Mickey Wade has been named associate laboratory director for the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, effective April 1.

“To reach the nation’s clean energy goals, we must develop and deploy nuclear energy technologies. Given his experience in industry and the national lab system, Mickey is the perfect choice to ensure ORNL is applying its leading expertise and capabilities to help the United States reach net zero,” interim ORNL Director Jeff Smith said.

In his new role, Wade will oversee the directorate’s unique facilities, capabilities and skilled scientists and engineers who are tackling such challenges as extending operations of the current U.S. nuclear reactor fleet, investigating economical and flexible advanced reactor systems and making fusion energy a viable power source. ORNL’s Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate leverages synergies between fusion and fission across domestic and international programs.

“The lab has a storied history in addressing compelling national challenges in energy, national security and environmental science through world-class research on harnessing atomic energy, neutron science, plasma physics and advanced nuclear technologies. The Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate will continue this proud tradition of combining vibrant research programs, reliable facilities and cutting-edge expertise to accelerate the development of fusion and advanced fission energy systems,” Wade said. “This effort will be central to delivering sustainable clean energy technologies to address urgent national challenges.”