An ANS representative presents awards to, left to right, Fan Zhang, Alex Wheeler, and Amanda Bachmann at the ANS student conference.
Nuclear Engineering graduate students Fan Zhang and Alex Wheeler, along with undergraduate student Amanda Bachmann, each received awards for their research papers and presentations at the 2019 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Student Conference, held April 4–6 in Richmond, Virginia.
The ANS Student Conference showcases the research and work of students in the field of nuclear science and technology. This work includes undergraduate research, senior design projects, and summer internship work, which is peer reviewed at the conference.
Zhang received the award for Top Paper Submission and Best Presentation in the cybersecurity awards, while Wheeler and Bachmann received awards for their papers and presentations in the area of international safeguards in the nuclear industry.
“I am so honored to be selected for these awards, and this strengthens my confidence in my research: using data to defend the nuclear sector from cyber threats,” said Zhang.
Wheeler noted that the conference provided an excellent platform to showcase work and an opportunity to meet with several companies in the nuclear industry.
—Alex Wheeler
Bachmann was able to push through a sickness which affected her voice to still present her research.
“Winning an award for my work this year was a great accomplishment for me,” said Bachmann. “Even fighting sickness I was able to effectively communicate my work and its importance to international safeguards.”
Jamie Coble, Assistant Professor and Southern Company Faculty Fellow, said the ANS Student Conference is a great opportunity for students to meet and network with students from other universities and to share all the interesting and exciting research they are doing.
“This year, an outstanding group of students attended the conference and represented our department to students and faculty across the country,” she said. “The recognitions our students received as part of the ANS student conference speak to the innovative, interesting research they are involved in.”