NSE - Nuclear Science & Engineering at MIT

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NSE Spotlights

Female grad student Youyeon Choi, arms folded outside on a path with trees on the right

Researching high-fidelity methods to make small modular reactors more cost-effective

THer native South Korea is among the world’s leading nations in nuclear energy. Third-year doctoral student, Youyeon Choi, is leaning on her work experience in Seoul, and her love of multi-physics modeling to pursue doctoral research at MIT NSE.

Faculty member Zachary Hartwig stands arms folded inside a lab space at MIT

SPOTLIGHT: Transforming fusion from a scientific curiosity into a powerful clean energy source

Driven to solve hard problems, Associate Professor Zachary Hartwig is advancing a new approach to commercial fusion energy.
Female grad student Youyeon Choi, arms folded outside on a path with trees on the right.

Researching high-fidelity methods to make small modular reactors more cost-effective

Her native South Korea is among the world’s leading nations in nuclear energy. Third-year doctoral student, Youyeon Choi, is leaning on her work experience in Seoul, and her love of multi-physics modeling to pursue doctoral research at MIT NSE.
Headshot of faculty member Ethan Peterson, outdoors against a green trees, MIT

Smart handling of neutrons is crucial to fusion power success

Ethan Peterson is addressing some of the practical, overlooked issues that need to be worked out for viable fusion power plants.
Faculty member Curtis Smith leaning on a glass whiteboard with writing inside and office with a window in the background, MIT

Applying risk and reliability analysis Across industries

After an illustrious career at Idaho National Laboratory spanning three decades, Curtis Smith is looking forward to sharing his expertise in risk analysis and management with future generations of engineers.
Graduate student, Liam Jines, seated outdoors with concrete architectural columns in the background and to the right

Aligning economic and regulatory frameworks for today’s nuclear reactor technology

Today’s regulations for nuclear reactors may have been well designed for existing technologies but are unprepared for how the field has evolved and what might come down the pike. Through systems modeling and by studying environmental transport of radionuclide inventory, Liam Hines NSE doctoral student wants to ensure that policy keeps up with the technology.
Graduate student, Thomas Varnish, in the middle of a research facility, PUFFIN at MIT's PSFC

Studying astrophysically relevant plasma physics

The third-year doctoral student has always loved a hands-on approach to science. Research in lab-based astrophysics has enabled him to experiment in an otherwise heavily theoretical subject.
Graduate student, Eli Sanchez standing in a out of focus naturally lit hallway, in the left side of the photograph, MIT

Modeling the threat of nuclear war

As part of his doctoral studies in MIT’s Department of Nuclear Scienc and Engineering, Eli Sanchez focused on understanding whether hypersonic missiles are a threat to global security.
Male Professor Ericmoore Jossou, seated leaning on his left arm, right leg crossed over left on an orange sofa indoors, MIT

Optimizing nuclear fuels for next-generation reactors

While working on nurturing scientific talent in his native Nigeria, Ericmoore Jossou is setting his sights on using materials science and computation to design robust nuclear components.
Male postdoc, Guoqing Wang, in lab leaning on his right arm; green laser instrumentation set-up in the foreground to the left and wires hanging above, MIT

Exploring quantum phenomena through an engineering perspective

Guoqing Wang has channeled a deep love of physics to the study of different aspects of quantum sciences.
Alumnus, Masashi Hirose facing camera, blurred steel architectural features to the right and background, MIT

Democratizing Access to Quantum

A passion for quantum physics has led Masashi Hirose, an alumnus of MIT-NSE, to seek to revolutionize computing by creating a network of viable quantum computers.
ill Rahon in Army fatigues seated on a swivel chair in a lab with instuments and lab equipment behind her, and our of focus to the front left, MIT

Soaring high in the Army — and in research

After three deployments in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Jill Rahon is pursuing research that will help verify conformation of nuclear treaties.
female with arms crossed standing on the right side of the photo inside a building at MIT with a brick wall to the right and steel structure to the left

Optimizing construction and operation of nuclear energy facilities

Keen to accelerate the adoption of nuclear energy, Isabel Naranjo De Candido is working on methods to optimize construction and operation of production plants.
male student in red checked tshirt and jeans seated outdoors on park bench leaning forward with arms on knees with corrugated metal wall in background, MIT

Printing a new approach to fusion powerplant materials

Through research on additive manufacturing of metal-ceramic composites, the fourth-year nuclear science and engineering doctoral student, Alexander O'Brien is enabling a category of high-functioning materials that can deliver the next generation of fusion devices.
male student standing with arms folded, grid of photos of people in labs in the background, MIT

Exploring the bow shock and beyond

PhD student Rishabh Datta seeks to further understanding of astrophysical phenomena.
female leaning agains an architechtural column outdoors at MIT with left hand on hip

Winning over nuclear skeptics

Kaylee Cunningham might love nuclear engineering and computer science but recognizes that her training could be for naught if myths continue to plague the industry. The activist is committed to help &emdash; one TikTok at a time.
male in front of instruments in a lab at MIT

Understanding boiling to help the nuclear industry and space missions

Always fascinated by physics, Florian Chavagnat is propelling his love of the science to answer fundamental questions about heat transfer that will shape the success of nuclear power plants — and extended missions in space.
Female faculty member in blue dress leaning against a glass wall, MIT

Helping the cause of environmental resilience

Haruko Wainwright believes environmental monitoring can empower citizens to make informed decisions about their energy and environment.
Male faculty member in blue sweater seated in a chair in a hallway, MIT

An evolutionary shift from the local (nano) scale to the global

Eight years ago, Jacopo Buongiorno’s career took a turn from a focus on technical to a broader engagement with the global nuclear ecosystem, and there’s been no turning back.

Department of Nuclear Science & Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 24-107 (map)
Cambridge, MA 02139
nse-info@mit.edu