PhD students Ava and Luke have attended the WM2025 Conference in Phoenix, AZ, thanks to being awarded Roy G. Post Foundation Scholarships. This year the theme of the conference was Empowering a Sustainable Future – Advanced Technologies, AI, and Workforce Development Across the Nuclear Landscape.
The Roy G. Post Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting safe nuclear materials management, has awarded more than 235 scholarships to exceptional undergraduate and graduate students globally. These scholarships provide recipients with opportunities to engage with industry professionals, share their research, and gain insights from leading experts.
Both Ava and Luke found the WM2025 Conference to be an impactful experience, providing them with the opportunity to present their work to a global audience, receive valuable feedback, and build connections with industry leaders.
Luke’s Research: Advancing Deep Borehole Disposal Methods
Luke’s PhD research focuses on developing a cutting-edge deep borehole disposal method for high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Recognised for its safety, environmental responsibility, and cost-effectiveness, this method requires a thorough understanding of the structural integrity of waste containers under extreme conditions. By conducting engineering simulations and detailed structural analyses, Luke aims to establish robust design standards for this promising disposal solution.
Reflecting on his experience at the conference, Luke said: “Given that my research focuses on deep borehole disposal, a niche area within nuclear waste management, it was incredibly rewarding to see so much interest in both the field and my own work. The conference provided a great opportunity to connect with leading experts and industry professionals who recognise the potential of this disposal method. It was exciting to contribute to discussions on its feasibility, challenges, and future applications. Sharing my research, receiving insightful feedback, and exploring potential collaborations made the experience extremely valuable.”
Luke also expressed his gratitude for the mentorship and support of his supervisor, Karl Travis, who played a pivotal role in guiding his research and preparing him for his presentations at the conference. Luke said “a highlight of the experience was delivering interlinked back-to-back presentations, which allowed us to present our research as a cohesive narrative. He truly helped make the trip a great experience”
Ava’s Research: Enhancing Cement Encapsulation for Nuclear Waste
Ava’s research investigates the chemistry of cement used to encapsulate nuclear waste, aiming to improve the performance of traditional materials like Portland cement and blast furnace slag. With global decarbonisation efforts affecting these supply chains, her work seeks to broaden the range of materials suitable for safer and more efficient nuclear waste storage, ensuring mid-term security for UK supply chains.
Speaking about the conference, Ava noted: “The conference was quite different to any conference that I have attended previously. There was a huge exhibit hall with countries which attracted international companies of various sizes. We had the opportunity to speak to industry professionals who operated throughout the nuclear waste management supply chain including areas that I had never even considered such as ventilation systems and radiation proof surveillance systems to assist the plant operators. There were also drone and robot demos throughout the week. We got to see a robot dog at work that was operated through an augmented reality headset.
Additionally, there were lots of cool networking opportunities. I had the pleasure of meeting industry professionals and academic experts from around the world, including past Roy G Post scholars. It was inspiring to see what the scholars were up to and the impact that their research has had to date. They all spoke with a common theme surrounding how prestigious the scholarship is and how it had boosted their development as internationally recognised young professionals within the field.”
Ava credited her supervisor, Dr Brant Walkley, as well as various industry partners such as Sellafield Ltd., the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, for their support throughout her research journey.