2016 UTRF intern, Chris Andrews, named a National Nuclear Security Administration’s Graduate Fellow
Nuclear Engineering Students Earn National Nuclear Security Administration Grants
Three UT nuclear engineering students have been selected for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Graduate Fellowship Program, one of the most exclusive paths afforded to budding nuclear engineers.
Chris Andrews, Don Miller, and Adam Stratz were chosen by the US Department of Energy from UT’s Tickle College of Engineering for the program, which provides full-time funding for the students while they participate in NNSA offices around the country.
“These selections serve to highlight the great education in nuclear engineering available at UT,” said Postelle Professor Wes Hines, who is also head of the department. “The strengthening of our program has led to an increase in our reputation in our field, which allows us to attract some of the top-notch students out there.
“Having three such students chosen for the NNSA fellowship program is confirmation of both our success and that of our students.”
The idea behind the program is to identify and encourage students who are seeking to work in the nuclear energy sector after graduation.
As part of those efforts, Andrews, Miller, and Stratz will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in some of the top labs in the country, to gain career development and specialized training, and to work with groundbreaking researchers and nuclear security professionals.
Andrews is part of the Rad Ideas Group at UT, while Miller and Stratz take part in UT’s Institute for Nuclear Security.
Hines noted that the experience prepares students for a wide array of future endeavors, pointing out that recent UT graduates in the program have gone on to work for the NNSA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and even the US Department of State.
The honors are just the latest positive news to come out of the Department of Nuclear Engineering, which has used a period of growth and collaboration to take a place among the best programs in the country in recent years.