Lyons selected for Eisenhower Medal

A distinguished career: During his career, Lyons worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory, as a commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and as assistant secretary for nuclear energy in the Department of Energy. In 1997, after nearly three decades at LANL, Lyons joined the staff of Sen. Pete Domenici (R., N.M.) as a scientific advisor. In that role he crafted Domenici’s “A New Nuclear Paradigm” speech, which set a foundation for the resurgence of nuclear power in the United States.

Lyons also helped Domenici lay the groundwork for the Nuclear Energy Research Initiative and the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems program. At the DOE, Lyons championed efforts to secure federal funding for small modular reactor development and for the Nuclear Energy University Program, among many other contributions to the future of nuclear energy.

A high honor: The Eisenhower Medal is awarded to individuals in recognition of outstanding leadership in public policy for nuclear science and technology or outstanding contributions to the field of nuclear nonproliferation. It was established in 2014 by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Division and was elevated to the status of a top-tier ANS award in 2018.