ORNL is proud of its role in fostering the next generation of scientists and engineers. We bring in talented young researchers, team them with accomplished staff members, and put them to work at the lab’s one-of-a-kind facilities. The result is research that makes us proud and prepares them for distinguished careers.
We asked some of these young researchers why they chose a career in science, what they are working on at ORNL, and where they would like to go with their careers.
Xingang Zhao
Postdoc, Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division
Ph.D., Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Hometown: Nanjing, China
What are you working on at ORNL?
I study ways to make nuclear energy safer, more cost-competitive and better prepared for a larger role in decarbonizing the U.S. energy system. My current research seeks to develop and demonstrate interpretable artificial reasoning frameworks that advance health management capabilities to help reduce operation and maintenance costs of a nuclear power plant.
What would you like to do in your career?
I would like to be a part of a long-term campaign to continue improving the competitiveness of nuclear energy in a carbon-constrained world. I want to leverage my domain knowledge and develop expertise in artificial intelligence for nuclear applications. I also hope to be a good mentor and educator in the future.
Why did you choose a career in science?
Growing up in China, I was passionate about how science and technology could revolutionize the world. Then, as I moved to France for college, I zeroed in on low-carbon energy systems and became captivated by the multidimensional, multiphysics nature of nuclear reactors. That was the science I wanted to dedicate my career to.
