For 17 years, Dr. Michael Simpson worked at U.S. national laboratories on the leading edge of nuclear energy research. That experience shaped not only his career, but also his sense of purpose.

“Working in the national labs connected me with the real needs of our nation in nuclear energy and nuclear waste management,” Simpson says. “I helped develop technologies that truly can be rolled out and implemented to contribute to our nation’s long-term energy security.”

Today, Simpson brings that real-world perspective to the University of Utah as a Professor of Metallurgical Engineering and an adjunct professor in the Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP), housed within Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN). His work bridges disciplines and connects cutting-edge materials science with the future of advanced nuclear systems.

Advancing Nuclear Energy for a Secure Future

Simpson received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Princeton University in 1996 and joined the University of Utah in 2013. His research focuses on nuclear energy systems, nuclear waste management, and the use of molten salts in advanced nuclear reactors — a promising technology for safer, more efficient next-generation nuclear power.

Over the past five years alone, Simpson has added 42 publications to his scholarly record and secured approximately $5 million in research funding. His work contributes directly to innovations that support the U.S.’s long-term energy security, reflecting both scientific rigor and national impact.

He is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts in his field.

Leadership, Service, and Mentorship

In addition to his research, Simpson is deeply committed to academic leadership and student mentorship. He currently supervises and mentors 9 Ph.D. students across materials science & engineering, metallurgical engineering, chemical engineering, and nuclear engineering — a testament to the interdisciplinary nature of his work.

He serves as Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) and was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Service Award from the Metallurgical Engineering Department in 2022.

Recognized Across Campus

Simpson’s accomplishments were recently highlighted in Provost Perspectives, a newsletter from the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mitzi M. Montoya. As part of a campus-wide Faculty Focus series, he was recognized for his research productivity, mentorship, and contributions to the university community following the Tenured Faculty Review process in spring 2025.

Through his national laboratory experience, pioneering research, and dedication to students, Michael Simpson continues to help shape the future of nuclear energy — both at the University of Utah and beyond.

On March 24, our Distinguished Structural Engineering Seminar with Ron Klemencic brought together a highly collaborative and engaged engineering community.

We were proud to host a full room of students, faculty, industry professionals, and colleagues from neighboring institutions — including four professors from Utah State University and one from Utah Valley University. The strong turnout and cross-disciplinary participation created an environment for meaningful discussion and connection across academia and industry.

Ron shared insights from a career shaping skylines around the world — from Salesforce Tower to Rainier Square — along with the innovations behind Performance-Based Seismic Design and the SpeedCore system.

This event was generously co-hosted by BHB Structural and the Structural Engineers Association of Utah, and we look forward to continuing the Distinguished Structural Engineering Seminar series in collaboration with other Utah-based engineering firms.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a dynamic and impactful event.

The next distinguished engineer we're bringing to campus is Dr. Mary MacLaughlin, a Goldcorp Professor & Head of Civil Engineering at Montana tech. Learn more.