University of Regina Chapter Trip to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Submitted by Suganthan Boobalan

This August, a group of us from the University of Regina had the incredible opportunity to visit Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) at Chalk River. What made this even more special is that as NAYGN members, we were able to join research students and post-docs on this journey, something we might not have experienced otherwise.

Over four days, we were immersed in the world of nuclear science and innovation. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed into seminars and technical sessions that gave us a window into the future of nuclear technology.

We learned about advanced reactor development, molten salt technologies, and severe accident analysis, areas that push the boundaries of safety and innovation in nuclear power. We explored fuel labs and hot cells, where cutting-edge experiments are shaping how we approach fuel cycles. Sessions on hybrid energy systems and nuclear forensics gave us a broader perspective on how nuclear science connects with cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and even space research.

Each day balanced classroom-style presentations with guided tours through labs and facilities, like walking through waste processing technology halls or seeing firsthand how molten salt research is being advanced. These weren’t just lectures; they were conversations with some of the top scientists and engineers in the nuclear industry.

For us as NAYGN members, this trip was more than just a visit, it was a transformative learning experience. We came away with not only technical knowledge but also a stronger sense of how we fit into the bigger mission of building the future of clean, safe nuclear energy.

It was truly inspiring to learn directly from leaders at the forefront of nuclear innovation, and we are grateful that NAYGN and Dr. Arthur Situm (UofR Prof) gave us the platform to be part of this journey.