Karen Hogue
About Karen Hogue
Karen Hogue is an R&D Staff Engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, specializing in advanced nuclear fuel cycle facility safeguards. She has a diverse background in nuclear engineering, having worked in various roles including program management and technical staff at Y-12 National Security Complex and as a lieutenant in the United States Navy.
Current Role at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Karen Hogue serves as an R&D Staff Engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she engages in research related to advanced nuclear fuel cycle facility safeguards. Her work focuses on leveraging commonalities between international and domestic safeguards, contributing to the development of verification technologies in the nuclear energy sector.
Previous Experience at Y-12 National Security Complex
Prior to her current role, Hogue worked at the Y-12 National Security Complex from 2017 to 2020. As a Program Manager and Senior Technical Staff Member, she was involved in various projects related to nuclear security and safeguards in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Her experience in this position contributed to her expertise in the field.
Educational Background in Nuclear Engineering
Hogue is a PhD candidate in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she has been studying since 2020. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering with a Minor in Mathematics from Texas A&M University from 2003 to 2007. Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, completed between 2011 and 2013.
Military Service in the United States Navy
From 2007 to 2011, Hogue served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. Her military experience provided her with a foundation in leadership and technical skills, which she has applied throughout her career in nuclear engineering and safeguards.
Internship Experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
In 2012, Hogue completed a two-month internship as a Next Generation Safeguards Initiative Graduate Intern at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This experience allowed her to gain insights into advanced safeguards technologies and further her understanding of nuclear nonproliferation.