Engineers Week Spotlight: EM Team Members Advance Cleanup

Editor's Note: Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951, National Engineers Week is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.

In this issue of EM Update, we highlight the contributions of five engineers we’ve interviewed across the EM complex this year.

When did you begin working at the site and what got you interested in the cleanup mission?

I began working at the Paducah Site in 2001 at the last operating gaseous diffusion plant in the United States. After the plant shut down, I began work at the DOE site office as a support contractor before beginning my federal career as facility representative for the Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) in 2018.

I was born in Paducah and I have always been interested in the site through family connections. My dad was a maintenance mechanic for 38 years at the site before retiring. So this area is my home and helping to ensure it is cleaned up the right way for future generations is very important to me. Since joining DOE, I have learned more about all the other important cleanup missions across the country, and I understand why every community is so interested in ensuring things are done the right way.

Can you tell us a little about a project you have worked on?

Currently, I am the project engineer for the Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6) Conversion Project for PPPO. The project takes the depleted UF6, or tails, from 50-plus years of gaseous diffusion plant operations in Paducah, Portsmouth, Ohio, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and converts the UF6 to a more stable form for beneficial reuse or disposal. This reduces the risk to the community and environment from the long-term storage of UF6 in the vast cylinder yards at the sites.

How is your expertise making an impact on an EM project, or the mission in general?

I have enjoyed working on a wide variety of projects while at the site, from environmental remediation to uranium enrichment operations. They have given me a wide breadth of experience that is invaluable for working on complex projects at Paducah. Seeing firsthand the environmental impacts that can occur from plant operations and production drives home how important it is to execute these projects in a manner that is safe for workers, the surrounding community and the environment.

What would be your message to someone interested in a career with EM?

PPPO is a great place to work, and you will work with some really good people. No matter what you are interested in, there will be a role that suits your interests with the diverse array of projects available. It also feels good knowing you are making a beneficial contribution to your community and the environment.

When did you begin working at the site and what got you interested in the cleanup mission?

Back in the early 1980s, when groundwater contamination was being recognized at many locations, I followed my love of the outdoors and training in fluid mechanics and geology to begin study of characterization methods of hazardous and radioactive waste sites. My father was a World War II veteran, a research chemist and a Boy Scout leader in Ohio where I grew up but camping in New Mexico increased my desire to live and work out west. I came to work in New Mexico in 1995 on the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project. I came to Los Alamos in 2005 to work on-site characterization and corrective measure planning of three waste disposal areas. I left to work on the Moab UMTRA Project in 2007 before returning in 2020. I have had a long term interest in engineering and I enjoyed previous work in New Mexico. I continued to be a licensed professional engineer in two states (Ohio and Utah).

Can you tell us a little about a project you have worked on?

My first involvement was in 1987 at the Weldon Springs Site in Missouri and I’ve worked on several UMTRA sites in New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, and chlorinated solvents contamination in groundwater at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in southern Ohio. Currently I’m supporting characterization and cleanup of hexavalent chromium contamination of the regional aquifer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. At Los Alamos, groundwater is 900 feet below the ground surface so the effort to characterize the extent of contamination and how it got there is a greater challenge than at most sites. Interim measures to extract contaminated groundwater, treat it and inject it back into the formation has proved very successful. 

How is your expertise making an impact on an EM project, or the mission in general?

Having a diverse background in engineering, geology and experience at multiple sites as either in state government or as a private contractor has enabled me to positively contribute to the interdisciplinary teams required to solve groundwater problems. Solving problems is largely about working together as a team. That can include group discussions and focused analytical methods. My expertise impacts contractor activities and interactions with regulators. This provides consistent support to the EM project and its contractors, keeping the mission running as smoothly as possible. Additionally, I help evaluate best practices to support the mission by way of volunteering in the development of international standards on groundwater for site characterization and remediation. 

What would be your message to someone interested in a career with EM?

Eliminating the effects of the Cold War legacy is an honorable endeavor that provides a challenging career in many different engineering disciplines as well as other areas. It is rewarding in its interactions with colleagues and being part of U.S. history. It is a career that allows you to make a visible difference to not only the environment but to the people that live in it. My encouragement is to jump in. There are so many opportunities to do great work with great people on great projects in great locations.

When did you begin working at the site and what got you interested in the cleanup mission?

I have been working for the Department of Energy (DOE) since 2015. I began my career at the Savannah River Site (SRS) as a facility representative at the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF) Project Office. I am now the operations division director in the Office of the Assistant Manager for Nuclear Material Stabilization. DOE offered several career opportunities and having previous experience in the commercial nuclear industry, I felt my skillset would add value to the organization. In addition to the potential career advancements, DOE offered new and exciting learning opportunities in technology development and environmental remediation. 

Can you tell us a little about a project you have worked on?

As mentioned, when I started my career, I was working at the SWPF Project Office. SWPF is a facility that processes about 90% of liquid radioactive waste generated in the 1950s from SRS nuclear material production operations. As a facility representative, I was able to perform oversight for all phases of SWPF: construction, testing, hot operations and normal operations. It was an amazing experience to be part of a project that is greatly impactful to the cleanup mission at SRS, the DOE complex and the nation.

How is your expertise making an impact on an EM project, or the mission in general?

Throughout my DOE career, I developed an expertise in ensuring safe and efficient operations, which is essential in maintaining schedule, reducing costs and ensuring mission objectives are met. These skills help to advance DOE’s mission of ensuring America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.

What would be your message to someone interested in a career with EM?

I believe that EM provides a range of careers for various professional and educational backgrounds. My engineering degree has allowed me to further develop the skills necessary to contribute effectively to the overall mission. Once employed, a person should take advantage of additional opportunities for educational growth. I have frequently utilized DOE seminars and workshops to further develop my career goals. My overall advice to someone interested in this career is to do all that you can to secure a solid educational foundation that would enable you to develop and expand your interests in the field. Be prepared to cultivate employment experiences that would enhance your professional growth.

When did you begin working at the site, and what got you interested in the cleanup mission?

I joined DOE’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) in April 2023. I was excited to start working with a team focused on end uses for reindustrialization and preserving our history and environment. As a native East Tennessean, I have an immense passion to preserve and protect our local areas.

Can you tell us a little about a project you have worked on?

One of the more recent projects I’ve supported is helping the Reindustrialization Team with reviewing and submitting the transfer package for ED-21 — a section of the East Tennessee Technology Park that formerly housed Building K-1037 and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Incinerator. This effort is another step forward as we continue transforming the former enrichment complex into a multi-use industrial park.  

How is your expertise making an impact on an EM project, or the mission in general?

I am a chemical and biomolecular engineer with some prior experience in organic polymer synthesis, distillation and diffusion, and bioreactors. While most of this may not seem very applicable to an EM career at first, I’ve found that I have been able to translate some of my experience into OREM’s current groundwater remediation efforts. 

What would be your message to someone interested in a career with EM?

EM has an immense portfolio of projects ranging from facility operations to sustainability and environmental justice, so there is a spot for everyone. If you choose a career with EM, it may take some searching, but you will find something you are passionate about! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions and express your opinions! It’s the best way to learn about site-specific work!

When did you begin working at the site and what got you interested in the cleanup mission?

I began working at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site in 1993 as a mining engineer. As a cognizant system engineer (COG) for the underground repository, I played a critical role in the overall success of the facility. I became thoroughly invested in, and a vocal champion of, the WIPP mission both internally and externally. We were going to accomplish something never before attempted opening the world’s first licensed nuclear repository for transuranic (TRU) waste. We succeeded. I was, and am, proud to have been a part of the newly operational WIPP project and surrounded by other “WIPPsters” who would accept nothing less that total mission success.

Can you tell us a little about a project you have worked on?

As the COG for underground ventilation, 1993 to 2002, I had the opportunity to work on multiple projects necessary to achieve operational readiness for opening of the WIPP facility. This included creating and promoting multiple first-generation technologies needed to install one of the most advanced ventilation remote monitoring, modeling and control systems ever up to that time. I was responsible for the design and installation of a new mine ventilation fan to increase operational availability. I was able to create simulation models of the WIPP facility to identify and mitigate bottlenecks. I was responsible for the conceiving of and overseeing the design, construction and testing of the dry dust filtration unit to remove visible salt dust from the underground air streams in order to improve worker safety. The best and most fun project I worked on was collaborating on, and teaching, an unofficial training program called, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Underground Ventilation at WIPP but was Afraid to Ask.” This gave me the opportunity to educate hundreds of my peers on the design, subtleties and quirks of the WIPP underground ventilation system. This in turn significantly enhanced the level of understanding, safety and appreciation of how my system contributed to the overall WIPP mission.

How is your expertise making an impact on an EM project, or the mission in general?

I returned to the WIPP facility in 2021 as a member of the DOE-EM Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) to provide safety system oversight of the WIPP prime contractor. In the intervening years, I had been involved in mining, tunneling, research, occupational safety and training, technology and innovation, and higher education associated with different types of underground facilities on six continents. My expertise in underground mine design, mine safety and training, regulatory compliance, and ventilation is unique within DOE-EM and the CBFO. I have a positive impact on worker health and safety in the most high-risk aspect of WIPP operations: making holes in the ground for the permanent disposal of TRU waste. My goal is to ensure that risks are understood, managed and mitigated and that everybody goes home safely each day.

What would be your message to someone interested in a career with EM?

My experience at WIPP has proven to be a cornerstone of my career. While I originally came to WIPP for a job, what I got was an adventure. I gained far more in return than what I contributed or expected. It was transformative. In addition to honing my engineering and design skills, I learned leadership, ownership, collaboration, teamwork, mentoring and the art of negotiation. I found inspiration and passion for innovation, education and for pushing the boundaries of knowledge. When I left WIPP, I brought these with me. I envisioned the “Mine of the Future,” designed subway systems, built industrial facilities, studied tunnel fires and explored artisanal small mines in remote regions of the globe. I was inspired to pursue and earn a Ph.D. in mining engineering. I taught, trained and mentored others in the hope that I could give back some of what I had learned, and possibly inspire them, too. I returned to EM so that I can apply this expertise toward a lasting legacy in support of the EM mission.