Ing. Stanislav Pecko, PhD.

Shortly after finishing high school, nuclear energy seemed to me a very interesting, prestigious, and at the same time highly complex field, and with almost childlike curiosity I wanted to learn as much as possible about how nuclear power plants operate. For this reason, after the general first year at FEI STU, I chose the bachelor’s programme in Nuclear Energy at the Institute of Nuclear and Physical Engineering.

During my bachelor’s and master’s studies at INPE, I focused on radiation damage to nuclear reactor materials. This was a typical interdisciplinary topic that required a solid mastery of nuclear physics, materials technology, and nuclear reactor operation. A comprehensive understanding of the embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel materials fascinated me so much that after completing my master’s degree, I decided to continue working on this topic and further develop my knowledge and skills at the PhD level.

During my PhD studies, I participated in several prestigious international conferences, published a number of impact-factor papers in international peer-reviewed journals, contributed to several research projects, and completed a scientific internship at a top-tier research institution—the Helmholtz Center in Rossendorf near Dresden. I was also part of the Scientific and Technical Team of the Year 2014, which received the Award for Science and Technology from the Ministry of Education.

After completing my doctoral studies, I took a position as a project manager at the international company Amec Foster Wheeler. Its Slovak nuclear division in Trnava focuses on the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, various decontamination activities, and the processing of radioactive waste. In my daily work, I continuously apply the knowledge and skills I acquired throughout all levels of my nuclear energy studies at INPE.

At present, I am most actively involved in projects related to the decommissioning of the V1 Nuclear Power Plant in Jaslovské Bohunice, where the second phase of decommissioning is currently underway, involving the decontamination and dismantling of primary (highly radioactive) nuclear power plant equipment. Finally, I would like to add that, in addition to myself, a significant portion of the middle—and even senior—management at Amec Foster Wheeler consists of former INPE graduates from various generations.