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AECL Hosts a Workshop for the Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan

AECL Hosts a Workshop for the Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan

This fall, AECL hosted a workshop for the Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan in Ottawa. The objective was to disseminate the results of research and development activities conducted by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in the areas of health, safety and security, energy and the environment.

Over the span of five days, more than 400 participants came together to learn about recent science and technology advances, and to create new opportunities for collaboration and linkages across the sector. Participants represented a multitude of organizations, including federal departments and agencies, academia, global research institutions and industry.

“We are very encouraged by the strong participation and the many connections that were made across sectors, across regions and across disciplines. This will only increase the impact of the science that is done at the Chalk River Laboratories,” said Shannon Quinn, AECL’s Vice-President of Science, Technology and Commercial Oversight. “Indeed, nuclear science and technology is much broader than what people would expect. We have exciting projects that are advancing: the next generation of cancer treatments, the deployment of small modular reactors in Canada, and cyber security for critical infrastructure, just to name a few. Together, we are advancing science and innovation for the benefit of Canada and Canadians.”

To learn more about our priorities in nuclear science and technology, check out our website.

Appointments to AECL’s Board of Directors and Management

On July 1, 2019 the Government of Canada made appointments to AECL’s Board of Directors and Management.

James Burpee has been appointed as Chairperson of AECL’s Board of Directors for a term of five years. Jim has been serving as a director on AECL’s board since June 2017, and brings almost four decades of experience as a senior strategist and executive in the electricity industry, having worked in a variety of senior management roles for Ontario Hydro and Ontario Power Generation.

Richard Sexton has been re-appointed as President and CEO of AECL for up to one year following the expiry of his current term in February 2020. Richard has served as AECL’s President and CEO since February 2018; he previously served as interim President and CEO and Acting Chief Transition Officer of AECL for almost two years. Richard has over 30 years of experience in decommissioning and waste management gained through leadership roles on some of the largest and most complex decommissioning projects in the world.

Dr. Kamilia Sofia has been appointed as a director of AECL’s Board of Directors for a term of three years. Kamilia has been a strategic leader for 30 years, with technical and management experience locally and internationally. Kamilia has held CEO level positions internationally in the last ten years with global organizations in multiple industries: high technology, aerospace, nuclear, and oil & gas, including CEO of Methanex Egypt, Executive Vice President of Rolls Royce Nuclear, CEO Services at Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, and Vice President of Strategy at CAE Inc.

Jim, Richard and Kamilia bring significant experience and expertise to the leadership and oversight of AECL.

AECL and Australia’s ANSTO sign a cooperation agreement

AECL and Australia’s ANSTO sign a cooperation agreement

AECL and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) have signed a memorandum of understanding with a goal of establishing a strategic collaboration in nuclear science and technology, radiological waste management, decommissioning, and environmental remediation.

The 5-year collaboration agreement was signed in Sydney, Australia  on May 2 2019 by AECL President Richard Sexton and ANSTO Chief Executive Officer Adi Paterson.

The agreement will allow AECL and ANSTO to collaborate in areas of mutual interest including managing and overseeing nuclear research activities, isotope research and production, radioactive waste management, decommissioning, and environmental remediation.

ANSTO is Australia’s national nuclear science and technology organization. They operate much of Australia’s landmark infrastructure including one of the world’s most modern nuclear research reactors, OPAL. Their nuclear science focuses on health, environment and the nuclear fuel cycle. For more information on ANSTO, visit their website.