114: Engineering Nuclear Safety: Risk, Reliability, and the Role of PRA

What does it take to build trust in nuclear energy? Behind every advanced reactor design, every regulatory approval, and every safety system lies a complex web of risk analysis — and that’s where Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) comes in.

In this episode, we sit down with Jenifer Avellaneda Díaz, a PRA & Risk Analysis Engineer, to explore the foundational role PRA plays in the nuclear sector. From its evolution post-nuclear disasters to how it is applied in the emerging world of SMRs, we unpack the frameworks that underpin modern nuclear safety and reliability.

We also discuss how artificial intelligence and digital innovation could reshape the future of PRA, and what it means for nuclear’s long-term role in a decarbonized energy system.

Whether you're a nuclear engineer, a policymaker, or someone curious about the risk dynamics of complex energy systems — this episode offers a clear-eyed, expert perspective on one of the most crucial (and often invisible) aspects of nuclear energy.

🔗 Connect with Jenifer https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenifer-avellaneda/
🎙 Hosted by Girish Shivakumar
📍 Part of the Mission Shunya nuclear energy series — conversations towards the global zero carbon transition