MAE Students Celebrate Chartering of American Nuclear Society at USU

The American Nuclear Society (ANS) has officially established a student organization at Utah State University.

ANS is an 11,000 member organization that works to improve scientific literacy by promoting nuclear as a source of power generation. The organization has student charters scattered throughout the United States.

ANS Vice President Michaele Brady-Raap met with students in USU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering to present them with their official charter. Brady-Raap also serves as a chief engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

“USU’s ANS student chapter will act as a forum for the exchange of information on nuclear science and technology,” said Heng Ban, mechanical engineering professor and ANS faculty advisor. “The charter will also provide students with opportunities to explore professional development and engage the public through scientific outreach programs.”

Brady-Raap told USU students of the need for young professionals to replace the aging workforce in nuclear fields, especially in light of increased domestic and international energy demands.

“Global electricity demand is projected to increase 50 percent by 2025,” Brady-Raap said. “There is a need for increased energy infrastructure and, in the United States, the demand for nuclear professionals far exceeds the supply of graduates trained in nuclear science and technology. There are great opportunities for young nuclear professionals to contribute in these fields.”

Colby Jensen, a USU mechanical engineering student is the first student section president at USU.

“We have been working to establish an ANS chapter at USU for several years,” Jensen said. “In fall 2012 we formally organized interim officers and started planning our vision for a local chapter. Creating an ANS student section at USU seemed natural due to the high level of interest and involvement of USU faculty and students in the nuclear energy field.” 

Contact: Levi Gardner, levigardner6@gmail.com