UW SER to Host Academic Workshop to Promote Nuclear-Related Research Opportunities

“Research Explorations for Nuclear Energy in Wyoming” (RENEW) is the topic of a free academic workshop from the Nuclear Energy Research Center (NERC) in the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) Thursday and Friday, April 13-14.

The conference, sponsored by SER and Rocky Mountain Power, takes place in the UW Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 14. A networking reception is scheduled 6-8 p.m. April 13 in the SER Energy Innovation Center.

Led by NERC co-Directors Tara Righetti and Caleb Hill, the event will bring together experts in advanced nuclear energy topics from federal agencies, national labs and higher education institutions with the aim of facilitating discussions on emerging research needs, partnership opportunities, challenges and best practices in nuclear research, and resources available to researchers.

“In order to reach any net-zero goals, dramatic growth in nuclear-related research is needed, as well as increased support from government, utilities and the public,” Righetti says. “We need to connect researchers on the ground with existing resources and experts to strategize for the future. RENEW is intended to support individual research activities and cooperative projects.”

The collaborative forum will feature renowned experts and leaders in the nuclear field, including Kathryn Huff, assistant secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy; John Wagner, director of Idaho National Laboratory; Commissioner Annie Caputo, of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and Raymond Furstenau, director of the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Following the plenary session, attendees will break out into smaller groups with designated topics and speakers, along either a social and economic track or a physical science track. The breakout groups will explore, in depth, factors that may inhibit or promote future nuclear energy growth in the respective fields of study.

“There is a diverse range of topics relevant to advanced nuclear energy, and we need to address not only the scientific and technical challenges, but the regulatory, economic and legal challenges as well,” Hill says. “Through the breakout sessions, we hope our attendees will accomplish some in-depth and valuable discussions that lead to new ideas and connections with opportunities that will make those ideas attainable.”

While anyone interested in nuclear-related topics is welcome and encouraged to attend, the workshop is targeted toward active faculty, staff and students at UW with the goal of achieving tangible research opportunities, Hill adds.

Registration is now open, and event details -- including speaker bios, the current agenda and accommodation information -- can be found on the conference website at www.uwyo.edu/ser/events/conferences/renew/index.html.

For more information, email Christine Reed, SER outreach director, at christine.reed@uwyo.edu.

About the Nuclear Energy Research Center

NERC is focused on interdisciplinary nuclear energy capacity building across the UW community by connecting the university’s faculty and staff who are already active in research fields critical to the success of nuclear energy and developing collaborative relationships both external and internal to UW.