Next Breakfast Seminar: Sept. 24, 2026
Jed Hancock, President, Space Dynamics Laboratory
Embedded Files
Current Issue of Technology on the Forefront
Hear how satellites are essential to many things and how the SDL is an important player.
Peter Trapa
Peter Trapa named deputy provost. A key responsibility for Trapa will be providing guidance and support to deans as the university embarks on changes to modernize key business and adminstrative functions. In addition, Trapa will work closely with Unviersity of Utah President Taylor Randall and Executive VP for Academinc Affairs and Provost Mitzi Montoya on adademic budgeting and academic space management.
Christopher Hacon serves as newly appointed Department Chair for Mathematics. Hacon brings that same ambition to a new role, this time as an ambassador of math and science at the U and beyond. The appointment, according to outgoing chair Tommaso de Fernex, could not be more fortuitous. "His international stature in the field of algebraic geometry is immense," De Fernex says of his colleague, "marked by revolutionary research and a prominent global standing" further reflected in numerous prestigious awards, distinguished memberships and service to the profession in several prominent roles.
Christopher Hacon
Photo credit: Todd Anderson
April 29, 2026
2026 UAES Nuclear Recycling Simpson.pdf
Pearl Sandick, PhD
March 5, 2026
2026 CoS-AI-March2026.pdf
Induction ceremony for the class of 2025 preceded the speaker. Standing with each inductee is Sidney Green, Chair of UtahAES:
Dr. Michael Free, Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah
Mr. Niel Holt, Strategic Development, Space Dynamics Laboratory
Dr. Michael Kim McCarter, Mining Engineering - Emeritus, University of Utah
Dr. Radivoje Zarubica, Communications & Counter-Communications, L3Harris
And for the classes of 2024 to 2022 (these were present):
Dr. Eric Hall, L3Harris, Dr. John McLennan, University of Utah, Mr. David George, Kennecott, Dr. Thomas Giallorenzi, L3Harris
Nominations for Governor's Science & Technology medal
Nominations for the Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology are now closed.
This award recognizes the distinguished service, significant achievements, and positive economic impact of individuals and companies in science, research, STEM education or deep technology.
Nominations are accepted in three categories:
Academic/Research
Education — K-12
Industry — Individual or Company
Nominations close on February 16, 2026.
Artificial Intelligence
Part two: was held Nov. 20, 2025
2025 AI Part 2 UAS-11-2025-N.pdfArtificial Intelligence
Part one: Seminar was held Oct. 22, 2025
2025 AI Part 1 10-srikumar.pdfJune 2025- Member Dr. Glenn E. Sjoden University of Utah awarded Fellow from American Nuclear Society.
Outstanding leadership as a teacher in the nuclear field.
In recognition of pioneering parallel computing in particle transport equations and adaptive numerical methods, impacting reactor core modeling, fuel burnup, nuclear security, and medical diagnostics. For contributing to advancement of U.S. national security in treaty compliance, nuclear forensics, and global nonproliferation. For mentoring and educating the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists.
Final Spring 2025 Breakfast Seminar was May 21, 2025.
Peter Trapa, Vice Provost and Senior Dean of the Colleges and Schools of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dr. Trapa spoke on strategies to strengthen collaboration across our liberal arts and sciences programs while advancing student success and research excellence.
2025 Governor's Medal for Science and Technology:
This award recognizes those who provide meaningful contributions in science, research, STEM education, or deep technology. Nominations can be in one of three categories: education – K-12, academic/research, or industry – individual or company. (Nominations closed, Feb. 29, 2025)
Many of you recognize this award and have even received it. Including in alphabetical order: Dell Allen, Michael Alder, Richard Brown, Mary Beckerle, Cynthia Burrows, Mario Capecchi, Dana Carroll, Thure Cerling, Sidney Green, Erik Jorgensen, Jan Miller, Dinesh Patel, Dale Poulter, David Pershing, Gerald Stringfellow, Peter Stang and Henry White.
This year's awards were presented on May 21, 2025 at This is the Place Heritage Park. All past recipients were invited to attend.
Utah's Contribution to National Security | April 30, 2025
Dr. Pat Patterson, Dir. Advanced Concepts, Space Dynamics Lab
Mr. John Curtis, VP Engineering, L3Harris
Dr. Anderegg presented on effects of drought, and insect stress on trees, changes to carbon sequestration from forests and the surprising albedo effect of forests on March 27 at the Alta Club.
Recent Breakfast Seminar: February 18, 2025
Panel discussion on Nuclear developments
Sidney Green, moderating and speaking on recent changes in nuclear electricity.
Professor Glenn Sjoden, speaking on radiation shielding and spent fuel disposition.
William R. Gould, speaking on public perceptions and costs.
Richard Walje, speaking on grid issues and water consumption.
Tim Kowalchik, speaking on Utah’s interests in nuclear.
Click below to view presentations:
2025 UTAH AES.pdf
Dr. Charles Musgrave, the new Dean of Engineering, spoke January 22, on managing the University of Utah teaching, research, and economic opportunities as he oversees the largest non-medical College in terms of enrollment and research funding.
Great presentation on 'disruptors' that caused great innovations! Here are his slides:
2025_MusgraveUtahAES.pdfThe 2024 UtahAES Annual Dinner was held at the Commanders House at Fort Douglas.
UtahAES House Presentation2024.pdfClick and hold sidebar (black border on presentation) on right to scroll through Nick's presentation. Or pop out to open in new window.
Following the well received 2023 Breakfast Series, another 3-part series was held in 2024.
Following the well received 2023 Breakfast Series, another 3-part series was held in 2024.
Seminar May 16 - Observations, Opportunities, and Risks of the Energy Transition.
The final 2024 energy series seminar focused on Global Energy Security by summarizing observations that have emerged, along with the opportunities and the risks of the on-going energy transition. Download White Paper here.
Presented by Sidney Green, Founder and Principal of EPI in Salt Lake City, Chair of the Utah Academy of Engineering and Science, Member of the US National Academy of Engineering, and Research Professor at the University of Utah. This Seminar was an invited discussion presentation April 17th at the US Congressional Research Service in Wash. D.C. and is background for participation and presentation at the Global Energy Security meeting in Tokyo May 21-23.
Seminar from April 25 - Carbon Capture & Sequestration- What is working and what isn't.
Capture of Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere as well as point emission sources and its storage (CCS) is one of the technologies being considered as part of the portfolio of technical solutions to achieve net zero and decarbonization goals in response to climate change. In the US there is significant momentum in developing geologic CO2 storage projects due to major policy initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This talk provided an overview of the CCS technology and its current status. Download presentation here.
Presented by Dr. Rajesh Pawar - Senior Technical Advisor to the Carbon Transport & Storage Team of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy & Carbon Management. Prior to this, he was a Senior Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory with over 20 years of experience in CO2 Capture, Utilization & Storage research, primarily focused on geologic CO2 storage and utilization. PhD in Chemical Engineering from University of Utah.
Seminar on March 14 - Identifying key gaps in knowledge and research opportunities limiting the use of Hydrogen as a 'universal' fuel.
Momentum is building for a hydrogen-based economy. Although large-scale use of hydrogen for a variety of industrial processes is common, what is meant by a hydrogen-based economy is not well understood by all. As a way to better understand hydrogen, this presentation addresses methods of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization including efficiencies in each of the key steps. Energy requirements and water usage for hydrogen production and use will be discussed. A balanced view is presented of hydrogen as a ‘universal fuel’, along with identification of key gaps in technologies where research is required. Download presentation here.
Presented by Dr. Milind Deo, Professor and Dir. Energy & Geoscience Institute, Univ. of Utah.
$7M TO BUILD BIGGER, BETTER LIFE SCIENCES WORKFORCE
November 21, 2023 Utah’s life sciences industry is booming—so much so that there’s a gap between the workers that bioscience companies need to grow and the college graduates to fill those jobs.
November 21, 2023 Utah’s life sciences industry is booming—so much so that there’s a gap between the workers that bioscience companies need to grow and the college graduates to fill those jobs.
A new partnership between the state of Utah, higher education, and life sciences industry leaders aims to keep Utah competitive globally by training and supporting students entering the workforce with highly technical skills. The University of Utah and Utah State University will be leading the effort to close that gap. Read the full article.
Introducing a UtahAES Breakfast Seminar Series
Introducing a UtahAES Breakfast Seminar Series
April - June 2023 The breakfast series is a 3-part series of lectures presented over breakfast at the Alta Club in downtown Salt Lake City. The goal was to present highly technical information, trends and updates distilled by industry experts to all attendees.
April - June 2023 The breakfast series is a 3-part series of lectures presented over breakfast at the Alta Club in downtown Salt Lake City. The goal was to present highly technical information, trends and updates distilled by industry experts to all attendees.
First in the series was a presentation by Professor Sidney Green, "Update of the Energy Change Underway". Second in the series was Professor Glenn Sjoden, Director Nuclear Engineering Program at University of Utah, presenting "Nuclear Energy: Part of the Carbon Free Solution". Third in the series was Dr. Tom Giallorenzi, L3Harris, view his presentation "Advancements in the Field of Radio Communications".
First in the series was a presentation by Professor Sidney Green, "Update of the Energy Change Underway". Second in the series was Professor Glenn Sjoden, Director Nuclear Engineering Program at University of Utah, presenting "Nuclear Energy: Part of the Carbon Free Solution". Third in the series was Dr. Tom Giallorenzi, L3Harris, view his presentation "Advancements in the Field of Radio Communications".
This is the last UtahAES breakfast seminar until spring 2024.
This is the last UtahAES breakfast seminar until spring 2024.
Sidney Green, University of Utah
Dr. Glenn Sjoden, University of Utah
Dr. Thomas Giallorenzi, L3Harris
2023 Utah Governor's Medal for Science and Technology. Expand for details.
2023 Utah Governor's Medal for Science and Technology. Expand for details.
February 8, 2023- The Governor’s Science Medal recognizes distinguished service, significant achievements, and positive economic impact of individuals and companies to the state of Utah and beyond in science and technology. Governor Cox will present this year's medals at the One Utah Summit on May 2, 2023.
February 8, 2023- The Governor’s Science Medal recognizes distinguished service, significant achievements, and positive economic impact of individuals and companies to the state of Utah and beyond in science and technology. Governor Cox will present this year's medals at the One Utah Summit on May 2, 2023.
Cross-section of the System-integrated Modular Advanced Reactor, a type of small modular reactor developed by the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute. Image courtesy of Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute.
UtahAES Nuclear Seminar Sept. 19th
UtahAES Nuclear Seminar Sept. 19th
Dr. Steven Aumeier from the Idaho National Laboratory presented, “Perspectives Regarding Nuclear Reactors”.
September 19th, 2022 at University of Utah, Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building Auditorium
Announcement details: ...nuclear fission reactors have long been part of the world energy supply, and provide about 2% of total annual world energy. This contribution is about 10% of the annual world electricity and over 20% of the US annual electricity.
expand to continue reading about the nuclear talk
The Departments of Chemical Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering and UtahAES welcomed Dr. Steven Aumeier.
Prof. John McLennan, Chemical Engineering introduced the Seminar and Prof. Glenn Sjoden, Civil & Environmental Engineering and Research Prof. Sidney Green, Mechanical Engineering will serve as moderators.
As background, nuclear fission reactors have long been part of the world energy supply, and provide about 2% of total annual world energy. This contribution is about 10% of the annual world electricity and over 20% of the US annual electricity. Nuclear energy could potentially provide a much larger portion of world energy that substantially reduces CO2 emissions. However, when considering nuclear energy, complex issues must be addressed. Perceptions of these issues are often greatly incorrect, with advocates not appreciating the complex issues, while dissuaders' misconceptions are often based on lack of understanding and fear of nuclear radiation and the potential of benefiting nuclear weapons. The Seminar is aimed to provide factual, objective information, regarding ‘modular, small-scale’ nuclear reactors.
Dr. Steven Aumeier is Senior Advisor, Strategic Programs at INL and has published widely on nuclear energy; additionally, Commissioner Paul Kjellander, past Pres. National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, past Pres. Idaho Public Utility Commission, and currently leading aspects of the INL Regional Frontiers Project.
The Seminar was sponsored by Sidney Green and Bert Bunnell.
2023 Annual Meeting
2023 Annual Meeting
The third annual Members dinner & meeting was held at the Alta Club in Salt Lake, December 3, 2023. Three speakers presented on energy topics relevant to Utahans.
Geothermal Energy Research in Central Utah – Dr. John McLennan
Nuclear Small Modular Reactors for Utah electricity – Dr. Glenn Sjoden
The Chevron-Mitsubishi underground natural gas-hydrogen storage and production in utah – Dr. Milind Deo
Meet the Chair
Meet the Chair
Sidney Green is an organizer and serves as the first Chair of the UtahAES. He is a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and a Salt Lake City resident since 1970. He is currently founder/president of Enhanced Production, Inc. and a Research Professor at the University of Utah.
He served as CEO/president of TerraTek, the first commercial company in the University of Utah Research Park, until it was acquired by a large oil services company in 2006. He has been active with Utah high-technology business development as both a direct participant involved with a number of start-up Utah companies and with State educational and development programs. He was the first chair/president and director of the Utah Technology Finance Corporation, served on the Utah Advisory Council for Science and Technology, was Trustee for the Coalition for Utah's Future, was Trustee for the Utah Science Center Authority, was a member of the US Small Business Administration Regional Advisory Board, and was a Director of the Small Business High Technology Institute.
His background includes: technical contributions in the area of rock mechanics and geomechanics including development of high-pressure rock characterization; creation of innovative products and services leading to successful businesses; executive leadership with small and large businesses worldwide; mentoring of many individuals and start-up businesses; and extensive local and national volunteer community service.
He is a past recipient of the Outstanding Professional Engineer of Utah award, the Mountain West Venture Group, Entrepreneur of the Year award, and the University of Utah Honorary Alumni award.
Founders Meeting Fall 2021
Founders Meeting Fall 2021
First annual Members dinner & first meeting was held at the Alta Club in Salt Lake, October 2nd, 2021. All but 4 founding members were able to attend.
UtahAES received its tax-exempt status March, 2022.
UtahAES received its tax-exempt status March, 2022.
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