2020 Honors and Awards Recipients

Presented to:

Dr. Rita Baranwal
U.S. Department of Energy

For leading the way to a new nuclear energy paradigm through visionary leadership that has spawned innovation by re-focusing the efforts of the DOE laboratory complex to advance the U.S. nuclear industry.

Presented to:

Prof. Yaron Danon
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

For significant contributions to nuclear engineering and science through novel experimental and analytical research leading to more accurate nuclear cross section data essential to the design of safe and reliable nuclear reactors.

Presented to:

Dr. Mitchell Farmer
Argonne National Laboratory

For innovative, sustained, and internationally recognized contributions addressing risk-significant severe accident issues in support of the LWR industry. His work has helped shape the thinking of the nuclear industry and regulatory bodies around the world regarding the efficacy of accident management strategies.

Presented to:

Mr. Dennis W. Henneke
GE Hitachi

For contributions to PRAs and risk-informed applications since 1982, including risk monitors, Fire PRA, PRA standards and Multi-unit PRA, as well as for leading the development of PRAs for ABWRs and SFRs at GEH.

Presented to:

Dr. Kostadin N. Ivanov
North Carolina State University

For sustained and internationally recognized contributions to multi-dimensional reactor physics, multi-physics methodologies and uncertainty analysis fordesign and safety analysis of nuclear systems.

Presented to:

Dr. Richard Lee
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

For sustained efforts to modernize methods for the safety analysis of power reactors including computer codes for fuel performance, neutronics and accident analysis, as well as for his contributions to international cooperation to improve the analysis of power reactors.

Presented to:

Dr. Thomas A. Mehlhorn
Mehlhorn Engineering Consulting Services

For scientific leadership in developing predictive simulation tools, discriminating diagnostics, and validation experiments, leading to major advances in the generation and application of intense ion and electron beams and Z-pinches for nuclear fusion, nuclear science, and defense missions.

Presented to:

Dr. Juergen Rapp
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

For technical leadership in fusion plasma surface interactions, including the development of impurity seeding to mitigate fusion power exhaust, and in the development of experimental facilities for studying plasma surface interactions at Magnum-PSI (Netherlands) and proto-MPEX (USA).

Presented to:

Prof. Kumar Sridharan
University of Wisconsin Madison

For major research contributions in materials corrosion and degradation processes in nuclear energy systems, and for impact on the nuclear industry through the development of improved fuel cladding concepts as well as education and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students.

Presented to:

William E. Burchill
ANS Past President and Texas
A&M University (retired)

For his demonstrated ongoing leadership and mentoring of future leaders and leadership in utility, vendor and university nuclear programs, Dr. William Burchill, is nominated to be recognized as following in the footsteps of Dr. Walter Zinn and making significant contributions to the advancement of nuclear energy in the U.S. and around the world.

Presented to:

Dr. Peter B. Lyons

In recognition of Dr. Lyons’ influential and prominent leadership in nuclear technology policy spanning five decades (1969-2015) and four institutions: LANL, U.S. Senate staff, the NRC, and the DOE.

Presented to:

Janelle P. Wharry
Purdue University

In recognition of her development of innovative methods for mechanical testing of materials under extreme radiation environments.

Presented to:

Rudolph Johannes
Maria (Rudy) Konings
European Commission, JRC

For numerous and pioneering achievements furthering our understanding of nuclear fuels.

Presented to:

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker
Stanford University

For sustained international leadership involving nuclear technologies, including the U.S.-Russian Lab-to-Lab Program that prevented “brain drain” of scientists after collapse of the Soviet Union.

Presented to:

Dr. John Bennion
GE Hitachi

In recognition of his lifelong service to increase public understanding of nuclear science and engineering by promoting the importance of professional licensure at the section, division, and national level.

Presented to:

Dr. Rebecca L. Steinman
Exelon Generation

In recognition of her unwavering commitment and continuous drive towards excellence to increase public understanding of nuclear science and engineering by contributing to the work of professional associations, schools, and the professional, scientific and technical press.

presented to

ANS Young Members Group

For outstanding leadership in generating digital content and creating value for the Society.

Presented to:

Dr. Andrew G. Sowder
Electric Power Research Institute

For years of exceptional service to ANS and the nuclear industry in the areas of spent fuel reprocessing and disposal, accident tolerant fuel, and nuclear fuel cycle analysis. This award will be presented in November.

Presented to:

Dr. Fiona E. Rayment
National Nuclear Laboratory UK

For her significant contributions to the nuclear industry across the globe and for her commitment to promoting diversity. This award will be presented in November.

Presented to:

Mr. Jeffery R. Brault

For his constant dedication and enthusiasm towards the American Nuclear Society, and sustained commitment to the Fuel Cycle & Waste Management Division’s mission. This award will be presented in November.

Presented to:

Mr. David L. Rahn
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

In recognition of outstanding achievement in the application of Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface Technologies.

For his development of methods and criteria for assessing the capability of equipment to perform reliably and for ensuring the conditions within nuclear reactors can be adequately monitored after a severe accident. This award will be presented in November.

Presented to:

Dr. Richard T. Wood
University of Tennessee Knoxville

In recognition of outstanding achievement in the application of Instrumentation, Control and Human-Machine Interface Technologies.

In recognition of his lifelong commitment and contributions to nuclear digital system design, licensing, and standards, with an emphasis on all aspects of digital system safety, reliability, and qualification in the United States and international communities. Presented in November.

Presented to:

Ms. Pareez E. Golub
Sargent & Lundy

In recognition of outstanding midcareer contribution to nuclear instrumentation and control technologies.

For outstanding and sustained contributions to ANS, HFICD, and the field of digital instrumentation and control, and for leadership in revising the NRC licensing process for digital protection systems and increasing utility confidence and clarity in the implementation of digital protection systems upgrades. This award will be presented in November.

Presented to:

Mr. Samir Darbali
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

In recognition of outstanding early career contributions to nuclear instrumentation and control technologies.

For exceptional engineering accomplishments in protecting public health and safety by ensuring the safe operation of nuclear power plants through advancements in the licensing process, SDOE and EMP guidance. Presented in November.

Presented to:

Dr. William H. Hannum

In recognition of his valuable contributions to the development of sustainable energy, in particular for his lifelong leadership and untiring efforts in advancing safe and environment-friendly nuclear energy by means of fast-neutron fission technology including its fuel cycle. Presented in November.

Presented to:

Dr. X. George Xu
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

For his legacy as a teacher, mentor, and researcher who has impacted a generation of nuclear engineers and health/medical physicists at Rensselaer and beyond.