Upcoming Meeting
When: May 2026!! Friday, May 15th
Tentative schedule
6:00-6:15: Arrivals and sign in
6:15-6:20: Introduction by the NorCal Exec Comm
6:20-6:50: Dinner (food can be eaten during presentations too)
6:50-7:50: Presenter #1
7:50-8:50: Presenter #2
8:50-9:00: Social time, meet and greet
Where: Willard Clubhouse – 2720 Hillegass Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705
Presenter 1: Robert J. Budnitz
Bio:
Robert J. Budnitz, who has mainly been involved with nuclear-reactor safety and radioactive-waste safety, with one emphasis being on seismic safety. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, he remains active after having retired in 2017 from the Univ. of California’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Prior to 2002, he had a consulting practice in Berkeley, CA for over 20 years. In 1978-1980, he was at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as Deputy Director and then Director of the NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. He was also the technical coordinator of the NRC’s special inquiry into the 1979 Three Mile Island accident.
Dr. Budnitz will be presenting on “The Current Status and Prospects for Nuclear Power Worldwide,” covering the current state of nuclear power and the capacity for expansion — specifically through the development of small modular reactors.
Presenter 2: Patrick Poole
Bio:
Patrick Poole, a staff research scientist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He has worked extensively on investigating laser-plasma interactions and has several patented target designs. Additionally, Poole is a dedicated mentor for student outreach at the National Ignition Facility, having been a director of the NIF&PS Summer Student program since 2018.
Dr. Poole will be providing a talk regarding the general state of research on fusion technology, while providing a deeper dive into how current research at the National Ignition Facility may influence developments in fusion as a whole.
To cancel a reservation, please send an email to TBD with the subject line reading: ANS NorCal Meeting RSVP Cancellation.