Stephen Streiffer, director of the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has received an American Nuclear Society (ANS) Presidential Citation in recognition of his leadership and contributions to advancing nuclear energy and innovation.
ANS Presidential Citations honor individuals who demonstrate outstanding effort for the benefit of the society. Streiffer was recognized for his commitment to advancing material science, enabling large-scale scientific infrastructure and advancing national laboratory science and nuclear innovation.
"This recognition from the American Nuclear Society, under the leadership of President Hashemian, is a profound honor," said Streiffer. "The coming years will be a transformative time for nuclear energy, and advanced scientific resources - from AI-driven supercomputers to powerful accelerators and tools of materials science - are critical to nuclear progress. As a national lab director, it is my privilege to lead the many talented people at ORNL whose ingenuity and dedication is shaping a future of abundant, reliable energy."
Streiffer came to ORNL in 2023 and has since positioned the lab's signature research capabilities and facilities as a key driver of East Tennessee's push for a nuclear resurgence. Under his leadership, ORNL has developed relationships to accelerate nuclear technology and licensing, including a partnership with Kairos Power to deliver 3D-printed polymer composite forms for casting complex, high-precision concrete structures for the company's demonstration reactor. The lab also recently announced a collaboration with artificial intelligence company Atomic Canyon to apply the lab's supercomputing capabilities to use AI for license application reviews, streamlining the licensing process for new nuclear reactors.
As ORNL director, Streiffer leads more than 7,400 staff members in fulfilling the laboratory's mission to deliver scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in energy and national security, accelerate innovation and increase U.S. competitiveness. ORNL's nuclear research supports DOE's goal of developing affordable, abundant and competitive energy technologies.
Streiffer received his citation from ANS President Hash Hashemian during the opening plenary session of the ANS Winter Conference in Washington, D.C. November 10-13, 2025.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. - Liz McCrory
