Jenny Tobin, a UNM graduate student in Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, presented research findings recently on the topic of nuclear safety. Her presentation was featured at the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management’s 45th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.
“Nuclear Reactions: A Summary,” authored by Tobin, is a compilation of a number of surveys done statewide and nationally for the UNM’s Institute for Public Policy. Analyses were done over a period of ten years to assess how the perception of risk varies regarding nuclear material transportation and storage.
Tobin summarized how national and regional populations, specifically in areas of nuclear activity such as WIPP and Yucca Mountain, feel about safety measures developed and enforced by the nuclear industry. Findings showed that attention to safety and commitment to education has the greatest impact on the level of trust the population placed in the industry. Federal research funding is directly linked to popular support, so the nuclear energy industry must adequately identify and address public concerns about risk.
This summer Tobin is participating in the New Mexico Fellows Program with the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The program introduces advanced college and graduate students to public service and state government.
Tobin is working on her master’s thesis, tentatively titled “Comparison of Generation IV Reactor Fuel Cycles with Respect to Potential Proliferation Risks.”
Tobin earned bachelor degrees in physics and chemistry from Albion College in Michigan. She is currently a contributor to a new exhibit on nuclear energy at the National Atomic Museum, where she also volunteers.
Contact: Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816