Awards of Excellence

Recognizing exceptional talent and dedication

The CNL Awards of Excellence recognize individuals and teams whose exceptional talent, dedication and accomplishments help CNL deliver on its brand promise as Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization.

D.F. Torgerson Discovery Award

CNL’s Awards of Excellence are organized into two categories. The first, known as the D.F. Torgerson Discovery Award, is named after CNL’s former Executive Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Dave Torgerson, and recognizes employees for the generation of new or innovative ideas and solutions, significant research or technical achievements, and new business initiatives.

Distinguished Merit Award

The Distinguished Merit Award is given to employees who have made exceptional contributions in productivity improvements, achievements of increased revenue, decreased operating costs, safety innovation or environmental initiatives, development or strengthening of new or existing partnerships, and the exploitation of these results.

2024/2025 Award Recipients

10 November, 2025

Distinguished Merit Award: Outstanding Regulatory Delivery For The Near Surface Disposal Facility

Awarded to Akhila Paul, Blair Kelley, Claire Simister, Craig Cochrane, Craig Noel, Dan Cobus, Emily Woodcox, Jake Eddy, Kaylin Lambert, Kyle Baker, Kyle Phillips, Laura Howat, Meghan Murrant, Nick Rose, Paul Rubinato, Shannon Tallon, Shelly Ball, Stephane Ngueleu Kamangou, Thomas Frye, and Thomas Wilson

For Outstanding Regulatory Delivery Through Collaboration and Commitment in support of the Near Surface Disposal Facility

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued a Record of Decision authorizing CNL to start the construction of the Near Surface Disposal Facility. The Record of Decision included new regulatory items that were added to the CRL Operating Licence (NRTEOL-01.01/2028) notably preparing a report capturing the data of the Environmental Assessment Follow-up Monitoring Program as well meeting Environment and Climate Change Canada regulatory requirements including the submission of a detailed report under the Species at Risk permit issued for this project. A Record of Decision was anticipated within this timeframe and employees had already begun collecting baseline data in preparation for the project. However, the issuance of the Record of Decision transformed the context entirely, elevating the importance of the work and turning preliminary data gathering into a mission-critical task of formally establishing and kick-starting a large, comprehensive, quality-assured, monitoring program covering surface water monitoring, ambient air monitoring, sediment monitoring, groundwater monitoring, and biodiversity monitoring. What had been baseline data collection became the foundation for a fully implemented monitoring program upon which regulatory success now depended on. The team’s work delivers both immediate and long-term benefits, and their success essentially enabled the green light on this key initiative and avoided any costly standstills.

10 November, 2025

Distinguished Merit Award: PHAI Historic Waste Project Small Scale Sites Construction Monitoring

Awarded to Adam Vahamaki, Adetayo Onikosi, Badereddin Alsadi, Heather Jones, Tim Rowe and Trevor McConnell

For the Port Hope Area Initiative Historic Waste Project Small Scale Sites Construction

The practice of the Construction Monitoring Program (CMP) used within the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) project has proved to provide a large cost savings for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the Municipality of Port Hope (MPH), while also expediting the work with schedule efficiency. Once an area of contamination is known, a property owner or the municipality (if municipality owned) has the option to have a portion of their property remediated outside of the schedule established for Characterization, Engineering Design, and Remediation / Restoration (CEDRR) remediation and restoration. The remediation is initiated and directed by the property owner using a PHAI-approved contractor; that is – the area and extent of remediation performed on the property is directed by the property owner. The CMP process allows the property owner to have low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) remediated without requiring the full CEDRR approach, which provides for an abbreviated schedule to perform remediation at a substantially reduced cost. The nominees are to be commended on taking what was once a vague vision and working unwaveringly to achieve a significant improvement and advancement for small scale sites, the Historic Waste Program and MPH – which ultimately benefits AECL and the citizens of Port Hope with improved stewardship and perception of how tax dollars are spent via the PHAI.

10 November, 2025

Distinguished Merit Award: Self-Performed Interior Exterior Remediation Model

Awarded to Dylan Wellman

For The Self-Performed Interior Exterior Remediation Model

This individual played a pivotal role in addressing a persistent and costly challenge: escalating contractor estimates and the public disruption associated with interior remediation work for Port Hope’s Historic Waste Program. Traditional contractor-led methods often involved dozens of personnel, extensive visits, and drawn-out timelines, which proved disruptive to property owners and unsatisfactory to the program’s scheduling and cost needs. In response to this, he proposed an innovative self-performed interior remediation model. Leveraging his background as a licensed carpenter and his expertise as a seasoned project manager, he developed a framework that not only met CNL’s rigorous standards but also provided a cost-effective, right-sized approach to completing small-scale interior remediation projects. Dylan’s initiative has delivered measurable and substantial cost savings to the organization through the implementation of the Self-Performed Restoration Program.

10 November, 2025

Distinguished Merit Award: Identification Of Fundamental Flaws Regarding Alpha Particle Risk To Skin

Brianna Carr, Diane Aube, Dusty Raymond-Lavigne, James Harrington, Joe Lemieux, Katie Jamieson, Krista Mohns, Leah Pearson, Liubov Kamaeva, Mike Zinck, Serena Coulas, and Steve Bogensberger

For The Identification of A Fundamental Flaw In The Prevailing Assumptions Regarding Alpha Particle Risk To The Skin

During preparation for the work with high-energy alpha-emitting isotopes, the Radiation Protection (RP) team at CNL identified a fundamental flaw in the prevailing assumptions regarding the alpha particle risk to skin. This insight has profound implications for worker protection and regulatory compliance, and ultimately changed how high-energy alpha contamination risk is assessed and controlled at CNL and potentially it could change the standards for the international radiation protection community. Their efforts reflect the mindset of ownership over obligation, leadership over routine, and excellence over adequacy. Not to mention it is a clear example of their commitment to safety for their colleagues, as well as each other and our communities.

10 November, 2025

Distinguished Merit Award: Shielding of Building 204 Legacy Spent Fuel Bays

Awarded to Adam Lariviere, Brad Silverhorn, Chris Brown, Chris Bullock, Chris Corrigan, David Pivato, Jeff Vereyken, Nick Hoffman, Shawn Wagner, and Tyler Habraken

For The Shielding of Building 204 Legacy Spent Fuel Bays

Challenged with high levels of radiation from historical National Research eXperimental (NRX) rod bay operations in Building 204, the “Red” Project Team developed and implemented a novel and highly effective strategy to shield the four legacy spent fuel bays, advancing decommissioning in the surrounding area under significantly reduced radiation dose conditions. The approach, thoughtfully planned and trialed on a real-size mock-up at CNL, involved the application of a spray-on liner to each bay, followed by the placement of shielding material. The liner serves as a protective barrier, isolating the shielding material from the contaminated bay walls. The design enables the potential for future reuse of the shielding material and diverts the aggregate from a contaminated waste stream, aligning with waste minimization and sustainability objectives. The project has enabled safer access to high-dose areas, allowing critical work to proceed without delay. This directly improves the project schedule and enhances workforce efficiency by lowering radiation exposure and minimizing operational constraints. This work was innovative, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and a strong commitment to safety.

10 November, 2025

D.F. Torgerson Discovery Award: Perchlorate Remediation Strategy for Decommissioning in B250

Awarded to Ken Titterington, Khojasteh Dumasia, Murray Hyatt, and Scott Brown

For Developing a Percholorate Remediation Strategy For Decommissioning In Building 250

Historical operational use of perchloric acid in laboratory facilities across CNL has created contamination in areas perchloric acid was used, typically ventilation systems, creating a new complex challenge for decommissioning as these systems need to be remediated and removed. The Building 250 “Blue” Project Team first identified the presence of perchlorates in the ventilation system during characterization sampling in January 2022. At the time, there was no established CNL process for remediating legacy perchlorate systems. Additionally, it was identified that the lack of guidance on perchlorate remediation was not just a CNL gap but also a gap in Canadian standards. To overcome this challenge, the project team engaged with subject matter experts and industry experts for a number of months to develop a CNL Perchloric Acid Management Standard. The standard established clear guidance on sampling methods, action levels and remediation strategies as well as a process for maintenance of perchlorate contaminated systems currently in operation at CNL sites. The safe and timely execution of this first-of-kind work demonstrates that Facilities Decommissioning & Environmental Remediation at CNL can develop and deliver on complex remediation tasks. This work exemplifies the ability of our highly skilled and knowledgeable integrated project teams to develop and deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions.

10 November, 2025

D.F. Torgerson Discovery Award: Ac-225 Production Using Ra-226 Targets

Awarded to: Alex Burke, Alex Gonzalez, Alex Katsaras, Ashley Gale, Ashley Sparks, Ben Sanderson, Bethany Johnsen, Carrie Broome, Catherine Giu, Chris Odetola, Cody Charbonneau, Dale Mcpherson, Dave Poff, Denise Gendron, Derek Klentz, Diane Aube, Doug Lee, Eric Sansoucy, Evan Rand, Graham Kent, Harshil Naik, Jacqueline Parco, James Harrington, Joe Lemiuex, Kevin McCaugherty, Leah Pearson, Lyndsay Bradford, Mathew Stevenson, Matt Koens, Paul Joynes, Peter D’Amico, Precious Aneifiok Usoroh, Randy Perron, Steven Silke, and Tyler Miles

For The First Canadian Research & Development Team to Develop the Processes, Targets, Chemistry and Facilities to Produce Actinium 225 using Proprietary Developed Radium 226 Targets Using a Cyclotron

Using a Cyclotron the team developed and demonstrated the novel technologies and process to produce Actinium-225 from Radium-226 and also significantly scaled production output. The Actinium-225 production route from Radium-226 is attractive as it offers the opportunity to use less radium feedstock and does not require a highly specialized facility or the use of special nuclear materials. The achievements of this team help to ensure novel radiotherapeutics will make it to market and be available for Canadian companies and patients, while also taking a legacy unfunded liability and converting it to medicine for cancer treatment.

10 November, 2025

D.F. Torgerson Discovery Award: Development of the Darlington Split Die Tool

Awarded to: Alexander Burke, Andrew Kittmer, Eric Sansoucy, Graham Kent, Jayden Franks, Nicholas Simpson, and Terry Schaubel For The Development of the Darlington Split Die Tool

For The Development of the Darlington Split Die Tool

The team was contacted by a vendor to find a solution to the retube challenges that were occurring in one of the Darlington units. Retube was having issues with the removal of calandria tubes from the reactor core due to bulges that were present just inboard of the calandria tube sheet. These bulges would interfere with the tube sheet bore upon removal where interference was significant enough to prevent their removal from the core. The solution developed by the MED team demonstrated a high degree of innovation and creativity, as the tooling was significantly constrained by physical access to the problem site, high radiation, ensuring the reactor would remain capable of being refurbished, and the tight retube timeline. The vendor and the broader nuclear industry recognizes CNL’s role in developing the winning solution for Darlington’s unit. This project demonstrates a high degree of originality. The Split Die Tool did not exist in the suite of tooling that is used when a CANDU® reactor is refurbished. A previously unrealized failure mode required extensive original thinking to develop a successful solution for a demanding customer.

10 November, 2025

D.F. Torgerson Discovery Award: Experimental Data Analytic Techniques Detection

Awarded to Abhiram Venkatesh, David Dean, David Perez Laoureiro, Eli Simova, Helmut Fritzsche, Krassimir Stoev, Liqian Li, Mayra Martinez Gonzalez, Pablo Diaz Gomez Maqueo, Raymond Sammon, and Zahra Yamani

For The Development And Implementation Of Experimental And Data Analytic Techniques For Detection Of Opioids, Explosives And Other Illicit Substances For Effective Screening And Combating Crime

Among the threats to national security are narcotics such as fentanyl and its analogues, improvised explosive and incendiary devices and other non-nuclear illicit substances. The materials that make up the vast majority of these threats pass through Canadian borders at some point. The work of the nominees addressed the need for secure and efficient screening of cargo and travelers through borders, which is an important element of combatting crime and strengthening the safety and security of Canadians. While working on this project, the team of nominees developed and implemented a multi-pronged, approach to overcome the difficulties in detection of opioids and explosives in a variety of packages. They developed a prototype system for enhanced secondary, rapid non-destructive screening at borders, in mailrooms, and in similar facilities. Furthermore, the team created a library of compounds measured and analyzed during the project. There were several challenges encountered during the execution of this work but the nominees were able to successfully overcome these challenges, achieving outcomes of high scientific value and significant relevance to the stakeholders.

10 November, 2025

D.F. Torgerson Discovery Award: CNL’s Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Leads To GLP Full Recognition

Awarded to: Afshan Sahar, Ahmed Soliman, Amanda Adams, Amy Festarini, Ashok Jadhov, Bobbi-Lynn Connell, Christie Costello, Colleen Corris, Dennis Deng, Farihah Gulam, Gail Gayda, Geetika Sharma, George Baidoo, Isabelle Gosselin, Jais Kavumkal, Jen Sparling, Jocelyn Virgin, John Tracey, Lindsey Bertrand, Lisa Carty, Mandy Serran, Marilyne Stuart, Marlene Kontcho, Matt Flegal, Phillip Shreeves, Sarah Arsenault, Sarah Wentzell, Sridhar Devalla, and Viviane Radford

For Outstanding Dedication To The Completion Of CNL's First Two Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Studies Leading To GLP Full Recognition

CNL has been working towards full GLP accreditation for several years. The GLP standards have strict rules regarding procedures, equipment, environmental parameters, and product tracing within any GLP facility; all of which require accompanying documentation. Work done following GLP at a GLP-accredited facility allows safety testing of medications for submission and review by regulatory agencies (like the Food and Drug Administration - FDA). A GLP regulatory study is a critical step required to allow a novel drug to progress to human clinical trials. Pre-clinical regulatory studies are vital to advancement of human health, and the health of Canadians. After an intense effort, the team first brought the Biological Research Facility (BRF) quality standards up to ISO 9001, then to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) GLP standards. By 2021, the GLP program was fully implemented. The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) conducted a formal inspection to assess the facility’s compliance with GLP regulations and CNL received facility accreditation. The final step to becoming fully recognized and accredited for GLP work, was the completion of two commercially-funded GLP animal research studies.