Bio
Corey P. Manis completed 2 1/2 years of course work towards a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee attending from 2018 until 2021. He joined the staff in July 2021 as an Assistant Technician in Nuclear Operations at the Transuranium Analytical Laboratory (TAL) of the Chemical Sciences Division (CSD). Prior to joining ORNL, he served three years in the United States Army and spent two years working for the National Park Service.
Over the past almost two years, he's steadily increased roles and responsibilities within the TAL while supporting nuclear isotope production at the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC). He has been a primary participant in the TAL’s support of REDC’s R&D and production projects including Pu-238 Production Project (and Np-237 Reprocessing), Cf-252/Bk-249 Campaigns (and Cm-244 reprocessing), Pm-147 purification, Ni-63 purification, U-233 Rescue Program, and many smaller isotope purifications runs.
Corey has proven himself to be a hard worker with strong initiative. He's eagerly taken on the training program at the Transuranium Analytical Laboratory (TAL), and efficiently completed his qualification requirements. Corey functions independently, troubleshooting problems as they arise, and competently completing analyses on high level radioactive materials in challenging matrixes. Corey's called upon to assist in the development of new procedures and work aids within the laboratory and hot cell. He thrives in the high-pressure high-activity environment that ORNL’s isotope production at REDC provides to our laboratory. Corey is a quick learner capable of picking up new tasks/procedures fluidly and has stepped up production prep during our busiest times. He's off to a great start and has a bright future at the TAL.
Corey was recently awarded the Department of Energy Secretary's Honor Award for service and contribution to the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Radioisotope Power Systems Team.
Technical Excellence/Productivity
- Corey has assumed a shift technician position therefore he has been a primary technician responsible for prepping, counting, and reporting the bulk of isotope production campaign samples.
- Fully qualified to perform the TAL’s entire portfolio of analytical methods and work aids.
- Assisted in the successful completion of the latest spent nuclear fuel dissolutions and subsequent sample analysis (Sister Rod Project).
- Demonstrated excellence in laboratory standards for ESH&Q, high level nuclear operations protocols, and ALARA principles.
- Corey has displayed a great grasp of the safety concerns, chemistry methodology, and nuclear operations protocols at the TAL.