Nuclear Criticality Safety Division

2024 ANS NCSD Honors and Awards Winners

Best Paper - 2023 Winter Meeting

Amanda Szasz
Accelerated Basin De-Inventory and Spent Fuel Project Criticality Safety

Best Paper - 2024 Annual Meeting

Luiz Leal
A Resolved Resonance Evaluation for 51V with Resonance Parameter Covariance

Outstanding Contribution Award

Theresa Cutler
"For your outstanding and impactful work related to improvements, collaboration, participation, inclusion, and engagement within the NCSD. You are being recognized for the tremendous value that you have added to the Nuclear Criticality Safety community through your selfless service and enthusiastic commitment to creating an engaging and inclusive environment."

Technical Excellence Award

B.J. Marshall
"For outstanding contributions in the development and application of nuclear criticality safety technology. You are being recognized for your years of technical accomplishments in your work related to core design, spent fuel and burnup credit for PWRs and BWRs, support of the DOE NCSP hands-on training courses, input on various DOE NCSP Integral Experiment designs, developments and testing of SCALE, S/U tools, and nuclear data codes, and involvement with the Cross Section Evaluation Working Group (CSEWG) and Nuclear Data Advisory Group (NDAG). Additionally, your support of the NCSD, serving as an elected US voting member for the OECD/NEA Working Party on NCS, and involvement in trainings at the University of Tennessee are acknowledged as having a significant impact on the NCS community both nationally and internationally."

Distinguished Service Award

Andy Prichard
"For outstanding service in carrying out the activities of the NCSD, including leadership in governance functions, the development of its technical program, the organization of topical meetings, workshops and tutorials, professional consensus standards, and other functions performed by special committees. The work you have performed in the NCS community has impacted many, if not most, of those that are a part of the ANS NCSD and your focus on inclusiveness and mentoring for early career members demonstrates outstanding dedication to the community."

Remembering Tom McLaughlin

Latest NCSD News!

Check back periodically for updates on upcoming news/events from the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division.

SAVE THE DATE!

Nuclear Criticality Safety Division 2025 Conference

September 14 - 18, 2025
Many Missions, One Goal: Collaborating for a Safer Tomorrow
Austin, TX, AT&T Hotel & Conference Center

Get ready for the next edition of the NCSD Topical Meeting. At this Topical, the top minds from the broad NCS community meet to collaborate on new developments in the field and discuss ideas on how to improve the industry for the next generation. From dedicated Session tracks like STACY Refurbishment and Restart to exciting workshops on Plutonium Chemistry, the NCSD Topical Meeting has opportunities for any and every member of our community.

The 2025 NCS Topical Meeting will be held in the vibrant and electrifying city of Austin, Texas. Austin is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World" where many well-known country music icons have their roots. Every night, local performers from all genres of music fill the air. Austin is also home to world-class barbeque, but its eclectic food palate has something for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy a long walk or bike ride along the river featuring a beautiful mix of urban and natural sights. Make sure to stop by the famous "Bat Bridge" at dusk for a truly unique experience. We look forward to seeing and collaborating with you in Austin!

Further information can be found at https://www.ans.org/meetings/view-ncsd2025/

NCSD Newsletter

Check out the latest edition of the NCSD Newsletter for the Fall of 2024!

2025 NCSD Pioneer Scholarship Applications are Open - Due February 1st

Are you a graduate or upper-level (junior or senior) undergraduate student? Are you involved in NCS work through your research, classes, or NCSD? If so, then the NCSD Pioneer Scholarship is for you! Applications are now open for this scholarship opportunity. Go here for more information and to access the application portal. Spread the word to your student friends about this opportunity to learn more about the NCSD and the NCS industry!

NCSD Young Members Committee

Are you an ANS young member? Are you early in your NCS-related career? If either of these traits applies to you, then you may be interested in the NCSD's newest subcommittee: the Young Members Committee! We are currently seeking members and participants to join us in activities specific to early-career needs, including professional development and networking opportunities. If you are interested and/or have ideas for kick-starting this new committee, feel free to reach out to the chair, James Cole (jrcole@sandia.gov), or the vice chair, Ashley Raster (arraste@sandia.gov), for more information!