Bio
Dr. Ragai Altamimi’s research interests include advanced reactor systems design and modeling, reactor safety analyses, experimental and computational thermal hydraulics investigations, and space nuclear power systems development.
With over a decade of experience in the nuclear field, Dr. Altamimi has worked in various industrial, research, and academic projects. During his time at the Korean atomic energy research institute (KAERI) and the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC), Dr. Altamimi was involved in designing, construction, licensing, commissioning, and early operation of the JRTR nuclear reactor. His work focused on reactor core and cooling systems design, experimental and analytical thermal hydraulics investigations of MTR fuel performance, and nuclear safety analyses during reactor transients.
During his Ph.D. studies at the University of New Mexico's Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies (ISNPS), Dr. Altamimi contributed to the development of advanced lightweight heat pipe radiator panels for space power systems under a NASA Early Stage Innovation (ESI) project. Additionally, he worked on designing pumping mechanisms for the Versatile Test Reactor's (VTR) liquid-metal in-pile test loops. He also collaborated with Sandia National Laboratory on nuclear safety-cybersecurity investigations, building dynamic multi-physics models of PWR systems for the NICSim nuclear cybersecurity investigations platform.
Prior to joining ORNL, Dr. Altamimi was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Tennessee’s (UTK) Department of Nuclear Engineering (NE), where he performed research on developing new fast-running, equilibrium core models of micro pebble bed nuclear reactors.
Awards
Science and Engineering Excellence Award, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 2014
IAEA’s Nuclear Research Reactors Fellowship, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2015
Alpha Nu Sigma National Honor Society, American Nuclear Society (ANS), 2021
Outstanding Graduate Student Award, School of Engineering, UNM, 2022
Education
Ph.D. Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico
M.S. Nuclear Engineering, Korea University of Science and Technology
B.A. Nuclear Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology