Dr. Supathorn Phongikaroon Named Director of Nuclear Engineering Program
The John and Marcia Price College of Engineering is pleased to announce that Dr. Supathorn (Supy) Phongikaroon will join the University of Utah as Professor of Nuclear Engineering beginning August 2025. He will hold the EnergySolutions Presidential Endowed Chair in Nuclear Engineering and serve as the new Director of the Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP).
Dr. Phongikaroon is nationally recognized for his academic leadership, innovative research, and dedication to students. He became Director of the Nuclear Engineering Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2018, serving first as Associate Professor. He was awarded the Qimonda Professorship from 2019 to 2020, and has held the title of Engineering Foundation Professor since 2021. Under his leadership, VCU’s Nuclear Engineering Program rose to No. 18 in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report national rankings.
“I’m thrilled to join UNEP at such an exciting time for Utah, where there’s so much momentum around nuclear energy,” said Phongikaroon. “With the University of Utah’s research reactor as a unique asset, we have a real opportunity to blend cutting-edge nuclear science with new energy applications and advanced medical research.”
A visionary academic and skilled collaborator, Dr. Phongikaroon has cultivated strong partnerships with national laboratories and industry, expanded online learning opportunities, and shaped a curriculum that emphasizes career preparation and real-world relevance for over 400 students. Through his direction, VCU established itself as a leader in nuclear energy and technology, with a strong focus on pedagogy, advanced reactor design, fusion, corrosion, radioisotope production, and non-proliferation.
The University of Utah’s TRIGA Reactor
Dr. Phongikaroon has played a key role in shaping the program’s unique focus, with research centered on molten salt radiochemistry and laser spectroscopy. His work covers nuclear fuel separation, safeguards, pyroprocessing, and advanced spectroscopy. He has secured over $6 million in research funding, published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, and, with his team, delivered more than 100 technical presentations. His contributions continue to advance the fields of nuclear chemistry and engineering on both national and international stages.
Beyond research, Dr. Phongikaroon is a dedicated educator. He has designed and taught more than 25 courses that bridge core engineering principles with emerging challenges in nuclear science. His impact as a mentor and instructor aligns closely with the mission of UNEP and the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering to prepare students for high-impact careers in energy, security, and technology.
Dr. Phongikaroon holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering (with a secondary field in Chemical Engineering) from the University of Maryland, College Park. His interdisciplinary expertise and proven leadership will build on the strong foundation established by Dr. Glenn Sjoden, continuing the program’s tradition of excellence while positioning it for exciting new growth.
“I’m eager to take on this challenge and help bring together nuclear science, engineering, and technology—all working in unison to move the University and the state forward.”
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Phongikaroon to the University of Utah. We look forward to the leadership, energy, and innovation he will bring to UNEP, our engineering community, and the campus.
Nuclear Engineering at the University of Utah
The Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP) is responsible for educating the next generation workforce in critical nuclear engineering fields and developing innovative procedures and technologies for the advancement of nuclear applications.
Our curriculum is designed for engineers and scientists involved in the nuclear power and radioactive waste industries, nuclear medicine, homeland security, radiation safety, and nuclear materials detection. We offer an undergraduate minor and two graduate degrees (M.S. non-thesis and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering).
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