Nuclear Energy: What Has Happened to Our Nuclear Waste Disposal Program?

• When: Thursday November 13, 2025 from 6-7:30 p.m.
• Where: Perry Atrium at Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center at UMass Lowell
• Cost: Free!
  

Pizza will be served.

James Conca and Sukesh Aghara discuss the history, challenges, and future of nuclear waste disposal in the U.S., drawing from decades of expertise in energy geopolitics and nuclear engineering.

This event explores key topics from U.S. nuclear waste history, including the evolution of disposal strategies, the role of salt repositories like Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), Hanford tank waste risks, deep borehole concepts, and probable outcomes for defense and commercial waste. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the scientific, regulatory, and geopolitical factors shaping nuclear waste policy.

For questions or more information please email: nuclear@uml.edu.

About The Speakers

James Conca

James Conca is a renowned expert in nuclear waste management and energy geopolitics. With a background in geology and environmental science, he has served as Vice President at FANCO and Trustee at the Herbert M. Parker Foundation at Washington State University Tri-Cities. He has contributed to Forbes on energy topics and has extensive experience with sites like WIPP and Hanford.

View James Conca’s LinkedIn Profile.

Sukesh Aghara

Sukesh Aghara is a professor of nuclear engineering and associate dean for research at UMass Lowell's Francis College of Engineering. He leads the "Advanced Nuclear and Fusion Energy Roadmaps" initiative for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, exploring innovative technologies for power generation and other applications. His expertise includes nuclear safeguards, energy economics and policy, radiation shielding, and emerging energy solutions.

View Sukesha Aghara's LinkedIn Profile.
View Sukesha Aghara's UMass Lowell Biography.

Disability Accommodations

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Please contact this event’s organizer to make an accommodation request. (Please note: Requests submitted with less than 72 hours' notice may not be reasonable to provide certain accommodations).

Hosted by the Shah Academy for Leadership and Innovation.