1 September 2008
Manuel otherwise known as 'Manolo', is from Madrid, Spain. Manolo has a nuclear physics background having graduated with a physics degree from the Compultense University of Madrid in 1985. Upon graduation Manolo was involved in research projects on high energy physics at the former Nuclear Energy Institute of Madrid (currently the CIEMAT research centre) in connection with the design of DELPHI experiment at CERN’s LEP particle accelerator. Manolo proceeded to join TECNATOM in 1987, a Spanish nuclear engineering service company, where he received comprehensive training on LWRs design and operation and worked in the delivery of engineering services to NPPs. 2 years later, Manolo joined the Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear (CSN, the Spanish nuclear and radiation safety regulatory body) as a State’s Administration Civil Servant serving in various capacities. Of note, was his post at the Department of Nuclear Engineering, where he was responsible for matters related to neutron physics, criticality and fuel and core transient behaviour. He negotiated the Spanish participation in the international programme of the CABRI Water Loop Project for testing high burnup fuel under transient conditions. He was then appointed as Assistant to the Chairman of the CSN for International Relations in a very exciting time, when the newly created international regulatory associations (INRA, WENRA and Foro Iberoamericano) and the Nuclear Safety Convention had reached “cruise speed”. Manolo moved to the Spanish Ministry of Economy (currently the MITYC: Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce) late 2002, where he was appointed Head of International Nuclear Affairs within the General Directorate for Energy Policy and Mines. He was responsible for relations with the IAEA, the European Union, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on matters within the realm of competencies of the MITYC, including, but not limited to, bilateral and multilateral external cooperation, nuclear safeguards, legal affairs, bilateral agreements on peaceful uses of nuclear energy and physical protection. He advised the European Commission on nuclear safety cooperation under the former TACIS and PHARE regulations, and was deeply involved in drafting the 2007 EU Council Regulation establishing the new Instrument on Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC). After the entry into force of the Regulation he was designated representative of Spain in the Management Committee of the INSC.
Manolo joined the TC Europe team as Head of Section 1, in late August 2008. He brings a wealth of experience from all aspects of the nuclear sector ranging from industrial services to government policy making, providing invaluable insight and perspective on addressing TC Programming matters.
Manolo is married to Amparo and has 2 daughters, Ana and Sara. Manolo also enjoys watching any kind of sport, chatting to friends in a relaxed atmosphere and an occasional smoke, and likes to tidy up his desk when stressed.
Manolo's profile is also located here:
http://tc.iaea.org/tcweb/regionalsites/europe/features/staffnews/reciom/
