CAMERON, Texas, Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center (“DBDC”) has added three experts to its Independent Advisory Committee: Danya Braun, Karl Travis, and Yassin Hassan. Neil Chapman had previously been named Chair of the committee.
The additions expand the range of independent expertise available to the DBDC as work continues at its demonstration site near Cameron, Texas. Deep Isolation’s (OTCQB: DBHL) multi-year, at-depth, full-scale demonstration program officially launched at the DBDC with the January 2026 groundbreaking and is designed to generate data and operational experience that can strengthen the technical readiness and safety case for deep borehole disposal.
“A strong demonstration program needs people who are willing to look at the work from different perspectives and ask hard questions,” said Andy Griffith, Executive Director of the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center. “Neil, Danya, Karl, and Yassin each know this field from a very different perspective, from deep borehole disposal and nuclear engineering to regulation and community engagement. That breadth of experience is exactly what we want on the Advisory Committee as the work in Cameron moves forward.”
Neil Chapman (Chair) is an independent consultant in radioactive waste management and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield. A geologist by training, he has worked in radioactive waste management for more than 45 years, supporting waste management agencies, regulatory authorities and international organizations around the world. He has published more than 200 papers and articles, as well as several books on deep geological disposal.
Danya Braun, M.A., is a Senior Social Scientist at SLR/Avaanz with nearly two decades of experience in impact assessment and nuclear waste management public policy. Her work has included research on how communities adapt to nuclear waste facility siting programs, community-level socio-economic impact assessments and support for municipalities participating in federal regulatory processes. Danya has worked as a socio-economic impact assessment consultant for Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization since 2010 and currently serves as a Strategic Advisor to the organization.
Karl Travis is a Reader in Computational Physics and Nuclear Waste Disposal at the University of Sheffield in the UK. He has more than 30 years of research experience, including 20 years in nuclear waste management and deep borehole disposal. His recent work has focused on developing deep borehole disposal schemes for spent nuclear fuel, sealing and support materials, and numerical modeling. Karl is also a key member of the IAEA’s Coordinated Research Project on deep borehole disposal.
Yassin Hassan is a University Distinguished Professor, Regents Professor and the L.F. Peterson ’36 Chair II in Engineering at Texas A&M University. He is a professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering and directs the Center for Advanced Small Modular and Microreactors. His research focuses on computational and experimental thermal hydraulics and advanced nuclear reactors. He is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.
Founded in 2023 as an independent nonprofit organization, the DBDC is dedicated to accelerating the global deployment of deep borehole disposal technologies. Through non-radioactive demonstrations, robust safety case development, and international collaboration, the Center addresses critical challenges in radioactive waste management. With a foundation of scientific excellence and transparency, the DBDC continues to engage global experts, communities, and stakeholders to promote safe and practical solutions for managing long-lived radioactive materials.
Media contact
info@deepboreholedemo.org
About the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center
The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing deep borehole disposal as a safe and effective solution for radioactive waste management. Through international collaboration, scientific excellence, and community engagement, the Center conducts demonstrations and develops safety cases to support the global deployment of deep borehole technologies. For more information about the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center and its initiatives, please visit www.deepboreholedemo.org.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center’s anticipated activities, demonstration program, timelines, collaborations, and expected outcomes. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that may affect outcomes include technical, regulatory, operational, and funding considerations. The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3dfbb71-f62c-4f40-a6cf-69fd1bdc821d
DBDC Independent Advisory Committee
DBDC Independent Advisory Committee
© 2026 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.