Xingang Zhao, an R&D associate staff member at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has garnered the Ted Quinn Early Career Award at this year's American Nuclear Society Annual Conference. Zhao, a key player in the field of nuclear instrumentation and control, was lauded for his trailblazing contributions, particularly concerning human-machine interface technologies, according to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Ted Quinn Early Career Award, established five years ago, shines a spotlight on individuals exhibiting exceptional promise in their field early in their careers. The honor, named after the nuclear industry stalwart and former American Nuclear Society President, Ted Quinn, recognizes Zhao's work with digital twins, artificial intelligence, and decision science, all vital components in pushing the envelope for nuclear power plant safety and efficiency. Despite the prestige, Zhao is just one of three ORNL researchers since 2022 to achieve this distinction.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory reports Zhao's significant role in the confluence of thermal hydraulics, nuclear instrumentation, and advanced computational technology. His expertise stretches across a range of pioneering research projects, from legacy to next-generation nuclear reactors, where he helps to extend the state-of-the-art in modeling, simulation, and digital engineering.

Before his current position at ORNL, Zhao laid the foundation for his career with a doctorate in nuclear science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined the lab as a staff member in 2022, following a stint as a postdoctoral associate, quickly ascending as a notable figure in a sector where progress and precision are paramount.