FIU and Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Sign MOU to Strengthen Workforce Development and Advance DOE Missions

Miami, FL (July 25, 2025) – Florida International University (FIU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) to expand opportunities for students and support critical missions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The partnership, formalized during a recent visit by FIU Applied Research Center (ARC) representatives to the Savannah River Site (SRS), aims to create a strong talent pipeline by increasing internships, transitioning students into full-time positions, and advancing collaborative research in environmental remediation and nuclear operations.

“We want to create a clear pipeline for FIU to join SRNS—not just in engineering, but in multiple disciplines,” said Dr. Leonel Lagos, Associate Professor and Director of Research at FIU ARC.

Ceremonial Memorandum of understanding signing with Rich Zaharek, SRNS Senior Vice President Chief Engineer and Nuclear Safety Officer; Leonel Lagos, FIU Associate Professor and Director of Research; Sean Alford, SRNS Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.

As part of the visit, FIU staff toured key SRS facilities, including H Canyon and the SRPPF High-Fidelity Training and Operations Center, where cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality are being used to enhance workforce training.

Funded under the DOE-FIU Cooperative Agreement, this collaboration builds on the long-standing Science & Technology Workforce Development Initiative, helping develop future scientists and engineers while supporting DOE’s environmental cleanup efforts.

Together, FIU and SRNS are committed to advancing applied research, technology innovation, and workforce readiness to address some of the nation’s most pressing environmental and energy challenges.

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James Therrell, SRNS Mission Planning Manager for Environmental Management Operations, educating FIU representatives on the H-Canyon process

 

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