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PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CURRENT STUDENTS

Michelle Sonderman

Undergraduate Program Manager

Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences

mlwhit@umich.edu

(734) 936-3130

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HARNESS AND CONTROL NUCLEAR ENERGY TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, AND SOLVE PROBLEMS.

Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences (NERS)

nuc·le·ar en·gi·neer·ing and ra·di·o·lo·gi·cal sci·enc·es

The control and use of energy to solve various engineering problems.

Also Known As: Radiation Engineer, Medical Physicist, Medical Imaging Engineer, Radiological Defense Officer, Nuclear Design Engineer, Nuclear Reactor Inspector, Radioactive Waste Management Officer, Weapons Designer, Plasma Treatment Specialist, Atomic Process Engineer, +10,000 more

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WHY NERS
AT MICHIGAN?

  • No. 1

    US News and World Report

  • 6:1

    Student to Faculty Ratio

  • 75%

    of students admitted to graduate/PhD school (2022/2023)

  • 25

    Average Class size

  • $

    departmental scholarships determined based on need and merit

A Student uses a Microsoft Hololens headset to demonstrate use of augmented reality to detect the presence of nuclear weapons

What do Nuclear Engineers and Radiological Scientists do?

You may have predicted that we are responsible for the development and maintenance of nuclear reactors, but we’re also doing vastly different, incredible things: performing and maximizing the success of nuclear fusion to be a sustainable energy source; studying the effect of radiation on materials and on the human body to improve patient care and worker safety; using plasma to purify water; and protecting regular people like you and me from the threat of nuclear weapons.

ACADEMIC FOCUS AREAS

  • Fission Systems and Radiation Transport

    Develop new reactors, improve existing ones, and build a better fuel system for the future. We are on the fastest path to zero- as in zero carbon emissions- and you could be a part of the major harnessing nuclear technology to provide clean and sustainable energy to power our world.

    Courses: Nuclear Power Reactors, Quantum Mechanics in Neutron-Nuclear Reactors

  • Materials and Radiation Effect

    We can’t have old and worn down equipment processing nuclear fuel. Through this focus area, you will learn how radiation affects materials, specifically those materials that go into making reactors. You are responsible for increasing durability and easing the aging process of reactors, and then figuring out how to decommission those that are no longer safe.

    Courses: Nuclear Engineering Materials, Interaction of Radiation & Matter, Nuclear Waste Management, Transportation of Radioactive Materials

  • Radiation Measurements and Imaging

    Medical Diagnosis and Treatment

    Follow radiation as it courses through the human body targeting cancer tumors and observe the side effects of this raw energy on neighboring non-cancerous cells. It’s your job to balance these two forces- to keep normal cells safe and to kill cancer cells help patients begin their count for remission.

    Courses: Engineering Principles of Radiation Imaging, Medical Radiological Health Engineering, Physics of Diagnostic Radiology, Radiological Dose Assessment & Response

    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Security

    Work for the Department of Defense or Homeland Security protecting our citizens from nuclear weapons. Design radiation detection systems to be used in airports and other public hubs to keep people safe.

    Courses: Nuclear Measurements Laboratory, Detection Techniques of Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Radiation Shielding Design

  • Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion

    Use plasma to purify water for drinking or to promote plant growth or take things to the atomic scale and discover how nuclear fusion can be carried out successfully on a scale large enough to make it a viable option for alternative energy sources.

    Courses: Plasma Generation & Diagnostics Laboratory, Fusion Reactor Technology, Nuclear Fuels, Computational Plasma Physics, Theory of Plasma Confinement in Fusion Systems

  • Areas in which a student, through the use of technical and free electives and in consultation with their advisor, could decide to focus.

Areas in which a student, through the use of technical and free electives and in consultation with their advisor, could decide to focus.

Explore Minors

ENGINEERING MINORS OTHER MINORS
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Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies Program (SUGS)

Complete your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in only five years with SUGS by taking some graduate-level classes during your undergraduate years, so you can save yourself one semester and complete the masters with only two additional semesters.

LEARN MORE

Sample Course List

First-Year

First-Year

  • Fall Semester
    • CoE Core Calculus I (Math 115)
    • CoE Core Engineering 100
    • CoE Core Chemistry (125/126 and 130 or 210 and 211)
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth
  • Winter Semester
    • CoE Core Calculus II (Math 116)
    • CoE Core Engineering 101
    • CoE Core Physics (140 and 141)
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth

Sophomore Year

Sophomore Year

  • Fall Semester
    • CoE Core Calculus III (Math 215)
    • CoE Core Physics (240 and 241)
    • Elective General Elective
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth
  • Winter Semester
    • CoE Core Differential Equations (Math 216)
    • Major Requirement Engineering Materials (MATSCIE 220/250)
    • Major Requirement Fundamentals of NERS (NERS 250)
    • Elective General Elective

Junior Year

Junior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Major Requirement Circuits (EECS 215/314)
    • Major Requirement Thermodynamics (MECHENG 235)
    • Major Requirement Elements of NERS I (NERS 311)
    • Major Requirement Applied Mathematics (NERS 320)
  • Winter Semester
    • Major Requirement Elements of NERS II (NERS 312)
    • Major Requirement Nuclear Instrumentation Lab (NERS 315)
    • Major Requirement Fluid Mechanics in Nuclear Engineering (NERS 344)
    • Elective General Electives
    • Elective Intellectual Breadth

Senior Year

Senior Year

  • Fall Semester
    • Major Requirement Nuclear Reactor Theory I (NERS 441)
    • Major Requirement Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer (NERS 444)
    • Major Requirement NERS Elective
    • Major Requirement NERS Elective
    • Elective General Elective
  • Winter Semester
    • Major Requirement NERS Laboratory Course
    • Major Requirement NERS Design Course
    • Major Requirement NERS Elective
    • Major Requirement Technical Elective

Individualized schedules will be made by students in consultation with an advisor who will tailor their classes to better fit the student's needs.

EDITABLE SAMPLE SCHEDULE ENGINEERING COURSE LIST U-M COURSE GUIDE

Practice Your Purpose

Apply the skills you are learning in class to the real world.

Student Engagement

Student Highlights
MDP Nuclear Projects

Professional Development

American Nuclear Society Logo
American Nuclear Society
Two professors and a student smile at the camera. The student is holding an award certificate received at the ANS Conference
American Nuclear Society National Conference
Students sit around a large table with laptops having a discussion
Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
Women in Nuclear

Research

NERS Undergraduate Research
NERS Undergraduate Research Opportunities
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Alumni Biographies

Each of these alumni are real people who were once in your shoes, deciding a major. Explore their path and how a Michigan education set their life in motion.

  • Ciara Sivels headshot
    • Ciara Sivels
    • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Y Andy Boucher headshot
    • Y. Andy Boucher
    • H3D, Inc
  • Kristine Madden headshot
    • Kristine Madden
    • International Atomic Energy Agency
  • Hunter Phillip Smith headshot
    • Hunter Phillip Smith
    • Holtec International
  • Xiaojin Shen headshot
    • Xiaojin Shen
    • Varian Medical Systems
  • Joel Kulesza headshot
    • Joel A. Kulesza
    • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Kaitlyn Barr
    • Kaitlyn Barr
    • GE Hitachi
  • River Bennett
    • River Bennett
  • Annie Kritchner
    • Annie Kritcher
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
    • Michael Hua
    • Helion Energy
Ciara Sivels headshot

    Ciara Sivels

    Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Y Andy Boucher headshot

    Y. Andy Boucher

    H3D, Inc

Kristine Madden headshot

    Kristine Madden

    International Atomic Energy Agency

Hunter Phillip Smith headshot

    Hunter Phillip Smith

    Holtec International

Xiaojin Shen headshot

    Xiaojin Shen

    Varian Medical Systems

Joel Kulesza headshot

    Joel A. Kulesza

    Los Alamos National Laboratory

Kaitlyn Barr

    Kaitlyn Barr

    GE Hitachi

River Bennett

    River Bennett

Annie Kritchner

    Annie Kritcher

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)

    Michael Hua

    Helion Energy

Not sure what major to choose?

Tap into our network of 85k+ engineering alumni. Do you have questions you’d like answered? Our alumni are always eager to talk about engineering.
(Current and admitted UM students only.)

Speak to an Alum
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Industries and Occupations

  • National Laboratories
  • Nuclear Power Plants
  • Medicine
  • Medical Physics
  • Modular Reactors
  • Water Treatment
  • Environmental Studies
  • Homeland Security
  • Department of Defense
  • Naval Nuclear Lab
  • Department of Energy
A professor runs a sample through a plutonium and uranium detector in made up of metal cylinders pointing at the sample

Companies

  • BWXT
  • Constellation
  • DTE
  • Duke Energy
  • Framatome
  • GE – Hitachi
  • H3D, Inc.
  • Holtec International
  • Kairos Power
  • Michigan Medicine
  • Radiant
  • Westinghouse
  • West Physics
  • X-Energy

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Ciara Sivels headshot

Ciara Sivels

  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Senior Professional Staff

University of Michigan, BSE Chemical Engineering 2001
University of Michigan, MSE Biomedical Engineering, 2004
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, BS Nuclear Science and Engineering, 2013
University of Michigan, MSE Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2015
University of Michigan, PhD Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2018
Career Summary

During my time at Michigan I learned how to use a Monte Carlo radiation transport tool, MCNP. I also was the GSI for two courses using this code so I gained a lot of experience troubleshooting and teaching others to use it. The experiences at Michigan allowed me to acquire the job at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) since MCNP is required for my work.

I’ve participated in many interviews talking about my experience. I was the Black History Month speaker at WPI in February 2019. Currently at APL, I volunteer with the STEM office. I also participate in the National Society of Black Engineers DC Professionals chapter.

Favorite Events

My favorite events were the ones where we got to dress up like the Graduate Student Ball by RSG.

Favorite Student Orgs

I was very active in Society of Minority Engineers and Scientists- Graduate Component (SMES-G). Xplore Engineering and Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) were my favorite outreach programs.

Advice to Students

Have work life balance but always focus on your goals.

Y Andy Boucher headshot

Y. Andy Boucher

  • H3D, Inc
  • Sales Director

University of Michigan, BSE Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2008
University of Michigan, MSE Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2009
University of Michigan, PhD Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2013
Career Summary

After my time at the University of Michigan, I moved to H3D, a startup company that spun out of the research group I was in at the University of Michigan. I started as the product manager, where I interacted with customers to understand their needs for the radiation detection equipment that was designed, manufactured and sold by H3D. Additionally, I was responsible for managing the products through the development process and during continuous improvement after the product was no longer a prototype. As product manager, I was heavily involved with the sales team and as the company grew over the years, I took on more and more responsibilities related to the sales process, such as management of our distributors. Eventually, H3D’s sales director moved to another position within the company and I was selected to take over as Sales Director.

Favorite Student Orgs

As a student, I was heavily involved in Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor’s society. This was a great way to meet other students outside of my major as without joining a large society with a variety of students from different majors, I would have spent all my time with fellow nuclear engineers. So I would suggest students to be cognizant of whether their major allows them to get much cross-over with other majors and if not to join an organization(s) that allow them to meet people outside their major.

Advice to Students

Some of my best memories from school were attending various sporting events: hockey, basketball and football games. It wasn’t easy to balance homework and other educational responsibilities with the time required to attend all of these sporting events, but I would encourage students to try to take time to attend as much extracurricular events as possible. And if you aren’t into sports, then take advantage of musicals, plays, concerts or whatever it is that you enjoy as the university can offer all of it.

Kristine Madden headshot

Kristine Madden

  • International Atomic Energy Agency
  • Nuclear Safeguards Inspector

University of Michigan, BSE Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
Agency Safeguards Training- International Atomic Energy Agency Introductory Course
MSt Candidate, International Relations, University of Cambridge, U.K.
Career Summary

Kristine Madden has over a decade of experience in the international regulatory affairs sector. Kristine is currently a nuclear safeguards inspector at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an autonomous international organization within the United Nations system. At the IAEA, Kristine verifies Member States activity in the Non-Proliferation Treaty to ensure that nuclear material is not being diverted from peaceful to military purposes and nuclear technology is not being misused. Prior, Kristine worked on spent fuel management in the US, UK and Ukraine, and most notably at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant; regulatory affairs, specifically related to the development of international design safety requirements for small modular reactors and dry fuel storage systems; and nuclear power plant operations and engineering. Kristine also has experience developing human performance and leadership development programs for U.S. based utilities.

In addition to her work experience, Kristine also dedicates her time to investing in the education of tomorrow’s leaders and climate action. Kristine founded a non-profit in Philadelphia focused on providing free tutoring to dyslexic students in inner city schools using the Orton-Gillingham method. As head of climate change for the International Youth Nuclear Congress, Kristine develops, implements and coordinates activities for and participation in clean energy and climate change fora.

Awards Received
  • IAEA General Conference, UAE Side Event, Nuclear Power: The Way Forward and Young Professionals, Moderator and Co-organizer, Vienna, Austria, 2018
  • North American Young Generation in Nuclear Future Award, 2017
  • Keynote Speaker, Annual International Small Modular Reactor Development Forum and New Build Conference, 2016
  • University of Michigan College of Engineering Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, 2016
  • United States of America State Department Junior Professional Officer Program to the United Nations recipient
  • Holtec International Meritorious Award, 2014
  • Entergy Impact Award, 2012
  • Entergy Continuous Improvement Award, 2010, 2011, 2012
What do you like to do outside of work?

I love to travel and read as both broaden my mindset, expand my imagination and helps me better understand other cultures and how we can learn from their successes and failures. Thus far, I have travelled to 49 countries, and I usually bring my Michigan flag along for a token photo. I’ve been featured on the UM Instagram account about a half dozen times now – it’s an amusing tradition. I also enjoy participating in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, downhill skiing and water sports.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

My favorite U-M pastimes include football Saturday; cheering on my best friend, Chisako Sugiyama, a member of the varsity women’s tennis team, at her matches; and enjoying a warm spring day on the Diag with friends. I still make it back at least once a year to enjoy a football game, Pizza Bob’s chipati and a night out with Good Time Charley and Rick. While I don’t mind missing all-nighters in the acclaimed nuclear engineering hangout spot of the third floor of the Duderstadt, I do miss the camaraderie associated with those nights.

Advice to Students

Lessen your classroom load for a semester and enjoy the extra time spent with friends at a university game, picnicking on the Diag, or sledding in the Arb. Those are the memories you will carry forward with you.

Hunter Phillip Smith headshot

Hunter Phillip Smith

  • Holtec International
  • Nuclear Engineer

University of Michigan, BSE Nuclear Engineering, 2016
University of Michigan, MSE Nuclear Engineering, 2017
Career Summary

In the last two years of my schooling I worked closely with Dr. Thomas Downer. The projects he had me work on helped me become much more intimate with the industry standard modeling codes (e.g., SERPENT, PARCS) than if I had only taken the senior design course, etc. This helped me stand out and gave me a good basis for learning other codes (MCNP).

Advice to Students

Get involved with a professor and see if there is a project you can help them out on over the summer, etc. They are very knowledgeable and know a lot of people. Think about what you might like to do after you graduate and find a professor that does something like that. Also, try to get at least one internship. This will make you a prime candidate, and you will be able to pick and choose job offers.

Xiaojin Shen headshot

Xiaojin Shen

  • Varian Medical Systems
  • System Engineering Physicist

Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University, BS Atomic Physics and Thermal Engineering, 2015
University of Michigan, MSE Nuclear Engineering, 2017
Career Summary

Since childhood, I have been curious about science and technology innovation, especially physics to explain the physical property and phenomena of the things in the world. As I grow old, life events triggered me to seek practical solutions that may improve or save people’s lives. Soon after I got my masters degree in 2017, a dramatic event made a huge impact on my later life; both my grandma and aunt died of lung cancer, one after another only 5 months apart. While in shock and deep sadness, I wanted to devote myself to something that can attack this devastating disease. I immediately took a position as a research assistant to join a cancer research program in the school of medicine at the Radiation Oncology Department of the University of Michigan, conducting research under Professor Yue Cao and collaborated with Professor Martha Matuszak. In order to make a more direct and immediate impact, I started looking for opportunities in the radiation oncology industry.

My research experiences background at the University of Michigan helps me a lot to stand out from the applicants for the industries. I am learning in an engineering role in the industries and I am passionate about research and development especially in a physics-related discipline which aligned with my major. Thanks to UM and NERS for providing me with a lot of learning, research, and cross-disciplined study opportunities, that I also remembered during the summer of 2016, I joined a JUACEP program through UM to conduct research in professor Youichi Enokida’s lab at Nagoya University in Japan. I can understand this world more by doing the projects, in the meantime, I would gradually realize what I am interested in and curious about by giving the direction on how you can become better.

Reflection on Time Spent U-M

I am always ready to help other people who are in needs. For example, when I was in high school, there was a huge earthquake in Sichuan of China in 2008. At that time, I volunteered to support those affected local students to recover from the disaster, one of the activities including writing letters to answer the questions from those students in math, physics and chemistry subjects. In my spare time, I like hiking, running, mountain and rock climbing and have some other fun activities.

Favorite Student Orgs

UM SF Alumni, UM Silicon Valley Alumni, NERS ANS students chapter, Student Astronomical Society, CEN

Favorite Classes

As English is not my native language, I may highlight the courses from the ELI department, such as academic writing, research paper writing, pronunciation courses, etc.

Joel Kulesza headshot

Joel A. Kulesza

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • R&D Scientist

University of Michigan, BSE Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, 2006
University of Tennessee, MS Nuclear Engineering, 2011
University of Michigan, MSE Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, 2016
University of Michigan, Graduate Certificate Computational Discovery & Engineering, 2016
University of Michigan, PhD Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, 2018
Career Summary

Throughout my roles at various companies, I’ve had the opportunity to keep learning new technical and communication skills. This has helped me stay interested in my work, expand my professional network, advance my career, and provide benefit to my employer. After eight years in industry I returned to graduate school to refocus on my technical skills while incorporating some of my experience gained from having worked in industry. Combining practice and theory has helped me improve my understanding of both and has positioned me to continue learning while performing research and development in my chosen field.

Career Timeline
  • Westinghouse Electric Company
  • Knoll’s Atomic Power Laboratory
  • University of Michigan
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
Advice to Students

Be curious, be interested, be proactive, be well rounded, and guide your own career in a fulfilling and impactful direction.

Kaitlyn Barr

Kaitlyn Barr

  • GE Hitachi
  • Transient Analysis Engineer

B.S.E in NERS (2021) and M.S.E in NERS (2022)

Career Summary
My time at Michigan has prepared me very well for the start of my career. I worked with Professor Downar performing research on advanced reactors starting as a freshman and continuing until I graduated with my Master’s. This experience directly contributed to me obtaining my first position after graduation performing design and analysis for a Gen IV reactor. Now, I am applying those same skills that I learned in his research group to perform transient analysis on operating BWRs and perform safety analysis for the Natrium reactor. These two aspects of my work are very different, but my time at Michigan juggling many classes and different projects at once prepared me well. It’s very exciting that my work directly contributes to licensing efforts for different plants, and I am learning a lot by working on both “traditional” nuclear and advanced nuclear. Moreover, skills such as knowing how to find information, scripting, and ensuring that my results make sense with the reactor physics, all of which I developed during my time as Michigan, have been essential in my career so far. I am excited for what lies ahead, and I know my experience at Michigan has prepared me well for anything I may face in the future!

Reflection on Time Spent U-M
Professor Downar was instrumental in setting me on the path I’m on today since he took me on as a student in his research group. He also provided the best quotes for advice! Dr. Volkan Seker, Dr. Andy Ward, and Professor Kochunas were all incredible mentors that I met through my work in Professor Downar’s group, and I still rely on their advice today. I greatly appreciate that they are all willing to continue to provide help and guidance, even after I graduated. Professor Allen was also an incredible resource, and he has done so much work to support the students in the NERS department, including myself. Of course, we couldn’t do it without the support of Michelle, our fearless advisor. I also greatly appreciated all of my friends from my time at Michigan who helped me with class work and made extracurricular activities like ANS super fun. The people that I met from my time in NERS became and remain some of my closest friends and career mentors today, and for that, I am extremely grateful.

Favorite Student Orgs
I was the Elementary Outreach Officer for SWE and a member of the American Nuclear Society. I greatly enjoyed my work as an outreach officer because I was able to inspire a love of engineering in young children by hosting a day of engineering activities each semester and doing classroom visits throughout the year. It was so fun to see their creativity and joy, and I made sure to introduce nuclear engineering activities to them as well since children aren’t often exposed to nuclear engineering concepts in school. It was so fun!

Favorite Classes
NERS 250 with Professor Wehe was a fun and informative introduction to NERS. Then, NERS 311 and NERS 320 served as very important bonding experiences for our class. These classes were very difficult, but we were able to really get to know each other for the first time and support each other, which made the classes that much more fun and approachable. Despite the challenges posed by COVID, our class remained very close during NERS 441, which was great because that might have been the most challenging of them all. Despite the difficulty, I really enjoyed NERS 441, which was Reactor Theory, because I learned much more about the theoretical basis for the research work I had been doing for the past few years than I had known previously. It was exciting to have this additional context for my work, and the fundamentals that I learned in this class ultimately served as the basis for my Master’s research, which was awesome!

Advice to Students
The most important advice I have for students at Michigan currently is to not stress out about what is coming next. The rigor of the coursework and the wealth of opportunities at Michigan will prepare you very well for a variety of career options. Don’t let worrying about the future take away from the exciting times you’re in and the amazing people that you are with now.

River Bennett

River Bennett

Career Summary
At NERS I experienced both a commitment to fundamental nuclear engineering subjects and excitement around innovative topics that are transforming the field today. This allowed me to build up foundational STEM skills while exploring new concepts in Community and Stakeholder Engagement, which required flexibility from my advisor Dr. Todd Allen and professors across multiple departments. The support I was shown throughout this process gave me the confidence to take on my current role as a nuclear engineer for Radiant, a Los Angeles-based advanced reactor startup. Today, my work requires a firm grasp of the fundamentals as well as constant adaptability to new challenges. NERS helped me to merge these skillsets and continues to ground me on my current path.

Reflection on Time Spent UM
NERS is a small community of undergrads, grads, and professors and I appreciate that there are few barriers between these groups. As an MSE student I made friends with other graduate students, had constant access to professors, and learned from the undergrads who I consistently found highly curious and motivated. I also feel lucky to have had Dr. Todd Allen as a graduate advisor. Beyond being an inspiring educator, he is an important voice in the nuclear energy sector today and throughout my research he provided valuable perspective on where my work fit into the larger discipline.

Favorite Student Orgs
Outside of class I DJ’d for the student radio station WCBN-FM, which broadcasts throughout Ann Arbor and beyond Washtenaw County. It was exciting to contribute to this student-staffed institution committed to free-form radio.

Favorite Classes
Some of my favorite courses were Professor Pozzi’s "New Scintillators" and "Nuclear Safeguards" courses because of how they tied together hands-on nuclear instrumentation labs with innovations taking place in detection and nonproliferation. The courses within NERS are challenging but from my experience the professors make themselves available to help and classmates are generally willing to work together to understand concepts.


Advice to Students
My advice to students is to focus early on understanding what your individual learning style is: there is an increasing number of ways to digest and internalize knowledge and optimizing this highly-personal process pays dividends down the road. Additionally, students should not hesitate to ask questions or work together to understand concepts. Engineers pride themselves on the ability to work through problems alone and while it is essential that they grasp the fundamentals, my professional experience has shown me the importance of teamwork when tackling complex nuclear engineering problems. To this second point, there is a story that I love to share about Admiral Hyman G. Rickover as told in Theodore Rockwell’s first-hand biography titled “The Rickover Effect: How One Man Made A Difference”. At the beginning of the Atomic Age, Oak Ridge National Lab hosted some of the first courses on atomic science for individuals from select industrial and research organizations. During one particular quantum mechanics lecture, Admiral Rickover (Captain at the time) became the object of impatience from classmates when he repeatedly asked the professor to clarify concepts. The professor condescendingly suggested they schedule an evening tutoring session, which drew chuckles from the class. Admiral Rickover promptly agreed. Rockwell chose to attend the tutoring session as well and upon his arrival was surprised to see a good portion of the class in attendance. Noticing the author’s startled look, Admiral Rickover announced to the class, “I guess I'm not the only dummy in the class. Just the only one with the guts to admit it.”

Career Summary
At NERS I experienced both a commitment to fundamental nuclear engineering subjects and excitement around innovative topics that are transforming the field today. This allowed me to build up foundational STEM skills while exploring new concepts in Community and Stakeholder Engagement, which required flexibility from my advisor Dr. Todd Allen and professors across multiple departments. The support I was shown throughout this process gave me the confidence to take on my current role as a nuclear engineer for Radiant, a Los Angeles-based advanced reactor startup. Today, my work requires a firm grasp of the fundamentals as well as constant adaptability to new challenges. NERS helped me to merge these skillsets and continues to ground me on my current path.

Reflection on Time Spent UM
NERS is a small community of undergrads, grads, and professors and I appreciate that there are few barriers between these groups. As an MSE student, I made friends with other graduate students, had constant access to professors, and learned from the undergrads who I consistently found highly curious and motivated. I also feel lucky to have had Dr. Todd Allen as a graduate advisor. Beyond being an inspiring educator, he is an important voice in the nuclear energy sector today and throughout my research, he provided valuable perspective on where my work fits into the larger discipline.

Favorite Student Orgs
Outside of class I DJ’d for the student radio station WCBN-FM, which broadcasts throughout Ann Arbor and beyond Washtenaw County. It was exciting to contribute to this student-staffed institution committed to free-form radio.

Favorite Classes
Some of my favorite courses were Professor Pozzi’s “New Scintillators” and “Nuclear Safeguards” courses because of how they tied together hands-on nuclear instrumentation labs with innovations taking place in detection and nonproliferation. The courses within NERS are challenging but from my experience, the professors make themselves available to help and classmates are generally willing to work together to understand concepts.

Advice to Students
My advice to students is to focus early on understanding what their individual learning style is: there is an increasing number of ways to digest and internalize knowledge and optimizing this highly-personal process pays dividends down the road. Additionally, students should not hesitate to ask questions or work together to understand concepts. Engineers pride themselves on the ability to work through problems alone and while it is essential that they grasp the fundamentals, my professional experience has shown me the importance of teamwork when tackling complex nuclear engineering problems. To this second point, there is a story that I love to share about Admiral Hyman G. Rickover as told in Theodore Rockwell’s first-hand biography titled “The Rickover Effect: How One Man Made A Difference”. At the beginning of the Atomic Age, Oak Ridge National Lab hosted some of the first courses on atomic science for individuals from select industrial and research organizations. During one particular quantum mechanics lecture, Admiral Rickover (Captain at the time) became the object of impatience from classmates when he repeatedly asked the professor to clarify concepts. The professor condescendingly suggested they schedule an evening tutoring session, which drew chuckles from the class. Admiral Rickover promptly agreed. Rockwell chose to attend the tutoring session as well and upon his arrival was surprised to see a good portion of the class in attendance. Noticing the author’s startled look, Admiral Rickover announced to the class, “I guess I’m not the only dummy in the class. Just the only one with the guts to admit it.”

Annie Kritchner

Annie Kritcher

  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
  • Group and Team Lead

UM, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, BS 2005, UC Berkeley Nuclear Engineering, MS 2007, and PhD 2009

Career Summary
I am the integrated modeling team lead within the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) program and the lead designer on Hybrid-E experiments, which recently achieved >3 MJ fusion yield and first ever fusion target gain in a laboratory. In addition, I am a group leader within the design physics division line organization. In 2004 I was employed at the Lab as a summer intern, then as an LLNL Lawrence Scholar from 2005-2009 during my thesis at UC Berkeley, as a Lawrence postdoctoral fellow in 2009 following completion of my Ph.D, then as a member of technical staff in 2012. At LLNL I started out in experimental physics measuring the plasma conditions of high energy density matter and studying nuclear plasma interactionsm and then transitioned to design staff during my career appointment, where I designed the first fusion ignition and target gain experiment ever achieved in a laboratory. I recieved the John Dawson award for my work in creating a burning plasma in 2022. As a fellow of the APS I was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.

During my time at Michigan I expanded my technical knowledge broadly across the engineering disciplines and dove deeper into the many focus areas of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences. I obtained my first “lab” experience and participated in projects which eventually led me to become interested in fusion research.

Through my connections at the University of Michigan I spent a summer internship at LLNL in nuclear physics where I became interested in working at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to study inertial confinement fusion. This drove me to graduate school at UC Berkeley and completing my thesis work at LLNL. I remained at LLNL after that for a postdoc, eventually transitioning to staff scientist.

If it was not for U of M setting me on this career path, I may not be working at the NIF, LLNL doing fusion experiments/design today!

Reflection on Time Spent UM
I really enjoyed the team spirit both inside and outside of the department, hang-outs with the NERS crowd on campus, tailgating before football games with my roomies.

Favorite Student Orgs
My favorite was the American Nuclear Society!

Favorite Classes
I enjoyed all of the classes I took in NERS, health science, reactor modeling, detectors…the thing I like about NERS is the range of focus areas that are pretty different.

Advice to Students
Don’t ever give up, learn from your failures, and don’t get discouraged! Choose a path that lets you do what you love, it will never feel like work.

Michael Hua

  • Helion Energy
  • Director, Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science

B.S.E. (2018), M.S.E. (2020), Ph.D. (2021) in UM NERS

Career Summary
I went to Michigan knowing I was going to study nuclear and math. I initially wanted to pursue fusion and began doing research on the LTD Z-pinch machine in the Plasma, Pulsed Power, and Microwave Laboratory for course credit. When I began to look at options for research over the summer, opportunities took me in the direction of neutron detection in the Detection for Nuclear Nonproliferation Group (DNNG) and Consortium for Verification Technology. I went on to transition from fusion and plasmas to neutron detection for the rest of undergrad, conducting quite a bit of research for course credit.

The summer between undergrad and grad school, I interned at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and began to focus on neutron noise techniques; this research would become the foundation of my thesis. I stayed in the DNNG at Michigan for grad school as a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow and an associate of the Consortium for Monitoring, Technology, and Verification. In addition to research, I taught courses every semester, including serving as the primary instructor for NERS 211 (nuclear engineering for non-nuclear engineers) and developing the senior design courses. I was also able to accelerate my research by investing in and mentoring undergraduate and masters students, peaking at 11 mentees my second year.

As I finished up my thesis, I earned the LANL Frederick Reines Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship, but I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take a risk and pursue the intersection of my passion and expertise in the industry. I joined Helion Energy, a fusion energy startup based near Seattle, as the 37th employee to work on neutron diagnostics for our fusion generator prototypes. After my first year, I started to build the Radiation Safety and Nuclear Science (RaSNS) team and hired my first employee. A year after that, I became the Director of RaSNS and the team had grown to five employees representing the four main facets of RaSNS: (i) radiation safety and regulatory affairs, (ii) nuclear engineering (e.g., diagnostics and neutronics), (iii) fuel cycle engineering (chemical engineering for isotope separation), and (iv) materials engineering. A year later (and as I write this in January 2024), Helion has approximately 225 employees and the RaSNS team is 12 strong with plans to double again this year.

Favorite Student Org(s)
There is tremendous value in joining student organizations and taking leadership roles! I was part of many, including the American Nuclear Society.

Advice to Students
The six-factor formula is the same at any university or out of any textbook. The Michigan difference is the opportunities to build a network of leaders and best, and leverage access to world-class research. Befriend your classmates, learn about your instructors, ask advice of more senior students, and continually build your circles. Undergrads – take multiple semesters of research credit (NERS 499).

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