Leading nuclear engineering researcher wins national award

For any researcher, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues is among the most satisfying of professional achievements.

University of Ontario Institute of Technology researcher Igor Pioro, PhD, certainly has made his mark throughout a 35-year nuclear engineering research career.

For his longstanding contributions to the development of nuclear energy in Canada, Dr. Pioro is the 2017 winner of the Canadian Nuclear Society/Canadian Nuclear Association (CNS/CNA) Harold A. Smith Outstanding Contribution Award. He received the award in early June at the 37th CNS Annual Conference and 41st CNS-CNA Student Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

The Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science professor’s research focuses on nuclear energy systems, thermal hydraulics of nuclear reactors and the development of ‘Generation IV’ reactor concepts (future nuclear reactors with improved safety, efficiency and cost considerations). Dr. Pioro has authored or co-authored more than 450 publications, including technical handbooks, reference books, encyclopedia chapters, papers in refereed journals, patents and inventions. Beyond his extensive research, with FESNS he continues to advocate for nuclear energy education in Canada and internationally.

The Canadian Nuclear Association established the Outstanding Contribution Award in 1989. In 2014, it was renamed the Harold A. Smith Outstanding Contribution Award in honour of Harold A. Smith of Ontario Hydro, one of the key players in the establishment of the Canadian Nuclear Power Program.

Previous Harold A. Smith Outstanding Contribution Award winners from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology

• 2016: John Froats
• 2013: Brent Lewis
• 2005: George Bereznai