Manager, Nuclear Industry Programs; Group Leader, Reactor Materials
Manager, Nuclear Industry Programs; Group Leader, Reactor Materials

Biography

Ali Zbib joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in 2018 as the Nuclear Industry Program Manager to formulate and lead PNNL’s nuclear energy industry engagement strategy. In his role, Mr. Zbib works with industry partners and PNNL experts to identify capabilities and develop innovative solutions that address challenges in the areas of advanced reactors and advanced fuels. He focuses on building strategic partnerships that support reactor and fuel developers with their technology deployment efforts. In addition, Mr. Zbib manages the Reactor Materials group of about 50 experienced staff who advance fundamental materials science and development of materials for fission and fusion reactors. He also leads a team of experts specializing in techno-economic assessments in the areas of clean energy systems integration and deployment.

Prior to joining PNNL, Mr. Zbib held several leadership positions in the nuclear industry, including Framatome and Energy Northwest. He led cross-functional teams in the U.S. and Europe that developed next-generation nuclear fuel designs, formulated strategies to address fuel performance challenges in boiling water reactors, managed a product development test facility, built high performing teams and strategic partnerships, and led the mechanical design group in charge of capital projects at Columbia Generating Station. Mr. Zbib was a member of Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) sponsored industry committees that addressed challenges with nuclear fuel performance and developed accident tolerant fuel.

Mr. Zbib holds an MBA, an MS, and a BS in mechanical engineering from Washington State University (WSU); is a professional engineer (PE) in the state of Washington; and has completed advanced certifications in technology management, nuclear systems design, as well as advanced leadership programs.

Publications

2024

  • Tarufelli B.L., K.M. Harris, S.S. Acharya, K. Mahapatra, B. Vyakaranam, A.M. Campbell, and P.R. Maloney, et al. 2024. "EverGREEN 2045: An Energy mix to Decarbonize Washington State." In IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM 2024), July 21-25, 2024, Seattle, WA, 1-5. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-192248. doi:10.1109/PESGM51994.2024.10688529

2022