Special Keynote Speakers to Address 2014 NAYGN Conference

The 2014 NAYGN Workshop and Conference, Innovation Generation: Young Professionals Advancing Nuclear Technology, will focus on methods and applications that young professionals could apply to help revolutionize the nuclear energy industry. On the theme of innovation, NAYGN is very excited for the conference to have two very special keynote addresses from renowned experts Dr. Roberta Ness and Mr. Ted Nordhaus.

Roberta B. Ness, MD, MPH, is dean of the University of Texas School of Public Health and is a recognized expert in women’s health research. Dr. Ness is also vice president of innovation for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). She is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science, a fellow of the American College of Physicians and past-president of the American College of Epidemiology.

Dr. Ness is the author of Innovation Generation: How to produce creative and useful scientific ideas. In her book, Dr. Ness provides tools necessary for scientists, researchers, and engineers to become more innovative. Based on an extraordinarily successful program at the University of Texas, this book provides proven techniques to expand your ability to generate original ideas.

Ted Nordhaus is chairman of Breakthrough Institute, a leading global think tank on energy, economic innovation, and conservation. His 2007 book Break Through: from the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility, coauthored with Michael Shellenberger, was called "prescient" by TIME and "the best thing to happen to environbmentalism since Silent Spring" by Wired.

Together, Shellenberger and Nordhaus are leading global thinkers on energy, climate, security, human development, and politics. They proposed "making clean energy cheap," explained why the Kyoto climate treaty failed, and pointed a way forward for climate policy in the Wall Street Journal.

Young professionals and students across all areas of nuclear science and technology will benefit from the conference. Conference participants will obtain tools to promote innovation, become aware of current best practices, and network with other prospective industry leaders. Please register to attend so you don't miss out!