SRS Contractor, University Sign Pact to Boost Workforce, Cleanup Research

Officials gather for a ceremonial memorandum of understanding signing. From left: Rich Zaharek, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) senior vice president, chief engineer and nuclear safety officer; Leonel Lagos, Florida International University associate professor and director of research, Applied Research Center; and Sean Alford, SRNS senior vice president and chief administrative officer.

AIKEN, S.C. — A Savannah River Site (SRS) contractor and university research center have signed an agreement seeking to expand workforce opportunities for students and support the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) nuclear cleanup program and other critical missions.

It’s the latest effort by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) to continue advancing innovation and strengthen research partnerships that deliver solutions for DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM).

The collaboration was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SRNS and the Florida International University (FIU) Applied Research Center (ARC). They have a shared goal of increasing the number of SRNS internships as well as the number of interns transitioning into full-service positions at SRNS. The pact also looks to advance DOE’s collaborative research in environmental remediation and nuclear operations, and strengthen technical capabilities.

“One of our primary goals is to build strong talent pipelines,” said Bryan Ortner, senior vice president, SRNS Workforce Services and Talent Management. “Partners like this allow us to solve complex technical problems that support both the National Nuclear Security Administration and DOE’s Environmental Management missions. By investing in students today, we’re building the workforce of tomorrow.”

James Therrell, at left, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions mission planning manager for Environmental Management Operations, educates Florida International University representatives, at right, on the H Canyon process at Savannah River Site.

During a visit to SRS, FIU representatives toured key SRS facilities, including H Canyon, the only operating, production-scale, radiologically shielded chemical separations facility in the United States. H Canyon was originally built to recover uranium and neptunium from fuel tubes used in nuclear reactors for weapons production. Its mission shifted after the Cold War to focus on nonproliferation and environmental cleanup.

“We want to create a clear pipeline for FIU to join SRNS — not just in engineering, but in multiple disciplines,” said Leonel Lagos, FIU associate professor and director of research at ARC. “We’re working with SRNS to identify research topics and develop technologies that can directly support site operations. For example, robotics systems designed by FIU staff and students could one day inspect and repair facilities such as H Canyon.”

ARC’s work is performed under the DOE-FIU Cooperative Agreement, which focuses on environmental remediation and workforce development. In 2007, EM and FIU created the Science & Technology Workforce Development Initiative. The aim of this workforce development program is to develop future talent by fostering collaboration between academic, government and DOE contractor organizations. This partnership trains and mentors the next generation of scientists and engineers while helping develop innovative technologies that address DOE’s environmental cleanup challenges.

“This partnership allows SRNS to tap into a proven source of talent,” added Sean Alford, SRNS senior vice president and chief administrative officer. “FIU students are well trained, and with our growing missions, we want to give them the best opportunities to contribute. Beyond engineering, we see potential for students to support supply chain, construction management and other critical areas. Together, SRNS and FIU are committed to advancing applied research and technology development to support DOE’s critical missions while developing a highly skilled future workforce.”

-Contributor: Aunarey Herbert