Research Center Director with 19 years of experience in research reactor operations and licensing. Extensive and in-depth understanding of NRC regulations, related guidance and practices, and their implementation for research reactors. Proven track record in achieving resolution of high-profile, technically complex regulatory issues. Areas of expertise in research reactors include:
- Safety Analysis Reports
- Changes, Tests, and Experiments Process
- Operator Requalification
- Facility Operations
- Emergency Planning
- Physical Security
- Licensing and License Renewal
- Radiation Protection Programs
Conducted US Nuclear Regulatory Commission sponsored workshops for regulatory bodies as part of the International Regulatory Development Partnership (IRDP) centered on aspects of research and test reactor regulation. This has included workshops for nuclear regulatory authorities of Vietnam, regulators from the member countries of the Arab Atomic Energy Agency, Romania, Thailand, and the Forum of Nuclear Regulatory Bodies from Africa which included Ghana, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal. The workshops have involved knowledge transfer of regulatory practices related to research reactors, specifically licensing processes, inspection programs, emergency plan inspection and review, licensing renewal, facility modifications, inspector qualification programs and enforcement. Additionally, coordinated and co-lead simulated research reactor on-the-job inspections held at an operating U.S. research reactor for current or prospective inspectors from the nuclear regulatory authorities of Thailand, Ghana, and Romania on three separate occasions.
Provided licensing task support including the generation of operational licensing safety evaluation report input for the Jordan Research and Training Reactor. Provided related support, including staff training, to enhance the regulatory authority’s regulatory infrastructure. And performed an in-depth evaluation of the inspector qualification practices and identified recommended actions to enhance the program effectiveness.
From 2005 to the present, serve as the Director for the Oregon State University Radiation Center and instructor in the School of Nuclear Science and Engineering. The Radiation Center is a multifaceted research facility specializing in research related to the nuclear sciences. The facility houses unique capabilities including the 1.1 MW Oregon State TRIGA Reactor (OSTR), a gamma irradiator, thermal hydraulics testing laboratories, radiochemistry laboratories, and extensive radiological spectral and counting equipment. Research focus includes reactor dosimetry, neutron radiography, isotope production, and radiation detection as it relates to non-proliferation. Extensive regulatory and license experience. Responsible for the coordination, submission, and review of a 20-year USNRC reactor license renewal application and a safety analysis report in support of conversion from HEU fuel to LEU fuel. Member of several reactor safety committees. Invited technical expert for multiple IAEA workshops, reviews, and meetings on research reactor strategic planning, utilization and operation. Author of numerous peer-reviewed articles, publications and presentations. Lead Principal Investigator on awards and grants totaling $5.6M. Co-Principal Investigator on awards and grants totally $6.6M.
From 1998 to 2005 served as the Reactor Administrator for the 1.1 MW Oregon State TRIGA Reactor. Responsibilities included safety analysis review, emergency response plan implementation, facility modifications under 10CFR50.59, operations supervisor, facility utilization, procedure implementation and review, and reactor operator requalification.
Served as Research Scientist with primary responsibilities for external dosimetry audit program, nuclear criticality technical evaluations and monitoring, skin dose evaluations, and development of an automated CR-39 automated counting system for neutron dosimetry.
- Certified, American Board of Health Physics, 2000 – Present
- Senior Reactor Operator, 1999 – Present
- American Nuclear Society, 1988 – Present
- Operations and Power Division Executive Committee, 2009 – 2011
- ASNI/ANS RARCC Standards Committee, 2007 – Present
- ANSI/ANS 15.11, Radiation Protection at Research Reactors, Working Group Chair 2008- Present
- ANSI/ANS 15.16, Emergency Planning at Research Reactors, Working Group Chair 2012 - Present
- American Board of Health Physics, 2000 – Present
- Health Physics Society, 1988 – Present
- National Program Committee, 2004 – 2007
- Continuing Education Committee, 2006 – 2008
- Chairperson, 2007-2008
- Administrative Dean, 2007 Professional Development School
- Cascade Chapter, 1997 – Present
- Cascade Chapter President, 1998-1999
- International Atomic Energy Agency
- Technical Consultancy (Workshop) – Doha, Qatar 2009
- Technical Consultancy (Workshop) – Kuwait City, Kuwait 2010
- Technical Consultancy (Meeting) – Prague, Czech Republic 2010
- Technical Consultancy (Training) – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2013
- Technical Consultancy (Workshop) – Bogota, Colombia 2014
- National Organization of Training, Research and Test Reactors, 1998 – Present
- Chair, 2006-2007
- Executive Committee, 2005 - Present
Ph.D., Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO 1997
B.S., General Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 1991