Sandia National Labs Academic Programs Collaboration Report

Expert panel for Nuclear Power Institute Master Class The Texas A&M Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) “Clean SMARTS Master Class” is a free six-episode mini-series that allows Texas high school students and educators to learn about national security, manufacturing, nuclear applications, relationship building and diplomatic skills, technology, and global security. Sandia’s Texas A&M CE Chrisma Jackson and Sandia R&D systems engineer Adam Williams were on the expert panel. In October 2021, Williams, a magna cum laude graduate from Texas A&M with two degrees—a bachelor’s degree in 2004 in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in 2007 in international affairs from the Bush School—was featured on a monthly NPI podcast called “Path of Most Persistence.” The podcast’s objective is to enlighten and motivate people about the workforce necessary to support continuing and emerging clean technology and nuclear application needs. As a subject matter expert on research projects that evaluate vulnerabilities in cyber-physical nuclear systems, managing complex risks in the nuclear fuel cycle, and the exploration of alternatives for the future of the U.S. Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, Williams motivated the listeners saying, “When something is hard, whether you succeed or fail, you’re going to learn.” Viewers of all six episodes earn a Clean SMARTS certificate of completion.

CONTRIBUTOR Spotlight

Adam Williams, a Sandia expert on managing risks in nuclear systems, believes from personal experience that a Texas A&M Sandia partnership makes perfect sense. “Texas A&M blends cutting edge academia with a spirit of service, making it a natural pipeline to develop the experts of tomorrow who will help Sandia succeed in its quest to provide exceptional service in the national interest.”

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2021-2022 Collaboration Report