Chair
Emma Houston
Emma Houston is a graduate student at the University of Tennessee pursuing a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering. She received her bachelors from the University of Tennessee’s Nuclear Engineering Department in 2022. She is passionate about nuclear nonproliferation, international safeguards, and the technical and policy challenges associated with both fields. She is a Nuclear Nonproliferation and International Safeguards (NNIS) fellow where she studies advanced reactor safeguards. She was raised in Northern Virginia and in her free time enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, and playing for the Knoxville Women’s Rugby Club.
Co-Vice Chairs
Mitchell Mika
Mitch Mika is a third-year Nuclear Engineering Ph.D. student at the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering from the same school. His thesis will focus on metallic fuel characterization, particularly constituent redistribution of zirconium-containing fuel alloys. He also studies how advanced tools such as 3D-focused ion beam tomography can be used to accelerate fuel qualification. Mitch is supported by the DOE-NE UNLP fellowship. Previously, he has interned with Los Alamos National Lab, Brookhaven National Lab, and Framatome. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, rock climbing, and working in his backup career as a part-time art model for the local Gainesville community college.
Natalie Cannon
Natalie is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She earned a Master’s in nuclear engineering from Georgia Tech in 2023 and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Long Beach State University in 2021. Her master’s research focused on developing a regulatory policy framework to address nuclear proliferation risks associated with advanced manufacturing. Natalie works full-time at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where her Ph.D. work involves optimizing real-time neutron noise analysis for use with Fukushima fuel debris and critical assemblies. Natalie was the former president of Georgia Tech’s American Nuclear Society student section and founded the GT U.S. Women in Nuclear student chapter. In her free time, Natalie enjoys running, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and hiking.
Delegates
Hayden Bland
Hayden is a third-year PhD student in Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University, where he also got his M.S. in Nuclear Engineering in 2024 and his B.S. with a minor in history in 2022. His Master’s work was in molten salt fluid properties, with previous research being in the field of strongly-coupled plasmas. After graduating with his Bachelor’s, he interned at GE-Hitachi in Wilmington, working on the Natrium reactor. His passion for nuclear energy pairs well with his love for history, as knowing how the field arrived at this point is important to guiding its future. He also loves woodworking, whether making furniture or decorations, as well as sports such as hockey and soccer.
Liz Bramer
Liz is currently working on her master’s degree in Political Science from Indiana University Southeast. She graduated from Purdue University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering and a minor in Engineering and Public Policy. While in college, she worked at Perry Nuclear Power Plant located outside of Cleveland, Ohio in their Reactor Engineering division. After college, she joined GE Vernova Nuclear Hitachi in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she is a radiological analysis engineer. In her current role, Liz supports the current nuclear fleet and BWRX-300 small modular reactor design through safety analysis related to shielding and neutron embrittlement. Liz supports her local North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) as the communications officer and the GE Vernova Nuclear Pride Alliance as a founding member and communications officer. Through these organizations, she has had the opportunity to meet with her local and federal representatives and her community to advocate for nuclear energy. In her free time, Liz enjoys playing sand volleyball, hanging out with her golden retriever, Ellie, and trying new sourdough recipes.
Sarah Cole
Sarah is a senior undergraduate studying Materials Science and Engineering at Boise State University. Her research in the Advanced Materials Laboratory focuses on high density fuels, concentrating on conventional ceramic power processing and sintering of uranium nitride. Inspired by her research at the front end of the fuel cycle, Sarah participated in the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering program through the American Nuclear Society (ANS). She developed a research thesis on the High Assay Low Enriched Uranium supply chain, interviewing experts in Washington, D.C. across legal, regulatory, and technical backgrounds. Sarah serves as President of the ANS Student Section at Boise State University and as a Delegate to the President’s Council of Student Advisors to the American Ceramic Society. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Materials Science or Nuclear Engineering after graduation.
Thomas Deguire
Thomas DeGuire is pursuing his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University. He received his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in May 2021. His research focuses on developing approaches to apply nuclear safeguards to liquid-fueled molten salt reactors. More broadly, he is interested in the nonproliferation and safeguards challenges associated with deploying advanced nuclear reactors from both a technical and policy perspective. He is a current Nonproliferation and International Safeguards (NNIS) Fellow and a former president of the Texas A&M Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) student chapter. In his free time, Thomas enjoys hiking, reading and cooking.
Santiago Fajardo
Santiago Fajardo is a first-year student at Iowa State University pursuing a major in Political Science with an emphasis in law and public policy. Although not a nuclear engineer, he is passionate about the development of new advanced reactors, such as SMRs and microreactors, that will allow the US to transition away from fossil fuels. He is interested in the critical role of public policy and government in promoting those new technologies. Santiago first became involved in nuclear after attending the American Nuclear Society 2024 Student Conference at Penn State University. Outside of academics, he enjoys spending time with friends and family and is heavily involved in the community at Iowa State University.
Christopher Forsyth
Chris Forsyth is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His primary research interest is the economics of new nuclear power plants, with a particular focus on the impacts of regulations on plant designs, capital costs, and learning curves. Before attending MIT, Chris received a joint bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and worked as an engineer at Kairos Power. He enjoys kayaking and board games, and plays the trombone in a local brass band in Cambridge.
Ethan Krammer
Ethan is a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of New Mexico, where he also earned a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering and a B.S. in Mathematics. His research interests include Monte Carlo code development, reactor physics, and nuclear workforce development. Ethan has interned at Argonne National Laboratory and with Representative Steven Horsford (NV-04). Currently, he also serves as the Chair of the 2025 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Student Conference, the first national nuclear student conference to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In his free time, Ethan enjoys discussing electoral politics and spending time with friends.
Julia Marshall
Julia is an incoming PhD student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where her research will focus on magneto-hydrodynamic simulation tools for studying magnetic confinement fusion devices. She holds a B.S.E in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan and has been an active member of the American Nuclear Society and U.S. Women In Nuclear. Julia also is involved in outreach, particularly with K-12 students and the public. Beyond that, she is interested in the connections between fusion and fission energy, and exploring ways to advocate for both. Further, she is committed to efforts for accessibility and inclusivity in the scientific community. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and exploring the joys of German grammar.
Grant Mills
Grant Mills is a second-year master’s student in the Nuclear Engineering Department at the University of California, Berkeley, where he focuses on nuclear waste reprocessing and disposal policy. He also serves as a Technical Analyst in the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office, supporting the Civil Nuclear Credit Program.
John Mobley IV
John is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Engineering Education Research program at the University of Michigan. His research interests encompass education, training, and workforce development within the U.S. nuclear sector—particularly within the purview and framework of advanced reactor designs and technologies. He holds five degrees from Iowa State University: B.S. in Physics with a Nuclear Engineering minor; B.S. in Mathematics with Applications; Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Education Focus); M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration; and an MBA. He has prior experience collaborating with organizations such as Ames National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Exelon Nuclear, and the Nuclear Innovation Alliance. He is an active member of the American Nuclear Society, serving as an executive member within the Education, Training, and Workforce Development Division; Young Members Group; and Student Sections Committee. As a legally blind individual, John is passionate about ensuring that higher education is accessible and guaranteeing that all students have the resources necessary to flourish. In his free time, John enjoys going on long-distance bike rides, reading about nuclear history, and exploring new destinations.
Gabriella Oliveri
Gabriella Oliveri is a senior chemistry major at Reed College in Portland, OR. She is a licensed Senior Reactor Operator at the Reed Research Reactor. Her research at the Reed Research Reactor has been on thermal-hydraulics and neutronic analyses, source modeling, and radiation safety. She spent the summer of 2024 at Kairos Power as a Fuel Test Engineering Intern. Gabriella currently serves as the President of the Reed College Student Section of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), in addition to serving on the ANS Student Sections Committee, as a Division Liaison to the Nuclear Installation Safety Division of ANS, and as an associate standards committee member. Gabriella is passionate about diversity in nuclear, scientific education and communication, and nuclear advocacy. Outside of science, Gabriella enjoys rock climbing, fire spinning, and hanging out with her cat, Neutron.
Andrew Panter
Andrew is a Ph. D student at the University of Michigan, studying Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences. At Michigan, he has served as ANS Student Chapter Treasurer, President, and Graduate Student Advisor, where he passionately supported events, such as nuclear science outreach to Michigan elementary schools. Additionally, Andrew has facilitated the ”Macroethics—Aerospace’s Responsibility to Society” dialogue series. His research focuses on computational neutron transport, particularly in support of advanced reactor design and analysis. He has previously interned at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Argonne National Laboratory. In his free time, Andrew likes to go on walks and write music.
Nathan Ryan
Nathan is a second-year graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on developing fuel cycle transitions for advanced reactors and energy system model optimization of peaceful non-energy applications of nuclear power. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Physics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Outside of research, Nathan is a Vice Chair for the Students Sections Committee of the American Nuclear Society. In his free time, Nathan enjoys cooking with his family, painting cartoon animals, and trying to keep his plants alive.
Anna Schafer
Anna is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Georgia Institute of Technology pursuing a degree in Nuclear and Radiological Engineering. She interned with Southern Nuclear Company the past two summers, first in reactor engineering at Plant Vogtle, and then with PWR Fuels at the corporate office. As a junior, Anna served as the president of Georgia Tech’s ANS chapter, hosting over 50 events with a focus on advocacy and outreach. Through ANS, she was able to attend COP27 and COP28 as a delegate for a nuclear energy advocacy group. In her free time, Anna enjoys rock climbing with friends, making pottery, and cooking.
Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith is a Ph.D. student in Purdue’s materials engineering program and completed her bachelor’s in nuclear engineering in 2023. Morgan has been very involved in both nuclear professional organizations as the former president of Women in Nuclear and vice president of the American Nuclear Society, and Purdue’s Women in Engineering Program as a leadership team member in the Grad WiE Network and outreach team. Through these programs, she works towards creating opportunities for her fellow students as well as doing outreach in the local community to teach people about nuclear science and technology. Morgan has also been conducting nuclear materials research for the past four years, focusing primarily on fuel characterization of advanced metallic fuels providing experimental data to improve fuel swelling models. She is very passionate about environmentalism and preventing climate change, and her proudest accomplishment is testifying in 2022 in front of the Indiana State Senate Utilities Committee in support of SB-271 to allow SMRs to be built in the state of Indiana.
Nuclear Engineering Student Delegation 