Waterford 3 celebrates 40 years: Alyxandria Wszolek on powering the future of Waterford 3

As Waterford 3 looks to the future, a new wave of nuclear professionals is stepping up to carry on the plant's proud legacy. Alyxandria Wszolek is one such individual, bringing her expertise and unwavering commitment to the role of reactor engineering supervisor.

Alyxandria has held this position for the past three years, after joining the Waterford 3 team in the fall of 2022. Prior to this, she gained valuable experience as a reactor engineer and senior reactor operator at another nuclear facility. "When researching the different kinds of engineering, I learned about fission, fusion and reactor systems. Choosing nuclear engineering became an easy choice," she explains. "Learning more about the technology and the positive impact it can have for communities around the world and environment only solidified my desire to work in nuclear energy more."

Alyxandria shared that her interest in the nuclear industry was sparked at a young age, thanks in part to her father's own career path in the Navy on nuclear submarines, then in commercial nuclear operations. One of her earliest memories was "going to visit the nuclear plant he worked for during an annual family day. I got to watch my dad run a scenario with an operations crew in the control room simulator behind a one-way mirror." Alyxandria vividly recalled "the lights, how serious everyone was, and how important it all seemed." She expressed that she "continue[s] to feel that awe and admiration for this industry to this day and I'm grateful to have a part in it."

As the reactor engineering supervisor, Alyxandria explained that she leads a team of four engineers. "Together we provide the technical site leadership for reactor core performance and own the site special nuclear material management accountability and configuration," she stated. Alyxandria also noted that her team "provides technical assistance to operations that establish effective reactivity management and conservative decision making." This includes "daily monitoring and monthly surveillances that compare our current reactor core distribution and reactivity to our cycle predictions, planning how we move nuclear fuel during refueling outages, inspecting new nuclear fuel when it arrives to the site, and creating the plans that operations utilize to come down or up in power." Alyxandria expressed that she loves this role, as "we have a good mix of both field and office work." She added, "I am always learning because this job looks different every day, and we are always looking at how to make it better."

Now, as Waterford 3 looks to the future, Alyxandria and her colleagues are poised to build upon the plant's storied legacy. With their technical expertise, collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence, they are ensuring Waterford 3 continues powering the community for generations to come.

"There is much to look forward to as we look at the projects we have and the team we have here to accomplish it!" Alyxandria says. "I am so encouraged and motivated by the passionate nuclear professionals I work with and the strong legacy of this plant. We are all united in the common goal to produce safe and reliable energy for our community."

Alyxandria's commitment to the nuclear field extends beyond her role at Waterford 3. She also serves as a leader in the Louisiana Nuclear Society, the state chapter of the American Nuclear Society. "Leading the Louisiana Nuclear Society has helped connect me to different people and projects going on in the industry," she explains. "I'm really looking forward to the momentum we have in nuclear energy right now and the next generation here at Waterford 3."

Through her involvement with the Louisiana Nuclear Society, Alyxandria collaborates with a diverse array of nuclear professionals. "They bring a fresh perspective to the way we do business and have a passionate commitment to innovation," she notes. This cross-pollination of ideas and experiences has been invaluable, both for Alyxandria's own growth and for the broader nuclear industry.