An ISU professor is serving on the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, which oversees the technical efforts of the U.S. Department of Energy on the safe shipment, storage and disposal of high-level radioactive wastes.

Daniel Bullen, associate professor of mechanical engineering, has served on the 11-member board since 1997.

Bullen, who teaches a class in radioactive waste management, said he has acted as a consultant to the board since 1995. In 1997, the National Academy of Sciences asked for him to be recommended for the board. President Bill Clinton approved Bullen’s recommendation and appointed him to the board.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be appointed,” Bullen said. “It’s one of my areas of expertise, and I do it as community service.”

He was reappointed in 2000 and meets with the other board members three or four times a year in Nevada to review waste-disposal issues. One of the board’s biggest projects is working with the government for a site recommendation on Yucca Mountain. This decision could come fairly soon after 15 years of work, Bullen said.

“It’s a very exciting time for the board,” he said.

Bullen has been a professor at Iowa State for nine years. He teaches Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design, Legal and Environmental Considerations in Design and Radioactive Waste Management.

Warren DeVries, professor and chairman of mechanical engineering, said Bullen is one of his highest-rated professors.

“As an instructor, he’s probably one of the most dynamic in the department,” he said.

DeVries said high-stature national leaders are important to the department and he looks for such honors in all faculty.

“We’re pleased that [Bullen is] a member of the faculty,” DeVries said.

“He is a highly qualified person that can help the government make decisions that affect all of us.”