Nuclear engineering is a valuable college major, according to a recent study of 162 degrees. But as the nuclear workforce in the United States is aging, graduate student enrollment in traditional nuclear science and engineering disciplines in universities is also rapidly declining.
That’s why the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) was recently awarded $400,000 from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to facilitate graduate student success in nuclear science and engineering.
According to UTEP, the four-year grant will fund multiple NRC Fellowships to UTEP students to participate in nuclear energy research at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory. The UTEP NRC Fellows will spend time in these national labs to gain research experience through projects related to nuclear materials.
The UTEP team also will use the grant to study novel materials that can withstand extreme environments, like high temperatures and pressure, corrosive atmospheres and high-intensity radiation, which are typical in nuclear reactors.
“Dr. Chintalapalle has done a remarkable job building a strong program in extreme materials for national need and security,” said Theresa Maldonado, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering at UTEP in a statement. “His collaboration with Dr. Nazarian creates a solid collaboration that will lead to important research outcomes. In addition, both of these faculty have a sustained record of excellent mentoring and advising of graduate and undergraduate students.”
Chintalapalle said the nuclear industry is facing a rapidly diminishing workforce. While the nuclear workforce is aging, the graduate student enrollment in traditional nuclear science and engineering disciplines in universities is also rapidly declining.
“This project is intended to create NRC Fellowship opportunities for our UTEP graduates to become successful in the topical area of nuclear materials,” Chintalapalle said. “The NRC fellowship will help alleviate some of the major emerging energy needs of the nation in a safe manner.”
In related news, the University of Texas at El Paso Nuclear Engineering Workforce Program was awarded a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop the workforce needed for the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials.
The university said in a statement that the grant will provide scholarships of up to $10,000 per year to a cohort of undergraduate students. These students will have the opportunity to participate in a multi-faceted program that will prepare them for careers in the nuclear industry. The program includes nuclear engineering courses, as well as learning and research experiences at UTEP and nuclear energy-related facilities.
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