Science and technology is the beating heart of NNL. The NuClear Science: Webcast series is a key part of our ambition to showcase the transformative impact of our work, as well as the work of our collaborators and partners. The second instalment in the series will take place on Thursday 5th September between 2 and 3 pm BST.
What will be discussed?
The webcast series is your chance to put questions to experts from across the industry.
Fuelling the Future is all about different aspects of nuclear fuel. Join us to find out about what is involved in designing nuclear fuel for different reactor types, the nuances of fuel manufacture, and learn about what must be considered when developing fuel to be resilient in a wide variety of scenarios, including disposal.
Your attendance at the webcast is our key to success. We want you deepen your knowledge of nuclear technology and learn from the experts. You are invited to be part of this stimulating discussion.
Who will we be joined by?
Our panel of engaging and expert speakers come from different sectors and are knowledgeable about fundamental scientific research, fuel manufacturing, nuclear reactor technologies and international collaborations. They are joined by Dr Sophie Cooper who will facilitate the discussion and field your questions. Read more about them below:
Dave Goddard, Senior Fellow at National Nuclear Laboratory
Dave Goddard
Senior Fellow in Fuel Manufacture, National Nuclear Laboratory
Based at NNL’s Preston Laboratory, Dave provides specialist technical support to fuel manufacturing operations in the UK and leads the fuels projects that form part of the Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme. This includes developing fuels with enhanced accident tolerance and coated particle fuels for next generation high temperature reactors. Dave works closely with both industry and academia, looking for ways that NNL can take ideas and move them towards commercial application. He is also a fellow of the institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining, and a visiting professor at The University of Manchester and Bangor University.
Dr Cathy Thiriet, Technical Manager, Canadian National Laboratories
Dr Cathy Thiriet
Technical Manager, Canadian National Laboratories
Dr Catherine (Cathy) Thiriet has been the technical manager for the advanced fuels and materials program at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) since April 2023, with an overarching understanding and vision of nuclear and structural materials employed in Advanced and Small Modular Reactors in Canada. In this role, Dr Thiriet provides strategic recommendations and guidance to a multidisciplinary team executing CNL’s clean energy vision including serving federal clients, developing new commercial S&T opportunities and providing support for the SMR deployment project at CNL. She represents CNL and Canada on a number of domestic and international working groups (such as Generation IV International Forum) and committees with the Head of Advanced Reactors Directorate.
Dr Thiriet joined Atomic Energy Canada Limited (AECL), now CNL, in 2006 as a research scientist, applying her practical skills and expertise in supervising and contributing to various nuclear safety experiments. She also has extensive experience in fuel fabrication, characterization, and performance, including TRISO–based fuels. One of her most recent significant achievements was leading the fuel fabrication campaign to refuel the SLOWPOKE research reactor at the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston.
Prior to starting at AECL, Dr Thiriet worked for four years as a contractual scientific officer and post-doctoral fellow at the European Union Joint Research Center (JRC) in Karlsruhe, Germany, where she developed a successful synthesis method for plutonium orthophosphate, characterized its thermodynamics properties, and participated in designing and testing a new apparatus for quantitative measurements of helium release from irradiated fuel. Dr Thiriet obtained her PhD degree in 2002 from the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Program of the Scientific Centre of Orsay, University Paris XI and Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique (CEA) of Cadarache, France.
David Eaves, EHS&Q Director and Chief Technical Officer, Westinghouse Springfields
David Eaves
EHS&Q Director and Chief Technical Officer, Westinghouse Springfields
David has over 25 years’ experience in the nuclear sector and began his career as an apprentice electrician and instrumentation technician at BNFL Springfields. He then went on to study engineering at the university of Cambridge. David then returned to Springfields and initially worked in operational management roles. During this time, he gained experience of managing safety cases alongside operational safety, quality and delivery.
David then moved into a process improvement role and undertook training as a lean Sigma Blackbelt which built on his data driven approach to problem solving. He was placed within the technical team where he continued to support process improvement and strategic problem solving across the site.
Over time this role evolved into research and development, focussing on supporting complex residues. David was also the technical lead on a project where first-of-a-kind product lead Test Assemblies were successfully placed in a commercial reactor.
Dr Phylis Makurunje, Lecturer and researcher at Bangor University
Dr Phylis Makurunje
Lecturer and researcher, Nuclear Futures Institute, Bangor University
Dr Phylis Makurunje is a forward-looking and impact-driven materials engineer who was recently appointed a lecturer at Bangor University and researcher in the Uranic Innovation Centre for the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)’s emerging fuel technologies drive. Prior to this, she participated in the Advanced Fuel Cycle Program and the establishment of a new particle fuel manufacturing laboratory, ROCKET (Research on Coated Kernels and Emerging Technologies) at Bangor University.
Passionate about outer space applications, she contributes to the development of thermal propulsion systems and surface power microreactors at the Nuclear Futures Institute (NFI). Makurunje was on the UK’s Future Leaders of the Foundation for Science and Technology (2023) and previously served as an Executive Secretary of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in support of UN space programs. She currently serves on the International Committee of the American Ceramic Society Engineering division and the Space Traffic Management Committee of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
Dr Sophie Cooper, Chemical Modeller at National Nuclear Laboratory
Dr Sophie Cooper
Chemical Modeller at National Nuclear Laboratory
Sophie received her PhD in computational chemistry from The University of Manchester in 2022, where she focussed on covalency in molecular actinide chemistry. She then joined the National Nuclear Laboratory where she uses her knowledge of atomistic and thermodynamic modelling of actinide systems to support a range of projects, from decommissioning initiatives to the development of thermodynamic data for advanced fuels.
Sophie is passionate about the many applications of nuclear sciences; she is particularly interested in the role of nuclear energy to help decarbonise electricity and achieve net zero targets. An award-winning scientist, having been recognised by the National Skills Academy Nuclear as Postgraduate of the Year 2024, she is an emerging, talented science communicator who relishes the opportunity to facilitate a discussion among experts while enhancing her knowledge of future fuels.
She is most interested in learning about how new fuel designs can play a role in sustainable development, both in terms of tackling climate chance and being part of a circular economy. As well as enhancing her knowledge of novel design and manufacturing processes that can push nuclear technology further to play a prominent role in tackling climate change, she is keen to learn more about the considerations involved in recycling fuel compared to directly disposing of it.
Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to hear from a range of experts, and to ask your burning questions. Sign up below and join us on 5th September, 2 – 3pm BST.
