Sustainable Energy Technologies and Systems

Michael W. Golay is a distinguished professor of nuclear science and engineering at MIT, where he has dedicated over five decades of service since 1971. After earning his PhD in nuclear engineering from Cornell University in 1969 and completing postdoctoral research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he has established himself as a leading figure in nuclear power education and safety analysis. As director of both the Reactor Technology Course for Utility Executives and the Nuclear Operational Risk Management Course at MIT, he has shaped the education of countless nuclear industry leaders. His research focuses on improving nuclear power performance through probabilistic and dynamic analysis methods, while also serving as an advisor on risk-informed regulation and nuclear performance improvement. Throughout his career, Golay has held visiting positions at prestigious institutions including Électricité de France and Tokyo Institute of Technology, and served on numerous influential committees including the National Academy of Sciences Study Committee on Lessons from the Fukushima Accident, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations Advisory Council, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Research Review Committee. His expertise spans nuclear plant safety, risk management, and operational decision-making, earning him fellowships in both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Nuclear Society. Beyond his academic work, he has been instrumental in developing innovative approaches to nuclear power plant design, including contributions to floating nuclear power concepts and advanced reactor safety systems.