Summit on the Role of RERs and AI/ML in the Development of Next-Generation Nuclear Workforce in Virginia and Beyond, VT Research Center, Arlington, February 19-20, 2026.

Summit description

The Summit will bring together leaders from academia, industry, government, and healthcare to define a coordinated strategy for advancing nuclear science, engineering, technology, and education in Virginia.

Central to this vision is the Virginia Research and Education Reactor (VA-RER)—a next-generation, dual-reactor (zero-power and ~10 MWth-class) facility designed to support education, research, isotope production, and technology validation. The VA-RER will provide a testbed for hardware and software innovation, digital instrumentation, and AI-assisted systems, while enabling medical isotope production to meet regional and national needs.

The Summit goal is to prepare a report by addressing the following topics:

  • Role of RERs in Workforce and Technology Development – Define strategies to leverage research reactors for education, training, and advanced R&D across Virginia’s universities.
  • AI, Digital Twins, and Immersive Learning – Integrate physics-based AI and digital technologies to enhance modeling, operations, and experiential learning.
  • Isotope Production and Industry Partnerships – Expand capabilities in isotope production and establish collaborations with healthcare and industrial partners.
  • Next-Generation Reactor Technologies – Advance validation of novel hardware, software, and autonomous systems to position Virginia as a national leader in nuclear innovation.

Registration

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Program

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Hotels, Airports & Restaurants

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Organization and Sponsorship

This Summit is organized by Dr. Alireza Haghighat, Professor and Director of Nuclear Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical Engineering, with funding support from the Small Modular and Advanced Reactor Training (SMART) Program. The Summit is further supported by Dr. Sola Talabi and Mr. Lee Huffman from Pittsburgh Technical, LLC, and Mr. Jeffery Whitt and Mr. Bob Bailey from the Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub - VIN Hub

Location

Virginia Tech Research Center
900 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22203

Contact Information

Prof. Alireza Haghighat
haghighat@vt.edu
(571) 858-3043 (Office)
(352) 871-1099 (Mobile)