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CORVALLIS - José Reyes, Jr., the Henry W. and Janice J. Schuette Endowed Professor in Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics at Oregon State University, has been honored by HENAAC, an organization that promotes careers for Hispanics in engineering, science, technology and mathematics.

Reyes, who is the interim head of the OSU Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics, was named the "Model of the Week" on the HENAAC website, www.henaac.org, which recognizes role models and internationally known Hispanic engineers, scientists and technology professionals.

In a 14-year career at OSU, Reyes has won numerous teaching awards, and leveraged an initial $4,000 research grant into more than $13 million in additional funding in two major projects - the university's Advanced Thermal Hydraulic Research Laboratory and Advanced Plant Experiment. These have received national and international recognition, and been instrumental in the certification of two "next-generation" nuclear power reactor designs by Westinghouse.

In 2004, Reyes did a one-year sabbatical project at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, where he directed a research program that included 14 countries and culminated in an international conference.

Reyes also was recently named the co-director for the Academic Center of Excellence for Thermal Fluids and Reactor Safety, a center affiliated with the new Idaho National Laboratory. He also serves as a mentor for the OSU student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the OSU Kaleidoscope Engineering Outreach Program.

"I greatly appreciate HENAAC's leadership in making the contributions of Hispanic American engineers known to the wider public," said Reyes.

The purpose of this organization is to bring together the Hispanic community, academia, corporations, government, K-12 and college students, parents, and professional associations to create a positive change in the Hispanic community, by increasing its active participation in the nation's technological future.