COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The first student chapter in the history of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) has been formed this semester at Texas A&M University.

INMM aims to promote education and research in the field of nuclear materials management, with an emphasis on nuclear nonproliferation, accountability, and international safeguards and materials control.

Texas A&M chapter president Karen Miller said she feels that this is an exciting opportunity for Texas A&M to open people's eyes to the threat of nuclear arms.

"I not only want to help this chapter grow, but I want to teach students about the importance of nuclear materials management," Miller said.

Texas A&M student chapter activities will consist of a biweekly student forum, alternating with outside speakers. Hosted speakers will include representatives from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Oak Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratories, and the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Other activities will include social events and a research paper contest at the national INMM meeting.

Chapter adviser and associate professor Dr. William Charlton said this organization is extremely important for the students and the future.

"In today's world, the threat of terrorists using a nuclear or radiological weapon is greater than ever, and it is crucial that we have young minds with both a technical and political mindset thinking creatively about how to prevent the spread of nuclear and radiological weapons," Charlton said.

This is not the first time Aggie nuclear engineering students have formed the "first-ever" student chapter of a professional society. Students in the department organized the first-ever chapter of Women in Nuclear at Texas A&M in 2004.

Students from all disciplines and majors are encouraged to join. Information about meetings and upcoming events can be found at http://inmm.tamu.edu.

For more information, contact

Source: Dr. William Charlton

wcharlton@tamu.edu

Reporter: Adam Dziedzic
teeswriter1@tamu.edu

News Story 1240, October 14, 2005

Direct page link:
http://engineeringnews.tamu.edu/news/1240

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