Mike Farrar
About Mike Farrar
Mike Farrar is a Nuclear Infrastructure Program Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked in various roles since 1984. He has extensive experience in nuclear operations and engineering, having managed significant projects and improvements in reactor safety and maintenance.
Current Role at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Mike Farrar serves as the Nuclear Infrastructure Program Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He has held this position since 2020. In this role, he facilitates specific nuclear research and development facility improvements as part of the Isotope Science & Engineering Directorate.
Previous Experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Farrar has extensive experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, having worked in various capacities since 1984. His previous roles include Operations Manager for the High Flux Isotope Reactor, Research Reactors Division Operations Analysis Manager, and Nuclear Science & Engineering Directorate Operations Manager. His tenure at the laboratory spans several decades, reflecting a deep commitment to nuclear science and engineering.
Education and Expertise
Mike Farrar earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University, where he studied from 1976 to 1980. His educational background supports his extensive expertise in nuclear operations and reactor management, contributing to his effective leadership in various roles at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Key Contributions to Nuclear Operations
Throughout his career, Farrar has made significant contributions to nuclear operations at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He resolved outstanding operations management concerns and oversaw the resumption of reactor operations at the High Flux Isotope Reactor after a three-year shutdown. Additionally, he initiated a new maintenance organization within the Research Reactors Division, implementing formal work control processes for the first time.
Project Management and Safety Analysis
Farrar has managed critical projects, including the development of the major HFIR Safety Analysis Report update to comply with regulatory requirements. He also completed the HB-4 Cold Source Project in 2007, which delivered the brightest steady-state cold neutron beam in the world. His project management skills have been essential in advancing nuclear research capabilities.