Presented By: Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences
NERS Climate Week Colloquium—Nuclear Technology and National Security: Where Engineering and Policy Intersect
Rian Bahran, Chief Nuclear Officer at Antares
Abstract:
Nuclear technology has always existed at the intersection of engineering, public policy, and national security. Drawing on work across multiple administrations and senior roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Pentagon, the White House, the Department of Energy, and the private sector, Dr. Rian Bahran will discuss how technical and policy decisions shape which nuclear technologies move forward and how they are ultimately deployed. Rian will also talk about his move to the private sector and his work at Antares, which this year became the first privately funded advanced reactor company to achieve criticality with its Mark-0 reactor and has built a substantial order book for terrestrial and space reactor deployments starting with the U.S. military beginning in 2028. He will discuss why engineers, policymakers, and investors need to understand one another better, and what that means for the next generation of nuclear leaders.
Bio:
Dr. Rian Bahran is the Chief Nuclear Officer at Antares, where he leads nuclear operations, licensing, government affairs, and policy, and drives expansion into new markets. Rian previously served as the DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors, with prior roles at the White House, Pentagon, and Los Alamos. He holds a Ph.D. in nuclear science and engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where his doctoral research was funded by U.S. Naval Reactors in support of the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Advanced Reactor Program, and a dual B.S. in nuclear engineering and engineering physics from RPI.
This special Climate Week colloquium will explore the role of nuclear science, engineering, and energy technology in addressing climate and energy challenges.
The NERS Colloquia Series invites leading researchers, industry experts, and thought leaders from across the nuclear engineering and radiological sciences community to share their insights with students, faculty, and guests. Covering a wide range of topics—from cutting-edge research and emerging technologies to policy, education, and professional development—the weekly talks offer an opportunity to explore current issues and innovations shaping the future of the field.
Nuclear technology has always existed at the intersection of engineering, public policy, and national security. Drawing on work across multiple administrations and senior roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Pentagon, the White House, the Department of Energy, and the private sector, Dr. Rian Bahran will discuss how technical and policy decisions shape which nuclear technologies move forward and how they are ultimately deployed. Rian will also talk about his move to the private sector and his work at Antares, which this year became the first privately funded advanced reactor company to achieve criticality with its Mark-0 reactor and has built a substantial order book for terrestrial and space reactor deployments starting with the U.S. military beginning in 2028. He will discuss why engineers, policymakers, and investors need to understand one another better, and what that means for the next generation of nuclear leaders.
Bio:
Dr. Rian Bahran is the Chief Nuclear Officer at Antares, where he leads nuclear operations, licensing, government affairs, and policy, and drives expansion into new markets. Rian previously served as the DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors, with prior roles at the White House, Pentagon, and Los Alamos. He holds a Ph.D. in nuclear science and engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where his doctoral research was funded by U.S. Naval Reactors in support of the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Advanced Reactor Program, and a dual B.S. in nuclear engineering and engineering physics from RPI.
This special Climate Week colloquium will explore the role of nuclear science, engineering, and energy technology in addressing climate and energy challenges.
The NERS Colloquia Series invites leading researchers, industry experts, and thought leaders from across the nuclear engineering and radiological sciences community to share their insights with students, faculty, and guests. Covering a wide range of topics—from cutting-edge research and emerging technologies to policy, education, and professional development—the weekly talks offer an opportunity to explore current issues and innovations shaping the future of the field.
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