As 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 […]
Read MoreCametrius Warren leans over a lab bench, carefully handling biological samples as part of her research at the University of Utah. A first-year Ph.D. student, Warren is not only dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine but also to changing the way the world perceives radiation. Originally from Northwest Louisiana, Warren’s journey into nuclear science began at Oregon […]
Read MoreAlzheimer’s disease, a debilitating brain disorder with limited treatment options, has long challenged researchers. Specifically, researchers have struggled with slowing the buildup of amyloid beta plaques, harmful clumps in the brain that exacerbate the disease by damaging brain cells and causing memory loss. Recently, researchers from the University of Utah’s Nuclear Engineering Program (UNEP), in collaboration with Dr. […]
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