Fueling the Future: Exploring Careers in Nuclear Energy

Registration for Cornell Students
Registration for Non-Cornell Students

About the event:

Cornell NICE (Nuclear is Clean Energy), in partnership with the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Nuclear NY, and NYSERDA, is proud to host the first major nuclear industry event on the Ithaca campus. The event will be held on December 8th from 4-8 PM in 121 Atkinson Hall and will bring together students across disciplines including engineering, policy, environmental science, space science, medicine, and urban planning-to engage with experts in the nuclear field and explore related career opportunities.

The summit will feature a keynote address and expert-led panels on nuclear development, workforce education, and emerging applications, highlighting the connections between the nuclear industry and Cornell's diverse academic programs. The event will conclude with an employer partner networking reception in the Atkinson Hall lobby, offering students the opportunity to connect directly with panelists and other industry professionals, explore internships, and learn about career pathways in the growing nuclear energy sector.

Agenda & Speakers

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Agenda & Speakers []

Keynote Speaker: 4:00 to 4:30

  • Grace Stanke, Miss America (2023), Nuclear Fuels Engineer for Constellation

Nuclear Development Panel: 4:30 to 5:10

  • Featuring:

    • Oscar Leandro, VP of Corporate Development at NANO Nuclear Energy

    • Isuru Seneviratne, Director at LucidCatalyst, Board Member at Nuclear New York

    • Ryan Mott, Director of Licensing and Operations at Hadron Energy

    • Andrew Mauer, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute

This panel is moderated by Scott Gray, New York State Representative for the 116th District.

Education and Workforce Development Panel: 5:20 to 5:50

  • Featuring:

    • Joe Peluso, VP at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local 97)

    • David Canning, University of Rochester, Omega EP Laser Facility Manager

    • Tyler Citvokic, National Energy Education and Development Project, State Program Director

    • Leigh Winfrey, Director and Professor at the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime

This panel is moderated by Jack Hare, Cornell College of Engineering Professor, controlled fusion researcher.

Applications of Nuclear Energy Panel: 5:50 to 6:30

  • Featuring:

    • Pranay Kohli, Founder of Amidus and ACTIVEcharge, Solar and Wind Energy Consultant

    • Kevin Hickerson, Founder of Eathineering Company

    • A representative from CORE POWER

    • Zachary Koshgarian, Nuclear Energy Analyst at the Nuclear Innovation Alliance

    • Jessica Dominici, Medical Physics Resident at Novant Health

This panel is moderated by a representative from the Idaho National Laboratory.

Closing Address: 6:30 to 6:40

  • Information coming soon.

Employer Partner Networking Reception: 6:40 to 8:00

  • Featuring representatives from:

    • Nuclear New York (NNY)

    • Constellation

    • Nano Nuclear Energy

    • Hadron Energy

    • Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

    • Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA)

    • CORE POWER

    • Thorton Tomasetti

    • Earthineering Company

    • Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN)

    • National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) 

    • LucidCatalyst 

    • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)

    • SUNY Maritime 

    • University of Rochester