Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA
Alm-Lytz making radiation measurements at Loviisa nuclear power plant during outage inspection. (Photo: FORTUM)
The IAEA profiles employees to provide insight into the variety of career paths that support the Agency’s mission of Atoms for Peace and Development and to inspire and encourage readers, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. Read more profiles of women at the IAEA.
From a young age, Kirsi Alm-Lytz, now head of the IAEA Regulatory Activities Section, was fascinated by physics, and its ability to explain everything in our universe, from the motion of planets to the behaviour of particles. This passion for understanding the fundamental laws of nature eventually led her to a career in nuclear regulation, where she applies her knowledge and expertise to ensure the safe use of nuclear technology.
“I remember when I was a kid, becoming an architect was once my dream, but as my interest in physics grew, it guided me towards finding my career in nuclear regulation,” said Alm-Lytz. “We grow up with visions of who we might become, but along the way, new paths unfold, sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes beautifully.”
At just 24 years old, after she completed her Master of Science degree in engineering physics focusing on plasma physics and nuclear technologies Alm-Lytz undertook her first nuclear power plant outage inspection in Finland’s Loviisa nuclear powerplant, an experience that shaped her career.
Intrigued by the nuclear field’s complexities, challenges, and immense potential, she started to wonder how she could contribute to nuclear safety regulation.