ORAU

🎁The holiday season is officially underway. What's on your agenda for Black Friday?

🦃 🥧 What are you grateful for this year? Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at ORAU. #FurtherTogether

🚨NEW ON OUR POD Molly Menzel, Ph.D., is an atmosphere scientist in the NASA Postdoctoral Program who conducts her research at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, a smaller office under the umbrella of the Goddard Space Flight Center. On the latest episode of Further Together, The ORAU Podcast, Menzel shares how she found the path that led to NASA. Listen: https://bit.ly/3Xie0bu #FurtherTogether

📰 NEW ON OUR BLOG “Recruiting is a personal business, and it requires a human touch if done correctly and always will,” says Chelsea Hill, manager of ORAU Workforce Solutions, which specializes in scientific and technical staffing support. Hill says AI can help recruiters write intriguing job descriptions and messages to candidates, but AI cannot replace the human decision-making. Learn more about Hill and how Workforce Solutions can bring highly qualified professionals to fulfill mission critical project and business requirements for our government clients: https://bit.ly/4p0vupa #FurtherTogether

🛑 Inside the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap The U.S. nuclear energy sector is at a crucial juncture, presenting exciting opportunities to grow and strengthen its workforce. The U.S. Department of Energy projects the energy sector will require over 375,000 skilled workers by 2050 to sustain ongoing nuclear power operations and continue next-generation reactor deployment. The ORAU-led Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap aims to strengthen pathways to nuclear energy careers. Check it out! https://bit.ly/4npK3B9 #FurtherTogether (Graphic Credit: Lyn Potter and Nuclear News)

🚨 ATTENTION ALABAMA WELDING TEACHERS 🚨 You’ve got a about two-and-a-half months to enter the Extreme Trades Makeover: Future Welders competition for a chance to be one of three winners of $30,000 in welding equipment or other upgrades for your classrooms! To apply, just submit a 3-4 minute video creatively illustrating the need and possible uses of welding equipment in your school. Submit your application here: https://bit.ly/49BhzRn Deadline to apply is Jan. 30, 2026. Looking for additional education resources? Check out https://bit.ly/47nD6LZ

🚨 NEW PODCAST! Behavioral health during cancer care is a critical issue. Anyone faced with a cancer diagnosis is faced with emotional, social, spiritual, familial and other issues. On top of that, for men in our society there is an expectation that vulnerability and asking for help is weakness. The non-profit organization Man Up to Cancer has successfully upended that expectation by helping men find social and emotional support from other men during their cancer journeys, but no data exists to prove that peer-to-peer support for men facing cancer works. That’s where a 2025 ORAU-Directed Research and Development Grant comes in. Primary Investigator Katherine Chyka, ORAU health education specialist, and Teresa Hagan Thomas, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor in the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, launched a pilot study to measure the acceptability and feasibility of peer-to-per support for men facing cancer. In this episode of Further Together, hosts Michael Holtz and Amber Davis talk to Chyka and Thomas for an early look at their research. Data analysis is still underway, but the team has already gained valuable insights. Hear the episode: https://bit.ly/4rccvJD #FurtherTogether

📅 You’re invited to the CFDE Training Center Omics Open House! The CFDE Training Center is excited to offer researchers a unique opportunity to receive real-time support on the topic of RNA and the Common Fund Data Ecosystem (CFDE). This is your chance to connect, learn, and gain valuable insights that can elevate your research. Don't miss out on this interactive session designed to empower your work. Reserve your spot today: https://bit.ly/48o7iqI Let’s unlock new research possibilities together! #FurtherTogether

📰 NEW BLOG! It’s time! ⏰ Applications for ORAU’s 2026 Extreme Classroom Makeover are now open, and a $25,000 grand prize is up for grabs. 💰 We’re offering some tips on our blog to maximize the chance to win. Tip #1: Apply! Seriously. You can’t win it if you’re not in it! Share our tips with your teacher friends! https://bit.ly/3JCMCSw #FurtherTogether

🛑 Inside the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap ORAU and the authors of the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap gathered input from experts across the country. A total of 144 academic institutions participated, including 17 K-12 schools, 63 technical and community colleges, and 64 four-year institutions. Contributors were invited to participate based on their knowledge and interest in nuclear educational programs. They joined virtual sessions and used an online tool to provide feedback. Over 800 comments were collected and summarized by the ORAU Assessment and Evaluation team. Responses were categorized, themes identified, and subthemes elaborated through summaries, new ideas, and quotes from respondents. This information was documented in a qualitative analysis. Read the NEAR here: https://bit.ly/4npK3B9 #FurtherTogether