Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences

10/21/2026

Congratulations to NERS Associate Professor Kyle Hartig on being named a Michigan Impact Professor.

The appointment is part of the University of Michigan’s Look to Michigan Faculty Expansion Program, which supports exceptional faculty whose research addresses pressing societal challenges.

Hartig, who joined NERS at the start of this academic year, brings expertise in nuclear security, radiation detection, nuclear forensics, and nuclear nonproliferation. His research advances sensing and analytical technologies to detect and characterize nuclear materials, identify signatures of proliferation activities, and detect and characterize nuclear detonations, strengthening national security, nuclear forensics, and nonproliferation efforts.

The NERS associate professor was recognized through U-M’s Look to Michigan Faculty Expansion Program, which supports research addressing critical societal challenges.

10/20/2026

Congratulations to NERS alumna Andrea (Annie) Kritcher, recipient of a 2026 DOE Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award!

Kritcher was recognized for her groundbreaking contributions to fusion science, including helping achieve the first-ever laboratory demonstration of fusion ignition.

The NERS alumna was recognized for her pioneering contributions to fusion science, including her leadership in achieving the first-ever laboratory demonstration of fusion ignition.

10/16/2026

Congratulations to NERS Professor Scott Baalrud, who has been named a Fellow of the American Physical Society!

Baalrud was recognized for fundamental advancements in the kinetic theory of plasmas, including warm dense matter, strongly magnetized plasmas, and low-temperature plasmas.

The NERS professor was recognized for fundamental advancements in the kinetic theory of plasmas.

10/16/2026

Scenes from the new mural panel unveiling! Stop by the tunnel between Phoenix and Cooley to check it out. Thank you to the artist Devin Wright, the NERS 250 students who helped create the mural, Dean Mingyan Liu, Todd Allen, and the students who helped paint.

10/15/2026

A $2 million investment in Michigan's nuclear future!

The State of Michigan has awarded NERS $2 million to expand nuclear workforce training, supporting new educational pathways and preparing hundreds of students for careers in nuclear energy.

Led at U-M by NERS Professor Todd Allen, the initiative builds on a major federal workforce development partnership.

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The state investment builds on a major federal workforce initiative, supporting new educational pathways and preparing hundreds of students for careers in nuclear energy.

10/15/2026

Autumn in Michigan calls for donuts, c***r, and a traditional ride in cow barrels pulled by a tractor. Our Women in Nuclear Chapter took a trip out to the c***r mill this weekend! Avery, Lily, Zu Zu, Madison, Elyse, and Jazmin are pictured.

10/14/2026

Congratulations to NERS Professor Todd Allen, who received an Excellence in Arts Partnership Award from the University of Michigan Arts Initiative! Allen was recognized for his leadership in bringing the arts into nuclear engineering education and fostering collaboration across disciplines at U-M.

The NERS professor was honored for his leadership in integrating the arts into nuclear engineering education and for building collaborations across campus.

10/14/2026

A new chapter for NERS graduate student leadership.

The NERS Graduate Student Council (GSC) has officially adopted a new constitution, marking an important milestone in the representation of our graduate students within the department. Today, GSC President and NERS PhD Candidate Sebastian Javier Lecha signed the constitution into effect with NERS Interim Chair Xiaodong Sun.

If you’re interested in joining the GSC or learning more about the group or the changes to the constitution, get in touch with Lecha.

Congratulations to the GSC on this achievement!

10/14/2026

The University of Michigan Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (NERS) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the assistant, associate, or full professor level.

We welcome applicants across nuclear engineering and related fields, with particular interest in expertise in:
—Reactor thermal hydraulics
—Radiation detection
—Nuclear materials and fuel cycles

Applications received by November 30, 2026, will receive priority consideration.

Learn more and apply: https://myumi.ch/5w58M

Please share this opportunity with qualified candidates and your professional networks.

10/06/2026

Congratulations to NERS PhD pre-candidate Fraser Dougall on receiving the Intern Thunderbird Award from Sandia National Laboratories!

The award recognizes student interns who demonstrate excellence, integrity, and dedication to advancing Sandia's mission. A second-year PhD pre-candidate advised by Brendan Kochunas, Fraser began his internship at Sandia in May 2024, initially working in nuclear deterrence before transitioning to Energy Security. He currently works within Sandia's Integrated Security Solutions Division in the Homeland Security & Defense Systems Department.

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The NERS PhD pre-candidate was recognized for his contributions to Sandia National Laboratories and his dedication to advancing its mission.