The American Nuclear Society (ANS) has recognized Dr. Askin Guler Yigitoglu, a researcher from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), by naming her one of their 40 Under 40 in the nuclear sector. This acknowledgment, featured in Nuclear News magazine, is bestowed annually to professionals who are shaking things up in the nuclear industry through notable technical achievements and leadership.
According to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, specializing in risk and reliability for nuclear energy systems, Guler Yigitoglu leads research advancing safety in the industry. At ORNL's Modern Nuclear I&C Group, she develops probabilistic risk assessment methods for complex systems. She created the first component reliability database for molten salt reactors and is pioneering real-time risk assessment methods that support advancements in small modular reactors and risk-informed design.
Dr. Guler Yigitoglu earned her doctorate in nuclear engineering from The Ohio State University and holds a master’s and bachelor’s from Hacettepe University in Türkiye. In addition to being named to the ANS 40 Under 40 list, she received the 2025 Mary Jane Oestmann Professional Women’s Achievement Award, recognizing her contributions to the nuclear field.
ORNL’s research advances nuclear energy to meet U.S. energy needs and strengthen national security. Dr. Guler Yigitoglu’s inclusion in the ANS 40 Under 40 list highlights the lab’s innovative work and expertise in the field.
