New Co-Director for Dalton Nuclear Institute

07 May 2013

The University of Manchester has appointed Professor Melissa Denecke as Co-Director of the world-leading Dalton Nuclear Institute.

Professor Melissa Denecke joins the Dalton Nuclear Institute in July.

Professor Denecke will work alongside Dalton Nuclear Institute’s Director, Professor Andrew Sherry, to enhance the role of the Institute as it plays a key part in providing internationally recognised research, higher learning and advisory services to help deliver the UK’s new nuclear R&D strategy and skills development programmes.

With nearly two decades of experience in nuclear fuel cycle research, Professor Denecke is an international expert in the field of actinide speciation on a molecular scale. Her background is most notably in R&D for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste and assessment of contamination legacies. She is a world leader in application of synchrotron-based X-ray techniques to actinide speciation investigations, having over 20 years experience in X-ray spectroscopy.

Her work at the Institute will involve playing a leading role in strengthening its strategic industry partnerships through research, engaging with the expanding research facilities and initiating new nuclear fuel cycle research that will link through into NNL Central Laboratory.

Professor Denecke, who will be based in the School of Chemistry, said: “I am extremely excited and honoured to come to Manchester and become active at Dalton Nuclear Institute. Dalton has already a proven track record in promoting cooperation between academia and industry in nuclear energy research, in public outreach to effectively communicate nuclear-related issues and in educating the work force for tomorrow.”

Professor Andrew Sherry, Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, said: “I am delighted that Professor Denecke has agreed to take up the role of Co-Director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute. With her wealth of experience and international recognition Professor Denecke will be a great asset and I look forward to working with her as our involvement with and support of international nuclear R&D continues to grow”.

Professor Denecke will take up her new role in Manchester on 1 July.