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About
Attend
Call for Submissions
Student Program
Committee
Program
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Contact

November 27-29 2024

Courtyard Toronto Downtown

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Conference Program

Student Poster Submission

Call for Submissions

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Sponsors and Exhibitors

DIET2024 Organizing Committee

Organizing Committee

Ali Ahmed

Innovation Chair

Gabe Aversano

Organizing Committee Member, and Plenary Committee Co-chair

Gabe Aversano

Organizing Committee Member, and Plenary Committee Co-chair

Gabriel Aversano, MBA, is a leader within the machine learning and artificial intelligence team at Kinectrics. He brings over a decade of experience in the nuclear industry with diverse experience within software development, engineering, safety analysis, innovation, research and development, and project/product management. Gabriel acts as a liaison between business and technical teams with a focus on delivering business value. He has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions utilizing agile methods. Prior to this role, he led the Design Engineering Innovation Program responsible for engaging staff and generating innovative ideas, developing business cases, and overseeing/managing innovation innovative initiatives including laser scanning, digital twins, software automation tools, and AI leveraging 15 years of experience in automation and software development

Ed Bradley

International Engagement Chair

Ed Bradley

International Engagement Chair

Ed’s diverse experience includes management, oversight and technical support of both nuclear power and research reactor facilities. Ed has been at the IAEA since 2005 and is currently the Team Leader, NPP Operation & Engineering Support in the IAEA Division of Nuclear Power.

Prior to the IAEA, he worked as a design engineer and project manager for ANSTO, a national, nuclear laboratory in Australia.

Before ANSTO, he worked in the US commercial nuclear power industry as a reactor engineer at Oyster Creek, a Boiling Water Reactor and as a shift- and then a system-engineer at the Three Mile Island Unit-1 Pressurized Water Reactor. Ed also worked as a Senior Reactor Operator at the 3,000 MW DOE Savannah River Site L-reactor. Ed received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1989 and numerous technical certifications and qualifications throughout his career.

Chris Cochrane

Technical Co-chair, Student & Academia Commmitee

Chris Cochrane

Technical Co-chair, Student & Academia Commmitee

Chris is the Technical Advisor within the Directorate of Security and Safeguards at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Ashlea Colton

Organizing Committee

Ashlea Colton

Organizing Committee

With a Master’s Degree in Modelling & Computational Science and a Bachelor of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering from Ontario Tech University, Ashlea has focused on reactor physics analysis and computational sciences in her 14+ years at CNL. She’s gained extensive experience leading complex computational research projects. Just recently, she oversaw the procurement, acquisition, and installation of CNL’s newest high-performance computing cluster named Athena. Ashlea is also a champion for integrating computational techniques in all aspects of research at CNL. This passion led her to co-organize the first Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS) conference on AI and Machine Learning in 2020.

Nichole Davies

Organizing Committee

Nichole Davies

Organizing Committee

As a fourth-year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Western Ontario, Nicole is on course for a significant role combining engineering, business, and leadership. She is taking a step towards her goal by being a part of the Nuclear Engineering Innovation team at Nuclear Promise X. As she launches her career, she is eager to learn more about innovative technologies in the nuclear industry.

Luke Dolenc

Organizing Committee

Luke Dolenc

Organizing Committee

In my 6th year of Engineering Physics & Society, I have over a year of experience in the nuclear industry. Having worked for both the utility, Ontario Power Generation, and an innovation-focused nuclear consultant, NPX, I see a career involved with CANDUs, SMRs, Fuel Recycling, and Hydrogen. I enjoy planning professional development and nuclear outreach events for the students of McMaster through NAYGN. To meet our generation's climate goals, it's imperative that carbon-free electricity be the backbone behind it.

Salim El Bouzidi

Organizing Committee

Salim El Bouzidi

Organizing Committee

Salim El Bouzidi is the Head of the Vibration & Wear Section of the Fluids Engineering Branch at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. He is leading and contributing to projects related to the use of artificial intelligence for nuclear plant condition monitoring and projects on nuclear plant component degradation due to vibration and wear. Salim is a professional engineer with 11 years of experience in nuclear-related academic and industrial R&D. Salim holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick, a Master’s of Applied Science from the University of Guelph, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University.

Daniel Foster Roman

Conference Co-Chair, Plenary Committee

Daniel Foster Roman

Conference Co-Chair, Plenary Committee

Dan is a leader with over 10 years experience driving innovation and digital transformation within the power and utilities industries. As a Senior Analytics Engineer at Seeq, he leverages his hands-on plant engineering experience and advanced analytics and AI skillsets to solve complex problems, optimize processes, and maximize value for customers.

His deep understanding of the industry was developed through progressive roles leading engineering, analytics, reporting, innovation and software development teams at Ontario Power Generation, one of the largest clean energy providers in North America. Career highlights include founding an industry leading remote Monitoring & Diagnostic Center and saving millions of dollars through automation, condition-based maintenance, and averted equipment failures.

Additionally, Dan is committed to advancing innovation and connection across the industry. He has provided thought leadership, advising and authoring guidelines and standards through organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Electric Power Research Institute, contributing to global best practices. As chair of the international annual conference on Disruptive, Innovative and Emerging Technology hosted by the Canadian Nuclear Society, Dan promotes collaboration and connects leaders to drive forward-thinking solutions in the energy sector

Aleem Juma

Organizing Committee

Kevin Lee

Conference Co-Chair, Plenary Committee

Kevin Lee

Conference Co-Chair, Plenary Committee

Kevin Lee leads the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's (CNSC) team analyzing disruptive, innovative and emerging technology (DIET) and its application in the nuclear industry. The DIET team evaluates DIET and readies the CNSC to regulate DIET. Kevin's duties also include readying the CNSC' s regulatory framework for Advanced Reactor Technology (ART) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Kevin is also active on numerous other policy and regulatory files at the CNSC including fusion technologies. Kevin also leads the CNSC's Meet the Nuclear Regulator (MTNR) team which provides outreach from the perspective of the CNSC on numerous topics relevant to stakeholders.

Michele Lunney

Treasurer/S&E Chair

Michele Lunney

Treasurer/S&E Chair

Michele is a dynamic and accomplished business development leader with over 18 years of experience driving revenue growth through strategic sales, marketing, and business development initiatives. With a robust background in New Nuclear Energy, IT Advisory & Consulting, and Digital Transformation, she has consistently delivered outstanding results, evidenced by her multiple "Presidents Club" awards for sales excellence.

In her current role as a Non-resident Fellow at The Stimson Center in Washington, DC, Michele leads projects at the intersection of advanced nuclear energy and blockchain technology. She spearheads strategies for the commercial liftoff of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and explores the potential of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to enhance transparency and security in nuclear safeguards and chemical trade. Her work involves collaboration with industry leaders, government stakeholders, and global regulatory bodies, reflecting her deep expertise in nuclear energy and innovative technologies.

Previously, as Vice President of Business Development at OARO, Michele played a pivotal role in securing major contracts, including a groundbreaking agreement with a Canadian Small Modular Reactor company. She has a proven track record in managing complex sales cycles, developing strategic partnerships, and breaking into new high-growth markets. Her leadership at OARO and earlier roles at HPE, Gartner, and NB Power Corporation showcase her ability to drive significant business growth and establish long-lasting client relationships.

Michele is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, which complements her analytical approach to problem-solving and process optimization. She is also an active contributor to the nuclear energy sector, serving as an executive member of the Canadian Nuclear Society’s Technology DIET Conference and an industry expert for Nuclear Engineering International Magazine. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, Michele continues to make a substantial impact in the industries she serves.

John Mcintosh

Student & Academia Chair

Juliana Rapper

Technical Co-chair, Student & Academia Commmitee

Wesley Ross

Communications Chair

Wesley Ross

Communications Chair

Wesley Ross is a Regulatory Framework Officer at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. He splits his work between managing updates to the CNSC’s regulatory tools and its online consultation platform, Let’s Talk Nuclear Safety. He has a background in communications, having previously worked in the Strategic Communications Directorate at the CNSC and as a proposal writer for the University of Ottawa. His goal is to help make the CNSC an agile regulator, and to improve engagement between the CNSC and the people and communities it serves.

Jennifer Wong

Plenary Committee Co-chair

Stacey Zoutis

Organizing Committee

Stacey Zoutis

Organizing Committee

Stacey Zoutis is currently pursuing her MASc in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the Cognitive Engineering Lab where she specializes in human factors research with a focus on control room design for small modular reactors. Stacey was introduced to the nuclear industry in 2022 through a summer internship with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as a member of the regulatory policy analysis team. She has since completed two additional internships at CNSC in the area of human and organizational performance. Stacey previously attended McMaster University, where she attained an Honours BSc in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour.

Plenary Committee

Gabe Aversano

Organizing Committee Member, and Plenary Committee Member

Gabe Aversano

Organizing Committee Member, and Plenary Committee Member

Gabriel Aversano, MBA, is a leader within the machine learning and artificial intelligence team at Kinectrics. He brings over a decade of experience in the nuclear industry with diverse experience within software development, engineering, safety analysis, innovation, research and development, and project/product management.

Gabriel acts as a liaison between business and technical teams with a focus on delivering business value. He has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions utilizing agile methods. Prior to this role, he led the Design Engineering Innovation Program responsible for engaging staff and generating innovative ideas, developing business cases, and overseeing/managing innovation innovative initiatives including laser scanning, digital twins, software automation tools, and AI leveraging 15 years of experience in automation and software development

Ed Bradley

International Engagement Chair

Ed Bradley

International Engagement Chair

Nichole Davies

Plenary Committee

Nichole Davies

Plenary Committee

Daniel Foster Roman

Plenary Committee

Daniel Foster Roman

Plenary Committee

Robert Graham

Plenary Committee Member

Jennel Hogg

Plenary Committee Member

Kevin Lee

Conference Co-Chair, Plenary Committee

Kevin Lee

Conference Co-Chair, Plenary Committee

Jason Lui

Plenary Committee Member

Eddy Nur

Plenary Committee Member

Ron Oberth

Plenary Committee Member

Ron Oberth

Plenary Committee Member

President of RonOberth Consulting. Served as OCNI CEO for 11 years. Worked in the Canadian nuclear indusry for more than 40 years at OPG (1977 - 2003) and at the AECL Reactor Division (1973-1977 and 2003-2011)

Nazgol Shahbandi

Plenary Committee Member

Nazgol Shahbandi

Plenary Committee Member

Nazgol Shahbandi is the OPG Integration Strategy lead advisor on Renewable Generation Preventive Maintenance Program. Naz has over 10 years of experience in implementing AI and ML strategies in Online Continues Monitoring, Plant Health, Condition Based and Value Based Maintenance programs, Equipment Diagnostic and Prognostic modeling and Optimization. Prior to her current role, she led the OPG Monitoring and Diagnostic Centre Renewable Generation Continuous Online Modeling and Monitoring for 5 years. Naz was honored with the 2022 Canadian Nuclear Society’s (CNS) Innovation Achievement Award for efforts and achievements in improving equipment reliability for OPG Nuclear assets. Naz is very passionate about equity with a focus on gender diversity, women in leadership and STEM. She has been co-chairing the OPG Women Employee Resource Group since Nov 2022 and is a recognized mentor in multiple women empowerment global and national programs. Her background is data science and mathematical modeling and has received her master’s degree in applied mathematics from University of Waterloo.

Jennifer Wong

Plenary Committee Co-chair

Technical Committee

Chris Cochrane

Technical Co-chair

Chris Cochrane

Technical Co-chair

Chris is the Technical Advisor within the Directorate of Security and Safeguards at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Salim El Bouzidi

Technical Committee

Salim El Bouzidi

Technical Committee

Kevin Lee

Technical Committee

Kevin Lee

Technical Committee

Daniel Liang

Technical Committee

Daniel Liang

Technical Committee

8+ Engineering background with specialization in mechanical engineering, data analytics and science, advanced virtual simulation, machine learning, natural language processing, deep learning, search engine, and business inteligence

Juliana Rapper

Technical Co-chair, Student & Academia Commmitee

Jennifer Ward

Technical Committee, Academic Committee

Jennifer Ward

Technical Committee, Academic Committee

Jennifer Ward is a Digital Transformers Innovation Catalyst at Nuclear Promise X (NPX). She previously worked as an intern at NPX on their Quality Assurance team and their Design Engineering team. Jennifer is a recent Engineering Physics graduate from McMaster University, with a specialization in Nuclear Engineering and Energy Systems. Jennifer is passionate about science communication and has supported several CNS conferences, including the CANDU Maintenence and Nuclear Components Conference, and the 2023 DIET Conference.