Luis Ocampo Heraldo says AIREM supports Idaho National Laboratory's advanced fuels testing and nuclear safeguards

Luis Ocampo Heraldo, a scientist and team leader in AIREM’s nuclear and nonproliferation division, said his team supports advanced fuels testing and monitoring work for the Idaho National Laboratory, including evaluation of new facilities and their potential impact on nuclear safeguards. "The impact of our work in INEL's mission, in changing the world's energy future is that we're supporting the advanced fuels testing and also nuclear facilities all across the complex," he said.

Heraldó described the safeguards-related tasks his group performs, saying they are involved in the evaluation and monitoring of new facilities and in assessing how those facilities may affect nuclear safeguards. "We're supporting the evaluation, the monitoring of some of those new facilities, and the impact that they may have on nuclear safeguards," he said.

He framed the work as enabling peaceful uses of nuclear technology and advancing scientific capability. "This work is important because it enables the peaceful use of, nuclear energy and it advances our scientific capability for our energy future and it also develops innovative solutions that impact national and international security," he said. The remark tied the laboratory-focused testing and monitoring to broader objectives including energy research and security concerns.

Heraldó said AIREM’s portfolio is varied: some projects focus on international safeguards or national security, while others support new nuclear facilities that are being designed or built. "Some projects are related to international safeguards or national security, others are for new, nuclear facilities that are being designed or built," he said, adding that the team also supports technology efforts that "will enable us to, go explore other planets."

He emphasized the day-to-day variety of assignments within the group and described his work as mission-driven. "It's very exciting because every day is different, every project is completely different, and I get to use my skills to enable that mission," he said.

No formal actions, votes or external statutes were cited during these remarks. The presentation focused on AIREM’s role supporting laboratory testing, safeguards evaluation and monitoring, and a range of projects that include both security-related work and applications for space exploration.