CNS Fellows encourage innovation

  • Posted: Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 10:33 am

Chief Operating Officer Michelle Reichert (left) and CNS Vice President Linda Bauer (right) congratulate the latest CNS Fellows: Neil Koone (left) and John Prazniak.Chief Operating Officer Michelle Reichert (left) and CNS Vice President Linda Bauer (right) congratulate the latest CNS Fellows: Neil Koone (left) and John Prazniak.

Some of CNS’s most talented scientists and engineers presented at the 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium, August 20 at Pantex. The all-day event celebrated the addition of two new Fellows and participants heard from the Fellows about the incredible work being done in the fields of uranium, metallurgy, electromagnetics, surveillance, component analysis, and others related to the important and unique work Pantex and Y-12 do for the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

Michelle Reichert, CNS chief operating officer, gave the opening remarks on how the Fellows program encourages innovation in our prime centers of excellence such as high explosives and uranium processing, but also in other designations that help us strive for advancements in these fields.

“We cannot rest on our laurels. We will continue to lead in these fields and advance these vital capabilities for our nation,” she said. “To accomplish these goals, we must engage the best and brightest individuals in the NSE — our CNS Fellows.”

The newest Fellows, one Pantexan and one Y-12er, Neil Koone and John Prazniak, took on the roles of Electromagnetics Fellow and Uranium Fellow, respectively, and were pinned an official member of the fellowship to join Alan Moore (Metallurgy), Lorelei Woods (Pantex Surveillance/Component Analysis), and Vincent Lamberti (Y-12 Surveillance/Component Analysis). Reichert further described what makes the Fellow a valuable asset.

“Working in our most critical capability areas, our Fellows bridge the gap between a shiny new idea and production-scale technology, between our past and the future of our operations,” Reichert said. “Because we are production sites, our Fellows have the unique opportunity to apply new technologies directly to production use.”

All five CNS Fellows gave a keynote offering background, current trends, and future projects in their respective fields. Those in attendance learned about gas sampling operations, electrorefining in uranium processing, Y-12 history and metallurgy, lightning detection and electrostatic discharge, and the future of surveillance. The Fellows’ keynote addresses will be posted online. You can earn professional development hours for Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional credits for each keynote watched. Get supervisor permission before watching videos during work hours. To receive PDH credit, email Ashley Stowe.

The colloquium included a poster session where 20 Pantex and Y-12 presenters highlighted innovative projects taking place at both sites — from 3D printed parts to newly designed buildings.
Next year’s colloquium will take place at Y-12, and other Fellows will be announced to join the ranks in other fields such as lithium/special nuclear material, high explosives, nonproliferation, and advanced manufacturing.

Fellow Alan Moore talks to attendees at the 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium.Fellow Alan Moore talks to attendees at the 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium.

From left: Lorelei Woods, Vincent Lamberti, Alan Moore, Ashley Stowe, Michelle Reichert, and Linda Bauer at the 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium.From left: Lorelei Woods, Vincent Lamberti, Alan Moore, Ashley Stowe, Michelle Reichert, and Linda Bauer at the 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium.

Ashley Stowe (left) talks to an attendee at the 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium.Ashley Stowe (left) talks to an attendee at the 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium.

The 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium poster sessionThe 2nd Annual CNS Fellows Colloquium poster session

From left: Neil Koone, Alan Moore, Lorelei Woods, Vincent Lamberti, and John Prazniak, the CNS FellowsFrom left: Neil Koone, Alan Moore, Lorelei Woods, Vincent Lamberti, and John Prazniak, the CNS Fellows

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