Nuclear@PNNL: Genesis AI Mission | Early Career Awards | Waste Management Symposia 2026

March 2026

Research Accelerates AI for Nuclear Science, Energy and National Security

PNNL is playing a central role in the Department of Energy’s (DOE's) new Genesis Mission—an ambitious, nationwide effort to accelerate scientific discovery using advanced AI, robotics, and high‑performance computing. PNNL researchers are helping to build an integrated scientific infrastructure that connects data, instruments, and expertise across all 17 national labs. The work promises to shorten research timelines, strengthen national security and open new pathways for innovation. Learn how PNNL is contributing to this transformative initiative.

PNNL Scientists Earn Record Number of DOE Early Career Awards

Six PNNL researchers have been selected for the DOE's Early Career Research Awards, the most PNNL has ever received in a single year. The five-year awards provide significant support for foundational scientific work, ranging from advanced materials development to biotechnology. Among the awardees is nuclear chemist Richard Cox, who will investigate the chemical behavior of actinides—elements central to nuclear energy, environmental remediation, and nonproliferation. His work highlights how specialized facilities enable progress in areas that demand both expertise and careful handling. Want to see how early‑career innovation is shaping the future of nuclear science and beyond? Explore the full story.

Earthquake Data Helps Build a New AI Model for Science

Researchers from five DOE national laboratories are developing SeisModal, a new AI foundation model trained on over 16,000 recorded earthquakes. Using high-quality, publicly available seismic data, the team aims to create a reliable, multimodal tool that can interpret signals from waveforms to images. Designed to support nuclear nonproliferation research, SeisModal is versatile enough to address a wide range of scientific questions. Learn more about this collaboration.

PNNL presenters at Waste Management Symposia include AI, Used Nuclear Fuel, Remediation and Tank Waste Treatment

PNNL researchers join global peers at the Waste Management Symposia 2026 to discuss the future of environmental management and nuclear energy. Among PNNL's featured speakers are Laboratory Director Deb Gracio, a panelist on DOE's Genesis Mission and its use of AI to accelerate scientific discovery, and Interim Associate Laboratory Director Angela Becker-Dippmann, a panelist on how national laboratories support societal missions by building skills and critical nuclear infrastructure. Other presentations at the March 8-12 event highlight advances in complex cleanup, radioactive waste processing, subsurface modeling, materials transportation, and facility decommissioning. Learn more about this conference and how PNNL is contributing.

Namibia Partners with PNNL to Strengthen Counterproliferation

A recent PNNL-led workshop brought together subject matter experts and government representatives from the Republic of Namibia to advance the country’s counterproliferation finance frameworks. Held in Namibia and supported by the U.S. Department of State, the three‑day program focused on improving the detection of proliferation‑related financial activities and enhancing coordination across legal and operational systems. The workshop reflects a growing partnership and sustained commitment to addressing proliferation finance challenges. Learn how this work is helping nations close proliferation pathways.

Connect with PNNL at Upcoming Events

March 8-12: Waste Management Symposia 2026
March 15-19: The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS)
April 27-30: Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS 2026)
May 31-June 3: American Nuclear Society annual conference

Nuclear Careers

See the current nuclear-related career opportunities across PNNL research and operations missions on the Careers website, search for “nuclear.” Join our Talent Community and upload your resume to receive updates on future job postings. Current opportunities include:

PNNL's multidisciplinary expertise in nuclear science provides solutions to some of the world’s most complex environmental, radiological, and national security challenges.

Nuclear@PNNL gives readers a firsthand look at PNNL's focus on nuclear materials behavior, chemistry, forensics, and processing to advance nuclear energy, resolve legacy waste, and support national security. Each issue highlights the expertise of our researchers, their contributions to the nuclear mission space, and our state-of-the-art research facilities where discoveries and advancements are made.

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Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle and supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information about PNNL, visit PNNL's News Center. Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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