An Overview of Some Research Activities Related to PRA Tools and Risk-Informed Decision-Making Frameworks

Seminar Speaker: Matthew Humberstone, Senior Reliability and Risk Analyst, Division of Risk Analysis, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Abstract: The NRC is on a journey to become a more modern, risk-informed regulator. Numerous significant initiatives in recent decades helped establish necessary tools and frameworks to use risk and probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs) in regulatory activities. Nonetheless, the increased adoption of more complex risk-informed applications and new technologies warrant maintaining a robust regulatory research program that supports enhanced use of risk. Using risk frameworks to support licensing of advanced reactors, risk-informing materials assessment, improving the realism of various elements of PRAs, using advanced computational tools to analyze operational experience to gain risk insights, studying frameworks such as the licensing modernization project (LMP), and developing coherent, reliable, and technology-inclusive risk-informed decision-making guidance are some examples of current activities at the NRC. This presentation provides an overview of some ongoing research activities to familiarize the audience with the breadth, depth, and value of risk analysis research from the regulatory perspective.

Bio: Dr. Matthew Humberstone is a Senior Reliability and Risk Analyst in the Division of Risk Analysis at the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC). Dr. Humberstone works in the Performance and Reliability Branch in the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) which uses risk assessments and insights to support a broad range of regulatory applications.  Dr. Humberstone joined the USNRC’s Nuclear Safety Professional Development program in 2010 as a project manager in the advanced reactor projects division and has since held several different positions including reactor analyst, reliability and risk analyst.

Before joining the NRC, Dr. Humberstone worked on advanced monitoring, diagnostics, and prognostics for advanced reactor designs. He also worked at Sandia National Laboratories in their advanced reactor concepts division while in school. Dr. Humberstone received his bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from New Mexico State University, a master's degree in statistics from the University of Tennessee, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee.