b'EFFICIENT AND INNOVATIVE NUCLEAR MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONSSTEM at WM2026: WM highlights Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) as an integral part of our overall mission to promote technical excellence and education by fostering STEM engagement in grades K-12. Plan to get involved and attend the STEM focused panels and interact with the STEM Zone Exhibit Resources. Have questions about STEM at WM2026? Contact Susan Walter, Managing Director, swalter@wmsym.org.Program Advisory Committee (PAC): PAC Members and Supporters are leaders in their field and advise on and organize the technical program for the annual conference. As a PAC Supporter, you also support organizing activities and are eligible to become a PAC Member after two years. Take this opportunity to be on the front line of advancements in our field. Interested, contact Gary Benda, PAC Chair, gbenda@wmsym.org.Young Professionals (YP) are encouraged to participate in the PAC as a Supporter and Member. Industry can support and sponsor a YP to become a PAC Supporter by sponsoring YP PAC travel costs and mentoring them while a PAC Supporter. By getting involved, companies can foster healthy workforce development and future WM conference technical development. Contact Gary Benda, PAC Chair, gbenda@wmsym.org to support a YP.PARTICIPATE IN THE TECHNICAL PROGRAMWM2026 offers 12 technical tracks with many opportunities to present your work, successes, and lessons learned to your colleagues at the conference. Select a topic from the Tracks and Topic Numbers that best represents your work and submit an abstract for consideration to present. Approved abstracts are selected to participate in either an oral or poster session. The criterion for determining conference placement is designed to ensure each abstract is properly reviewed and assigned to the most appropriate Track/Session. HOW TO SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT FOR CONSIDERATION Abstracts should be between 400 - 800 words and should be submitted online at www.wmsym.org before Friday, August 22, 2025. When submitting an abstract, you must select the topic from the list of Tracks and Topic Numbers that best correspond to your abstract. Authors unsure of the best topic number can assign their abstract to Track 12.0, where your abstract will be reviewed and reassigned. Please note that WM and the PAC have the authority to reassign an abstract if an appropriate topic number is not selected. Any abstract received after August 22, 2025, will be subject to a second review prior to acceptance. Please note, your email address and telephone number will be shared with WM Volunteers for planning purposes.The abstract is required to have the following content:1.A descriptive title (125 characters or less) that reflects the paper and presentation content.2.A summary that includes the background of the problem, the methods used, the results and conclusions.3.A brief description of this studys application/benefit to others should be addressed within the summary.4.Contact information for all authors must include organization, email address and phone number.5.A condensed summary (50 - 100 words) that will be added to the WM online program after the abstract is evaluated and accepted.Registrants/presenters are limited to two (2) abstract submissions for oral presentations and will be restricted to two (2) oral presentations at the conference. There is no limit on the number of abstracts one person can co-author. Presenters are expected to attend the live conference as a Technical Session registrant and must submit payment no later than December 31, 2025.For full abstract submission requirements and instructions as well as the selection process details, please visit www.wmsym.org.Abstract rating criterion and abstract preparation guides are posted on the WM website under the Technical ProgramResources & Forms page.REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL AID OR LETTER OF INVITATION / VISA REQUESTSAll conference participants are required to register and complete payment prior to attending the conference. WM offers a limitednumber of registration financial aid requests for the conference. To request financial aid or a Letter of Invitation to apply for a travel visa, please complete and return the form located under the Register - Rates & Information menu option on our website. Forms must be sent to Meg Pratt, Registration Manager mpratt@wmsym.org by November 21, 2025. All deadlines for authors must be met in order to be eligible. Please note that WM does not offer financial aid for travel expenses. SESSION ACCREDITATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTBoost your Credentials at WM2026! Earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs/CEUs) for most sessions and workshops. As an IACET Accredited Provider, WM offers IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for select sessions and workshops that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. Any PAC Member/Supporter can propose any topic from the listing as a learning event. Interested in presenting an IACET accredited CEU session? More information will be provided regarding the presenter requirements when the submission site opens for WM2026.For Technical Program questions, contact: Gary Benda, PAC Chair gbenda@wmsym.org V: +1 803-317-1116; Terry Sams, Deputy PAC Chair, tsams@wmsym.org, Lisa Parenti, Technical Program Coordinator, lparenti@wmsym.org; Jackie Quintyne, IACET Director, jquintyne@wmsym.org; or the relevant Track Co-Chair listed with the track information.3'