Award Nominations & Information

Awards Information

Each year, WMS and its supporters recognize and present awards to several individuals based on their contributions in radioactive waste and radioactive material management. Below is a list of awards presented at the Honors & Awards Session, held at the annual WM Symposia Conference.

NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR WM2024!

To submit your nomination, log into the WMS website and select the appropriate WM2024 award button.

WMS Fellow Award
The WM Symposia (WMS) established the honor of Fellow in 2011. The objective is to recognize volunteers for distinguished contributions to the advancement of radioactive waste and radioactive material management. Elevation to the status of WMS Fellow is attained through peer recognition and confirmation by the WMS Board of Directors (BOD). Newly elected WMS Fellows are formally inducted into WMS Fellowship by the President of WMS. New WMS Fellows are recognized at the Tuesday Honors & Awards Luncheon at the annual conference.

Fellow Award nominations are due by July 31, 2023.

Fellow Award nomination information and criteria

WMS Young Professional Award
Starting at WM2017, WM Symposia will present a new award to recognize “Young Professionals” in our field.  The objective is to annually recognize one young professional for their distinguished contributions to the advancement of radioactive waste and radioactive material management. Elevation to the status of “Young Professional” is attained through peer recognition and confirmation by the WMS Board of Directors (BOD).

Young Professional Award nomination information and criteria

Wendell D. Weart Lifetime Achievement Award
The Wendell D. Weart Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the long-term commitment of the recipient to solving major nuclear waste challenges, which may include education, research, public policy, or implementation of solutions for managing nuclear wastes and whose actions have contributed to the resolution of significant nuclear waste management issues. This award is sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories.

Wendell D. Weart Lifetime Achievement Award nomination information and criteria

Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Award
WM Symposia has established the WMS Program Advisory Committee Award to annually recognize an individual whose outstanding contributions have helped make and keep the annual Waste Management Conference the world’s premier conference on the management and disposal of nuclear waste.

PAC Award nomination information and criteria

WMS/ASME Sarge Ozker Award
Named in honor of M. Sacid (Sarge) Ozker and established in 1980, this award is bestowed for distinguished service and eminent achievement in the commercialization of nuclear power/energy with particular emphasis in the field of radioactive waste management. It is presented by the Nuclear Engineering Division – Radwaste Systems Operating Committee of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Best Oral Presentations
WMS recognizes the two best oral presentation/papers from the previous year’s conference. The American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) presents an award for the best presentation/papers.

Best Poster Presentations
Judges select the best poster/paper based on technical quality and preparation of the work. Each track selects the best poster/paper for the best of conference.

All questions related to the WMS awards should be directed to Billy Morrison, Chair of the WM Honors & Awards Committee. He can be reached by email at wmorrison@energysolutions.com.

View the full list of award winners. Click the WM2023 awards program image below to view this year’s award winners.