Nuclear engineering professors Vince Wang and Supathorn Phongikaroon had a great time representing the Utah Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP) at Evergreen High School on October 3, 2026, introducing students and families to nuclear engineering and sharing where the field is heading in Utah and across the nation. “It was exciting to talk with students about […]
Read MoreAs Utah explores an expanded role for nuclear energy, the University of Utah is preparing students to contribute to the state’s changing energy landscape. Utah News Dispatch recently highlighted plans to update the University’s nuclear engineering minor with new coursework in nuclear energy, science and technology. The revised curriculum has been approved by the University’s […]
Read MoreRepresentatives from the University of Utah’s nuclear engineering program joined national leaders in advanced nuclear technology, cybersecurity and national security at the 2026 A/SMR Cybersecurity and Operational Resilience Summit. Held Aug. 19–20 at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, the summit focused on the secure deployment of advanced and small modular reactors. […]
Read MoreDeveloping new cancer treatments requires more than breakthrough medicines. It also depends on the ability to safely produce medical isotopes—the specialized radioactive materials that make those therapies possible. Improving access to these critical medical isotopes remains one of the field’s most significant challenges. At the University of Utah, Ph.D. candidate Nicholas Becker is dedicating his […]
Read MoreAs the global demand for clean energy grows, so does the need to safely manage nuclear waste and ensure the secure transportation of nuclear materials. At the University of Utah, this challenge is being addressed through a unique interdisciplinary model—where nuclear engineering is integrated within the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN), connecting energy […]
Read MoreSupathorn Phongikaroon, Professor and Energy Solutions Presidential Endowed Chair, and Director of the Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP), recently participated in the Nuclear Engineering Department Heads Organization (NEDHO) Day on Capitol Hill. This annual event brings together academic leaders in nuclear engineering from across the country to engage directly with federal policymakers on issues shaping the […]
Read MoreFor 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. […]
Read MoreMicroreactors are quickly shifting from sci-fi-adjacent prototypes to one of the most promising tools in America’s clean-energy toolkit. Roughly the size of a shipping container, these next-gen nuclear systems can deliver reliable power to remote communities, military bases, disaster zones, or industrial sites—without the massive infrastructure required by traditional nuclear plants. But there’s one major […]
Read MoreRedefining Radiation Hardness Testing July 25, 2025 Positioning the University of Utah’s Nuclear Reactor as a Key Site for Radiation Testing Radiation hardness testing is used to evaluate how well materials—such as sensors, microchips, and other essential tech used in nuclear science—can withstand radiation without failing. Testing a materials’ resilience to radiation helps us develop […]
Read MoreAlzheimer’s Disease affects nearly six million people in the U.S. today, a number expected to more than double by 2050. While current FDA-approved treatments can slow progression, they don’t reverse the disease—and come with serious side effects, including brain swelling. The question researchers are racing to answer is: Can we develop a safer, more effective […]
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