Icons of Change International Awards 2025

Dr. Robert Bruce Hayes
Associate Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering – North Carolina State University
Associate Editor, Radiation Physics and Chemistry (Elsevier)
Joint Faculty, Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, GA
Member, National Nuclear Security Administration’s Advisory Council for Nuclear Security
Licensed Professional Engineer (NM, NV) Certified Health Physicist

Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
Changemaker for Nuclear Innovation and Energy Resilience (United States)

Few scientists exemplify the integration of academic rigor, technological innovation, and national service as profoundly as Dr. Robert Bruce Hayes. A nuclear engineer, physicist, educator, and policy advisor, Dr. Hayes has built a distinguished career advancing the peaceful and sustainable use of nuclear energy — transforming complex scientific principles into practical applications that contribute to global energy security, radiation safety, and sustainable development. His leadership aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, fostering innovations that make nuclear technology safer, cleaner, and more accessible for future generations.

Currently serving as Associate Professor at North Carolina State University’s Department of Nuclear Engineering, Dr. Hayes brings a multifaceted perspective shaped by over two decades of research, field operations, and national security advisory work. His teaching and mentorship have guided the next generation of nuclear scientists in balancing energy innovation with public safety and environmental stewardship. Through his role as Associate Editor for Radiation Physics and Chemistry and as a Joint Faculty appointee at the Savannah River National Laboratory, he bridges the gap between research, industry, and applied science—ensuring that academic insights translate into measurable societal benefits.

Dr. Hayes’ earlier tenure at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, and National Security Technologies LLC solidified his expertise in radiological engineering, nuclear safety, and environmental protection. His fieldwork has addressed critical global challenges, including nuclear waste management, radiation detection, and emergency response—key issues underpinning both clean energy deployment and environmental sustainability. As a Certified Health Physicist and Licensed Professional Engineer in two U.S. states, his technical credentials are matched by a commitment to rigorous ethical standards in nuclear practice.

Beyond his institutional roles, Dr. Hayes’ leadership extends to national policy and standards development. As a member of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Advisory Council for Nuclear Security, he provides strategic guidance on nuclear resilience, safety frameworks, and non-proliferation—helping shape the secure advancement of nuclear energy within the global clean energy transition. He has also served on the Professional Engineering Exam Writing Group for NCEES, ensuring that nuclear engineers entering the profession meet the highest levels of technical competency and integrity.

A prolific author and contributor to nuclear science literature, Dr. Hayes has published extensively on topics ranging from radiation shielding and nuclear safety analyses to spacecraft radiation protection and environmental dosimetry. His recent patent—“Metal Oxide Impregnated Conformal Coatings for Ionizing Radiation Shielding” (U.S. Patent #11,887,743 B2, 2024)—demonstrates his focus on practical innovation, developing materials that enhance both terrestrial and space-based radiation safety while optimizing cost and efficiency. His scholarly works, including contributions to Progress in Nuclear Energy, Health Physics, and the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, have advanced the frontiers of nuclear resilience, radiation protection, and energy systems design.

Dr. Hayes’ impact also extends to science communication and education. His accessible writings—such as Nuclear Science and Technology Made So Simple, It Belongs in Your Newspaper—reflect a rare ability to make nuclear concepts understandable and relevant to the general public. This outreach reinforces trust, transparency, and public literacy in nuclear science—an essential step toward sustainable acceptance of nuclear power as a clean energy source.

Recognized as a Fellow of both the American Physical Society and the Health Physics Society, Dr. Hayes has earned multiple distinctions for his leadership and innovation, including the Hoover-Newton Award (2010), National Service Recognition Award (2012) from the American Nuclear Society, and the Health Physics Society Fellowship (2023). Each accolade represents a milestone in his enduring mission to harmonize technological progress with societal responsibility.

Through his cross-sector collaborations, policy influence, and groundbreaking research, Dr. Robert Bruce Hayes exemplifies how nuclear energy—once viewed solely through the lens of complexity—can become a catalyst for sustainable progress. His work addresses not only the technical challenges of energy generation but also the ethical, educational, and environmental dimensions that define the future of clean energy systems.

In recognizing Dr. Robert Bruce Hayes with the Icons of Change International Award 2025 for SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, we honor a visionary whose contributions are shaping the global dialogue on safe, sustainable nuclear power. His commitment to innovation, education, and integrity continues to illuminate pathways toward a cleaner, more resilient, and energy-secure world.

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