Guests:
Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar
Dr. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar is the associate dean of the Idaho State University (ISU) College of Science and Engineering, a professor of nuclear engineering, and a senior reactor operator at ISU’s AGN-201 nuclear reactor. She coordinates ISU's nuclear engineering curriculum, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, conducts nuclear materials research, and is involved in accreditations, international program development, and reactor administration. Her research projects focus on nuclear material irradiation and characterization, and radioactive material management, leading to international publications.
Dunzik-Gougar has collaborated on projects at universities, national laboratories (Idaho National Laboratory, Argonne National Lab), and international research environments. She was also a high school science and math teacher.
She holds a BS in chemistry from Cedar Crest College, an MS in environmental engineering, and a PhD in nuclear engineering from Pennsylvania State University. Her research interests include the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear fuels and materials development, spent fuel processing, and waste form development.
An active ANS member since 1992, Dunzik-Gougar served on the Board of Directors and is involved in numerous committees and as faculty advisor for the ANS Idaho State University Student Section. She served as the American Nuclear Society President from 2020-2021.
Angela Trejo
Ms. Angela Trejo is a third-year Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering student at Idaho State University. Her journey in engineering has been shaped by a love for hands-on learning and curiosity about how things work on both the atomic and mechanical levels. Trejo previously served as a teaching assistant for ISU’s AGN-201M research reactor, where she trained students in reactor operations and safety. Currently, she works closely with the reactor supervisor to help organize and update documentation that keeps the ISU reactor facility running smoothly and safely.
In addition to my work at the reactor, she’s been involved in research focused on creating a Digital SAR for a GA-HTGR reactor with INL—studying graphite materials, instrumentation, and system design to support next-generation reactor development. Trejo serves as Vice President of ISU’s American Nuclear Society student chapter and coach color guard at Pocatello High School, two roles that have helped her grow as a leader and mentor.
Ultimately, Angela Trejo hopes to pursue a career in advancing commercial reactors and hopes to continue contributing to the advancement of clean and sustainable nuclear energy.
