Dr. Rachel Slaybaugh
Assistant Professor
Department of Nuclear Engineering
University of California, Berkeley

Abstract

We need innovation in nuclear science and engineering to enable new (and maintain existing) reactors, enhance nuclear security, and improve nuclear science. To truly enable breakthroughs by investigating new ideas rapidly, we need accurate simulation and appropriate research tools. This talk will cover some examples of work Prof. Slaybaugh has done and is doing in computational methods for neutron transport focused toward this goal. This talk will highlight optimization methods for technical nuclear forensics, hybrid methods for problems with streaming features, acceleration methods for large reactor problems, and a research platform for investigating finite element methods.

Biography

Rachel Slaybaugh is an Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Prof. Slaybaugh researches computational methods applied to nuclear reactors, nuclear non-proliferation and security, and shielding. Slaybaugh is currently serving as a Program Director at ARPA-E. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Breakthrough Institute and at the Berkeley Institute of Data Science.

Prof. Slaybaugh received a BS in Nuclear Engineering from Penn State, where she served as a licensed nuclear reactor operator, and a PhD from University of Wisconsin–Madison in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics with a certificate in Energy Analysis and Policy.  Slaybaugh’s Rickover Fellowship took her to Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory prior to joining Berkeley.

***This seminar will be streamed live on our NCStateNuclear YouTube channel***