National representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy are coming to The University of New Mexico as part of Nuclear Science Week.

“The contributions of nuclear science are many, and recognizing the importance of nuclear innovations in medicine, energy and social responsibilities is crucial in providing the public with pertinent information about our future as a nation and around the world,” said Jim Walther, director of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History and chair of the NSW steering committee.

This year, the Nuclear Science Week Big Event Colloquial Panel will be hosted in the Student Union Building (SUB) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on Monday, Oct. 15. 

Panelists will include scientists from Los Alamos National Labs, the Department of Energy, Stanford University and the UNM School of Medicine, among others. All keynote and panel discussions are free and open to the public. 

Click here to view a full schedule of speakers and topics.

A number of events take place nationally and internationally during Nuclear Science Week. It is celebrated in cities big and small, and any community is invited to get involved and host a Nuclear Science Week celebration. Each year, a different city is chosen to host a “Big Event.” This year’s Big Event will be held in Albuquerque, with smaller celebrations in states across the country.

Later in the week, the DOE is partnering with National Museum of Nuclear Science & History to host the Millennial Nuclear Caucus on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Hotel Albuquerque. It is also free and open to the public. 

The Millennial Nuclear Caucuses are a series of events that bring together the next generation of leaders in nuclear innovation. This year’s theme includes "Nuclear Science in Pop Culture." It will feature nuclear scientists, policymakers and thought leaders discussing the intersection of nuclear science and pop culture.

Nuclear energy provides nearly 20 percent of our nation's electricity and is our largest source of clean, carbon-free energy. Meanwhile, nuclear science has a long, interesting and sometimes strange role in popular culture, appearing in everything from The Simpsons to Back to the Future and The Martian.

Click here to RSVP or read more about the caucus