•Scientist of the Year•

Education:
-Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering – University of California, Berkeley
-M.S. in Mechanical Engineering – University of California, Berkeley
-B.S. in Mechanical Engineering – University of Texas at San Antonio

Dr. Hector Mendoza stands at the forefront of nuclear energy innovation and safety and embodies the excellence, resilience, and service that define the nation’s most distinguished technical minds. A senior research and development scientist at Sandia National Laboratories and a recognized leader for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Dr. Mendoza has made groundbreaking contributions that have strengthened national security, advanced sustainable energy, and inspired the next generation of scientists and engineers. His career is a testament not only to technical mastery but also to the transformative power of perseverance and mentorship.

Dr. Mendoza’s technical excellence is marked by visionary work at the nexus of national security, reactor safety, and high-performance computing. Through an Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignment, he has served as the NRC’s technical lead on regulatory research advancing Digital Twins, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and probabilistic fracture mechanics frameworks. His pioneering integration of chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC) models into NRC’s fracture mechanics platform has significantly strengthened the agency’s ability to risk-inform aging management strategies for dry cask storage systems, safeguarding the nation’s long-term nuclear waste infrastructure.

Equally impactful are his experimental testing campaigns evaluating nuclear material containers under accident conditions. As principal investigator, Dr. Mendoza directed large-scale thermal and structural test series whose results led to amendments of DOE safety standards—improving safety and enabling cost savings estimated in the millions across the DOE complex. His contributions to NASA’s Mars 2020 modeling radiological risk scenarios that supported the safe launch of the Perseverance rover further highlight the breadth of his expertise. 

In addition to his world-class contributions to nuclear science and energy, Dr. Mendoza also advances renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. At Sandia, he spearheaded multiphysics modeling efforts to improve concentrating solar power systems, mentored graduate and undergraduate students who are now contributing to the national research enterprise, and developed machine learning tools that dramatically enhanced energy forecasting capabilities.  His leadership in immersion cooling research for high-performance computing facilities demonstrated how next-generation data centers can achieve up to 90% heat recovery while reducing grid strain. This is a transformative finding set to have a massive impact on the energy-intensive digital infrastructure as the AI revolution kicks into high gear.

Through more than forty peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and conference presentations, Dr. Mendoza has established himself as a thought leader in nuclear safety, predictive modeling, and advanced energy systems. His research has set new standards for rigor, transparency, and innovation, earning him recognition through multiple Sandia awards and the Secretary of Energy’s Achievement Award.

Behind these technical milestones lies an inspiring personal journey. Born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, Dr. Mendoza immigrated to Del Rio, Texas at age four. Each year until high school graduation, his family traveled to Minnesota as migrant farmworkers, enduring harsh conditions that included contaminated water and pesticide exposure. Despite missing months of school, he excelled academically, encouraged by teachers who recognized his potential and placed him in advanced classes.

As the first in his family to pursue higher education, Dr. Mendoza earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio, followed by an M.S. and Ph.D. at UC Berkeley. Initially driven by a desire for financial security, he found his true calling in research with meaningful societal impact, which include developing sensors, improving combustion efficiency, and developing statistical models for solar desalination. His postdoctoral work at Sandia on lithium-ion batteries and carbon sequestration solidified his trajectory as a scientist committed to advancing sustainable and secure energy futures.

Dr. Mendoza has never forgotten the absence of role models in his own youth. He devotes significant time to mentoring and outreach, guiding interns, graduate students, and early-career researchers into successful STEM careers. Through Sandia’s “MANOS” program, he and his colleagues engage thousands of students and their families in bilingual STEM events, and his volunteer work with organizations like Lutheran Family Services connects refugees and immigrants with opportunities to thrive.

Dr. Hector Mendoza’s research has redefined regulatory practices for nuclear safety, advanced renewable energy and computing technologies, and ensured the safe use of nuclear systems in space exploration. At the same time, his journey from the fields of Minnesota to the fabled halls of Sandia National Laboratories serves as a model of resilience and inspiration.

Through groundbreaking science, steadfast leadership, and a deep commitment to service, Dr. Mendoza continues to shape a safer, more sustainable future. He is not only an outstanding scientist but also a mentor, advocate, and role model whose impact will resonate for generations.