Alumni profile: champions of change
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Alumni Stories
Dorra Lajnef, Head of Service in Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas, worked on a feasibility study for the first NPP in Tunisia. She explains how WNU participation furthered her skills and career
I graduated in electrical engineering from the National School of Engineers in Tunis and I graduated in nuclear engineering from the National Institute of Nuclear Science and Techniques (INSTN) in Paris, France. Then, I joined the team working on the technical and economic studies for the introduction of the first nuclear power plant in Tunisia.
Before enrolling the WNU SI, I had three objectives: building large networks, learning and sharing experience, as well as bringing back a lot of fond memories. In fact being one of 76 Fellows from 30 countries during six weeks in the same place, was a great experience to make friends, to learn from each other and to share knowledge and experience. And during this training course, I had the chance to improve my leadership skills through the face to face with leaders from all over the world by learning from their experience. It was also an opportune time to reinforce my skills through working group sessions and co-working with “future leaders” with different styles of leadership, different cultures and different backgrounds. And this was challenging and helpful experience to enhance my ability to work within an international framework. During WNU SI 2017, I had the chance to improve my communication skills and learn how to build a successful team through the interactive platform Faber Fantasticus, leadership activities and Network for Nuclear Innovation projects.
WNU SI is a one-off opportunity to shape the future nuclear leaders. The main contribution of WNU SI is networking. In fact WNU SI allows building bridges between the future leaders from all over the world. Leadership skills are reinforced in different ways during six weeks; through the fruitful discussions, the outstanding presentations of the invited leaders and finally through the different instructive activities and projects.
Aysha's leadership skills developed quickly and she got promoted after the Summer Institute 2018. This is her experience of the Summer Institute, and how it relates to her professional development
At the beginning of November 2017, I applied to the Summer Institute because I believed it would be an extraordinary opportunity to challenge myself in the areas which I needed to improve on. The six-week program began with three weeks of lectures and group work in Busan, Republic of Korea, followed by a week of technical tours. During the last two weeks, we attended leadership courses in Gyeongju, and spent our final days working on Networks for Nuclear Innovations (NNI). Upon the conclusion of the program, I returned home with a wealth of knowledge and experience, greater confidence in my abilities, and new friends from around the world.
The Summer Institute curriculum is designed to provide cutting-edge presentations and workshops on a full range of topics relevant to leaders. The presentations generally take place in the mornings, after which fellows break into working groups composed of around ten people. Each group is assigned a mentor, who provided us with guidance when we faced technical or communications related challenges.
As an integral part of the WNU SI leadership development program, the Summer Institute includes presentations from invited leaders who have made notable contributions to the nuclear energy industry. These presentations enabled me to interact directly with talented and inspirational individuals, who provided us with remarkable insights into the industry.
Being the only female UAE National in the program, I sought to use every minute to my advantage by networking with other fellows. Being in the Republic of Korea linked me with the majority of whom are directly involved in the development of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in UAE. Every minute was valuable, and I explored to use each one in the best possible way.
As mentioned, we had the chance to explore our capabilities by working on an NNI project. Each group had to choose a topic related to nuclear energy, our group’s topic was about communication. We had to work on finding ways of changing public perception regarding nuclear energy.
After two days of brainstorming, we concluded that the best way to do so was to share our own personal experiences of working in the industry. For example, one of our group members was deeply influenced by the Fukushima Daiichi accident. He shared his story about the accident and how it shaped his thoughts and motivated him to work harder to ensure nuclear energy continues to be safety and quality led industry. Another group member had witnessed the Chernobyl accident and shared her thoughts about the event. In addition, two other members were pregnant, which was a clear testament to the safe nature of working in nuclear energy plants, and there was a fellow who had made a professional shift from renewable energy to nuclear energy, believing that we are all working toward achieving the same goals. All those stories had the potential to change perceptions about peaceful nuclear energy, because people can relate easily to personal experiences.
Overall, the WNU SI program was a great experience; I gained knowledge, excellent networking opportunities and valuable expertise in an important field. I encourage all of you not to hesitate to embark upon these kinds of experiences, go out there, get out of your comfort zone, and open your eyes and mind to the world and the wonderful possibilities it offers you. And never stop learning.
Eric Lemoine is the Director of the Systems Engineering Division at the Canadian Nuclear Regulator who built upon his experience at the WNU Summer Institute 2007 throughout his career
Eric completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at McGill University in 2001. Subsequently, he held various positions at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL, formerly Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, AECL). Eric worked at CNL for a total of fourteen years at both Head Office and the Chalk River Laboratories. While at CNL, the areas of expertise encompassed Safety Design, Licensing, System Health and Operations Management.
In 2007, while working in Operations at the Chalk River Laboratories NRU reactor, Eric participated in the 3rd annual World Nuclear University Summer Institute in Daejeon, Korea. Using his experience from the 2007 WNU-SI, Eric became a member of the organizing committee for the 2008 WNU-SI in Ottawa, Canada. In 2012, he was certified by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as a Senior Reactor Shift Engineer on one of the oldest operating nuclear reactors in the world. In 2015, he transferred to New Brunswick Power to work at the Point Lepreau Generation Station where he worked in system health. In the fall of 2016, he joined Canada’s Nuclear Regulator (the CNSC) at its head office in Ottawa, Canada, where he is currently the Director of the Systems Engineering Division.
Ayan Alimzhan is the Chief of Section Development Strategy Management at "NAC "Kazatomprom" JSC, in Kazakhstan. He attended the Summer Institute in 2015.
I participated in the 2015 Summer Institute, which was held in Sweden. The course took 6 weeks and included lectures by renowned world-renowned experts, leaders of companies in the nuclear industry, such as Hans Blix, Tim Gitzel, as well as practical exercises with visits to production and energy facilities of Sweden.
As a result, I gained valuable knowledge and experience exchange with the best experts in the nuclear industry, which I have been successfully applying for 4 years in my work. The management of the company appreciated my training and began to entrust projects important for the Company, which I have been successfully implementing to this day.
For 4 years I was the head of two divisions. Now I head the unit for managing the Company's development strategy, sharing my experience and knowledge with my colleagues. I feel that leadership qualities have appeared in me and my colleagues feel comfortable. The Summer Institute taught me a more responsible attitude to my work, and most importantly, to love what I am doing now. Thanks to the whole team of the World Nuclear University
Deni's remarkable journey spans from Indonesia to Canada to the Summer Institute in the UK. Read how WNU impacted his career in waste management, developing his perspective and interests.
Growing up in a small village in Indonesia made my childhood experience unusual. Back in my 1st grade, our first art project was making brooms from parts of coconut leaves (“sapu lidi”). We were only 6 years old and had to bring knives to school. In the end, we survived and learned where things were originally from. I could not imagine doing this project in Canada nowadays. We might have been in the news or our school permanently closed.
My passion is to continue learning as long as I can. After I completed my first engineering degree in Indonesia, I received scholarships and completed a master and PhD in Canada. My journey in nuclear Science and Technology (S&T) began in 2003 by developing a numerical model simulating one experiment at the Underground Research Laboratory (URL) in Canada as part of my PhD research at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. Just before I completed my degree, I was hired as a geotechnical engineer at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) in 2006 based at the URL. I worked on several multidisciplinary projects for Canadian and international clients and developed expertise in radioactive waste disposal technology.
Recognizing my potential, the AECL leadership team selected me to participate at the World Nuclear University Summer Institute (WNUSI) in Oxford, United Kingdom (UK) in 2014. Over the 6 weeks, we learned about leadership in nuclear S&T from leaders in the industry, mentors, and other fellows. We also had site visits and group projects. I realized the importance of considering a big enough picture and collaboration to successfully solve a problem. After returning from WNUSI, I started my journey towards becoming a strategic planner. Motivated by one WNUSI mentor, I am developing an interest in intergenerational Nuclear Knowledge Management (NKM) to address challenging long-term radioactive waste management.
Subsequently, I attended the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s NKM school and Nuclear Energy Management (NEM) school in Trieste, Italy. In 2016 I was transferred to our head office in Chalk River, Ontario and started my new position as a technical planner at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) (formerly, AECL) to support the Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) project. Currently, I am part of CNL’s waste programs working on our integrated waste strategy. I am also the principal investigator and project manager for the Enhanced Sealing Project (ESP), one of the first R&D projects supported by several nuclear waste management organizations to study the post-closure phase of an underground facility. This project has been operating for over 10 years at the URL site.
Looking back on my childhood, I would have never imagined this journey. Moving forward, I believe that my journey will be positive as I continue learning, networking professionally and spearheading collaborations.
Florencia is a PhD student in Nuclear Science and Technology at Harbin Engineering University in China who built upon her experience at WNU Summer Institute 2019 throughout her career and network
I completed my Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering in Mexico (2016) at Instituto Tecnologico de la Laguna. I continued my Master’s studies in Nuclear Power Plant Engineering in South Korea (2017-2019) at KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS). Currently, I’m studying my PhD in Nuclear Science and Technology in China (2019-2023) at Harbin Engineering University (HEU) in the specialty of Advanced Reactor Physics.
My area of expertise in Nuclear Industry is Nuclear Core design. Since 2017 I have been participating in the Technical Cooperation fellowship programs at International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for Supporting Nuclear Power Infrastructure Capacity Building in Member States Introducing and Expanding Nuclear Power.
In 2019, I had the opportunity to join the Summer Institute Program from World Nuclear University (WNU); 82 people from 39 countries were united to develop leadership, communication and management skills for the development of the Nuclear Industry.
Last year I arrived in China and it’s a great country where we can learn a lot of things about the nuclear industry and daily life. Unfortunately, at the beginning of this year, COVID-19 pandemic is affecting so many people around the world, and especially our daily life and activities. Even though this is a hard time; we need to keep a positive mind and attitude; and find a way to keep developing our activities. Technology is helping us through meeting applications to take online classes, join online webinars with the experts of our industry, write articles, journals, do self-study and work in projects by long-distance supervision.
This is a new opportunity to come up with different strategies and solutions for the benefit of sustainable and economic development in the world. This situation provides the chance to emphasize more in the projects in the nuclear industry that use Machine Learning applications and Artificial Intelligence. Wherever you are, do not stop learning and develop yourself because your knowledge and skills will contribute to the current and future solutions.
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Alumni Board
The WNU Alumni Board is a carefully selected cohort of our senior alumni who serve as a source of strategic inspiration and governance ensuring continuous improvement in the quality and relevance of our programmes and activities.
Saudi Arabia Ministry of Energy
Sara Algubaa is an International Relations Senior Specialist for Nuclear Energy at the Saudi Ministry of Energy. Sara's role involves serving as a delegate in the Saudi mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Sara is responsible for managing and representing Saudi Arabia in various nuclear energy forums and conferences, as well as handling international relations and cooperating with other entities within the nuclear field.
Sara holds a Master's degree in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Oxford, a Bachelor's degree in International studies from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Türkiye
Kübra AYDIN is an alumna of 2016 WNU in Ottawa, Canada.
Engineering professional with 10 years of energy field, mostly nuclear power plant projects, specialized and known for her achievements in the areas including nuclear engineering, nuclear licensing and safety analysis.
She received her bachelor’s degree in nuclear energy engineering and has a master degree in energy science and technology.
She worked for state owned electricity generation company on diversed projects including feasibility studies of nuclear projects in Türkiye. Currently, She is working for Nuclear Regulatory Body (NDK) of Türkiye and continues her PhD study.
Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A
From 2012 to 2022 he was an advisor to the National Atomic Energy Commission of the Argentine Republic. Since 2020 he is member of the Board of Directors at Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. and since 2023 he also serve as Training Manager of the company.
Throughout his career within the nuclear industry, he participated as an Argentine delegate in multiple bilateral and multilateral meetings related to the development of peaceful uses of nuclear technology, including the IAEA Board of Governors and the General Conference; the Plenary, Consultative and Technical Group Meetings of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the IAEA International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century, and the Annual Meeting of the World Nuclear Association and the Argentine Committee of the World Energy Council, among others.
Graduate in International Relations (Mention of Honor) and Fellow of the WNU Summer Institute. He also has postgraduate degrees in development and management of nuclear infrastructure projects; nuclear knowledge management; interaction with stakeholders interested in the development of nuclear programs; strategic communication for national nuclear institutions, energy projects implementation assessment and design, implementation and management of investment projects with external financing.
He is also professor in the Postgraduate Course in Nuclear Energy of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Buenos Aires and visiting professor in Graduate and Postgraduate courses such as the Master's Degree in Energy Management of the University of Buenos Aires.
Cameco
Dylan has spent his entire career in the nuclear field with Cameco. He began in 2007 with their corporate development department where he spent four years, and during which attended the WNU SI at Oxford University in 2009. Since that time, he has held numerous positions in the company, including in sales and market analysis; corporate strategy and effectiveness; and most recently was appointed vice-president, supply chain management.
Urenco USA
Paul serves as the Chief Nuclear Officer for URENCO USA (UUSA). Located just outside of Eunice, New Mexico, UUSA enriches uranium for commercial nuclear reactors for US and international customers and serves as the only centrifuge-based operational facility in North America. Paul is responsible for the nuclear safety, industrial safety and security of the UUSA facility. He ensures the plant is in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and the facility license.
Paul has served in a number of positions of increasing responsibility at UUSA which include, Compliance Manager, Deputy Compliance Manager, Head of Supply Chain Execution, Chief of Staff, Logistics Manager, Operations Support Manager, and Shift Manager. Prior to joining UUSA, Paul worked at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory where he was responsible for overall shift operations of a submarine prototype to train US Navy personnel on the routine operations and maintenance of a submarine engine room.
Paul has a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from Temple University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California. He is also an alum of WNU SI 2015 in Uppsala, Sweden
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
In his role as a Senior International Security Analyst, Mr. Lynch manages a large portfolio of international nuclear security programs supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). This includes the coordination of bilateral project implementation, development of collaborative programs with global partners, and advising on strategic security initiatives.
Prior to joining Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Patrick spent fourteen years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), supporting the Global Security and Nuclear Nonproliferation Program Office, managing the U.S. Department of State’s global security program.
During his time at ORNL, Mr. Lynch held professional assignments with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Department of State, and the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Nuclear Security.
Early in his career, he spent four years at the International Atomic Energy Agency, working in both the Departments of Safeguards and Nuclear Energy, and has participated in the International School of Nuclear Law, and the World Nuclear University’s Summer Institute. Patrick has earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, a Master of Science (MSc.) degree, numerous certifications, and will be completing his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in late 2024.
Uranium Asset Management
Caitlin Touhey works for Uranium Asset Management Limited, often colloquially known as UAM in the industry, which is part of the Westinghouse group of companies.
Since its creation in 1996, UAM has had a presence in the front-end uranium market undertaking all commercial procurement and supply activities on behalf of its parent company. Caitlin first interned at UAM back in 2015 when she was at college and continued to work for the company whilst she was studying for her Bachelor’s Degree.
On graduating from the University of Manchester with a First-Class Honours Degree in History, she began to work for UAM full-time, progressing through the company to her current position as Governance, Marketing and Risk Manager. Her Managerial role involves her leading the commercial uranium marketing strategy, risk management identification and mitigation processes and advising on all aspects of uranium market intelligence.
In addition, the UAM Board of Directors appointed her as Company Secretary to the UK legal entity in June 2021; within this role she is responsible for advising the Board on all governance, statutory and regulatory requirements in order to meet the company's legal, financial and corporate responsibilities.
Caitlin is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ambassador for the Nuclear Fuel Business Unit within Westinghouse and the Company Catalyst for the Young Generation Network, acting as the main point of contact for UAM to support the young workforce. She attended the World Nuclear University in 2022, located in Spain.
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa)
Mr Loyiso Tyabashe is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), appointed in January 2021. He is a professional engineer with over 20 years technical and leadership experience in the nuclear industry.
He started his engineering career in the automotive industry where he worked as a Production and a Design Engineer. Thereafter, he joined Eskom’s nuclear business, working in various strategic roles in Engineering, Operations, Maintenance Planning and Execution, Internal Oversight, and Project Management. His final assignment at Eskom was leading the nuclear new build project, a role which also saw him being part of key advisory structures of the South African Government’s nuclear build programme. He worked closely with key stakeholders in the Eastern Cape, Sarah Baartman District and Thyspunt where there were plans to site the nuclear power project.
In the course of his career, Mr Tyabashe has acquired vast global nuclear experience from the leading international nuclear organisations such as Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through participation in various energy- and nuclear-related programmes and as a participant in global panel discussions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, both from the University of Cape Town (UCT), as well as the Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) qualification from UCT’s Graduate School of Business.