U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Evan Barnett, a nuclear engineer, has led efforts to recycle excess nuclear weapons uranium into nuclear fuel for submarines and aircraft carriers.

The recycling of Cold War stockpiles obviates the need to operate a costly uranium enrichment facility and is estimated to have saved the Government over $100 million per year. Barnett has overseen the development of a new manufacturing process for this recycled uranium. The final process is more cost effective and environmentally friendly than the old method. He continues to lead improvements in fuel product quality, and has defined plans to develop fuel so future nuclear-powered warships are even more capable. 

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Dennis Evangelista, a nuclear engineer with the Advanced Submarines Division at Naval Reactors Headquarters, is developing advanced propulsion concepts and integrating nuclear propulsion systems with the submarine’s other systems for future designs.

Evangelista is working to replace steam systems with electrical systems in the next generation of nuclear powered submarines. He also uses his skills to keep the country’s only nuclear-powered, deep-diving research submarine in top operating condition. Evangelista recently completed studies of concept designs for a nuclear-powered deep-diving research submarince including the sizing reactor and propulsion plant components, plant arrangement, and overall ship integration aspects. 

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Brian Gollatz, an engineer, is the Reactor Control Assistant on the U.S.S. Rhode Island Trident ballistic missile submarine. He is responsible for day-to-day operation of the submarine’s nuclear reactor control and monitoring instrumentation systems.

Gollatz supervises and trains a division of eight nuclear trained technicians and also the supervision of an on-watch team of mechanical, electrical, and electronics trained personnel in the actual operation of the ship’s nuclear propulsion plant. He is qualified to serve as the Commanding Officer’s direct representative in charge of the entire ship.

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Brian Hogan, an engineer, serves as the Damage Control Assistant aboard the U.S.S. City of Corpus Christi nuclear-powered attack submarine. Hogan is responsible for non-nuclear hydraulic-mechanical systems, including all atmospheric support systems. He reviews all controlled engineering repairs on the ship.

Hogan was part of a team of engineers overseeing the refueling of the reactor plant and the overhaul of associated systems. LTJG Hogan worked closely with nuclear physicists and design engineers to test the reactor plant during its initial criticality, and then conducted subsequent reactor plant, steam plant, and electrical system design testing.

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Natasha Houldson, an engineer with the Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington D.C., develops nuclear steam generators for the Navy’s next generation of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. 

Houldson led a team of scientists and engineers who advanced the state-of-the-art to improve both power density and reliability in the nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and reduce acquisition costs by $10 million. In addition, Houldson designed the reactor coolant pumps for the aircraft carrier project. She has played a major role in developing two key nuclear components valued at more than $200 million.

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Daniel Santos, P.E., an engineer at the Naval Reactors Headquarters in Washington D.C., is responsible for reactor controls equipment and electrical systems in the Navy’s Trident ballistic missile submarines, two land-based prototype nuclear propulsion plants, and two new equipment development programs.

Santos has achieved noteworthy success in developing new equipment involving full-scale operation of a modern all-electronic power supply. He has also managed troubleshooting issues with operating shipboard equipment as well as provided leadership in research and development programs.

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Andre Lester, an engineer, has one of the most challenging engineering assignments in the world: the safe maintenance, navigation and propulsion plant operation of the U.S.S. Maine, a nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine.

Lester is responsible for ensuring first-time quality maintenance throughout the U.S.S. Maine, from reactor plant piping to seawater hull valves to communications antennae. His attention to details and extensive knowledge of maintenance procedures is directly responsible for zero rework or adverse quality assurance issues for two consecutive patrol cycles, including an arduous drydocking. 

Rebecca Wehrer, an engineer with Bechtel Bettis, Inc., has been instrumental in the rapid development of advanced semiconductors for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion. 

Wehrer’s contributions have helped establish innovative semiconductor device architectures, process methods, and characterization tools unprecedented in the technical community. Her work not only has the potential to make Navy nuclear-powered warships more capable, it also has potential for commercial applications in remote power generation, industrial power production, satellite power, and portable heat/power cogeneration. Her work has been published in technical journals and she has given presentations to her peers at international conferences.

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Ryan MacGregor, an engineer serving aboard the U.S.S Alabama Trident ballistic missile submarine, leads a team of 11 men in the operation of the ship’s nuclear reactor.

As the Electrical Officer, MacGregor supervised emergent underway repairs to the ship’s system, allowing the ship to meet its strategic mission. His early successes lead to assignment as the Quality Assurance Officer. In this capacity he coordinated and supervised over 150 complex repair jobs during an arduous 80,000 man-hour refit. As the Damage Control assistant, he maintained the integrity of 70% of the ship’s fluid systems. MacGregor has earned Junior Officer of the Year titles from external organizations. 

U.S. Naval Officer LTJG Tiffanie Norris, an engineer serving aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz, leads over 40 men and women in the operation and maintenance of the equipment which provides the electrical power for the ship.

Norris leads the Reactor Electrical Division onboard the aircraft carrier. She also maintains responsibility over the operation of the ship’s power-generating nuclear reactors while standing as Propulsion Plant Watch Officer.