has its own risk, benefit, and challenge. And accidents like Chernobyl didn’t give us a positive (outlook) on (nuclear energy). But now, I see the boat turning, especially with the new generation of engineers — not only nuclear but also mechanical engineers— working in nuclear power plants in research. They have not been influenced by past experiences. I see the new generation of professionals really being inspired and advocating for a net-zero, clean transition. They don’t want to have any mutations in the power source. They are individuals who consider everything with an open mind to see what they can do to reach a 100 percent clean transition by 2050.
How do you get young people interested in this industry?
The nuclear community, in general, is more open in communicating and advocating for the good benefits of this source. Current young professionals feel a sense of advocacy for Mother Earth. There is a push in America with fresh ideas, fresh minds out of colleges like MIT, Harvard, and Berkley. So, I see a movement starting in the U.S. and spreading throughout the globe. It’s also a chain reaction, right? When you see colleagues your age advocating in this field, it helps others engage with the larger community.
