INL taps industry senior leader to lead GAIN as the initiative continues to grow
Dr. Kemal Pasamehmetoglu, associate lab director of Idaho National Laboratory’s Nuclear Science & Technology directorate, has announced the selection of Westinghouse executive Dr. Rita Baranwal to serve as director of the INL-led Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative. As GAIN director, Baranwal will lead efforts to support the development of innovative reactor technologies in the U.S.
Pasamehmetoglu has served a dual role leading the GAIN initiative since it launched in late 2015, as well as INL’s Nuclear Science & Technology directorate at the nation’s lead nuclear energy laboratory. The addition of Baranwal will enable further growth as GAIN continues to expand. She will begin in her new role on Aug. 22.
“Rita brings a wealth of industry experience and nuclear fuels and materials science expertise to her new role,” Pasamehmetoglu said. “I’m confident that she will provide strong leadership for the GAIN initiative as it continues to grow as a catalyst for innovation in advanced nuclear technologies.”
Baranwal served most recently as director of Technology Development in the Engineering Center of Excellence at Westinghouse Electric Corporation and has held many other roles in nuclear fuel design and engineering. She holds a doctorate in materials science and engineering from the University of Michigan.
