The American Nuclear Society (ANS) has selected UF alumnus Matthew Marzano, M.S. ‘11, nuclear engineering, to serve as the 2022 Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow. Marzano is a senior reactor operator at Exelon Generation’s Braidwood nuclear power plant in Braidwood, Ill. 

Established in 2000, the Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship, also known as the ANS Congressional Fellowship, allows nuclear professionals to learn how legislative policymaking affects nuclear science, energy and technology. The unique, yearlong fellowship allows those professionals to work directly for members of Congress or congressional committees and their staff on critical nuclear policy decisions. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to be selected for this prestigious fellowship, and I am humbled to join the company of many successful past fellows,” Marzano said. “Nuclear energy will be crucial to decarbonizing the electric, transportation, and industrial sectors as Congress takes concrete steps toward reshaping the nation’s infrastructure. With nearly a decade of experience in operating nuclear power plants, I hope to provide key insights to my Capitol Hill colleagues while also learning the art of policymaking.” 

Marzano began his career at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in 2012, supporting the U.S. Navy training mission as a reactor operations instructor and nuclear plant engineer. In 2015, he moved to South Carolina Electric & Gas, where he spent two years supporting construction activities and qualifying as a senior reactor operator for the twin AP1000 reactor expansion project at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Power Station. Since 2018, Marzano has worked for Exelon Generation, supporting digital plant upgrades while obtaining a senior reactor operator license. Marzano holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nuclear engineering from UF. 

“Matt’s experience in reactor operations, particularly in Illinois where the state legislature has actively worked on crediting nuclear power plants for their carbon-free attributes, will prove crucial as policymakers in Washington, D.C. continue to debate nuclear energy’s role in future energy policies,” said John Starkey, ANS director of public policy. “The ANS Congressional Fellowship program has a rich history of fellows assisting lawmakers in Washington, and I’m excited to see Matt walking the hallways of Capitol Hill in 2022.” 

Marzano will participate in the fellowship orientation program sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in September and will begin his fellowship term on January 2, 2022.