On Oct. 3rd 2024, NC State’s Nuclear Engineering Department (NED) held its inaugural Future Leaders of Nuclear: Undergraduate Symposium (FLN). This event recognizes exceptional undergraduate students and their research experiences in science and engineering fields related to nuclear engineering. Among the many competitive applications received, 10 finalists from across the country (Abilene Christine University, UC Berkeley, Texas Tech University, Idaho State University, University of Utah, MIT, University of Michigan, and NC State) were selected to attend the inaugural symposium at NC State. FLN finalists spent the day visiting NC State and presented their exciting undergraduate research during the poster symposium held in Talley Student Union. During their visit, FLN finalists toured NED laboratories, including the world-class PULSTAR reactor, and met with students and faculty members. As stated by a finalist,
“The poster symposium and time to meet the department faculty were the two best parts of the symposium. They really provided chances to get to know the nuclear engineering faculty better and discuss the possibilities of joining a lab for graduate school or talk about other opportunities in the nuclear field.”
The event founders and organizers, Profs. Alex Bataller and Benjamin Beeler, could not have been happier at the participation and turnout of the inaugural FLN. As commented by Prof. Bataller,
“We’re so very grateful for all those who applied and participated. The passion and professionalism displayed by the symposium finalists make it clear that the future of nuclear science and engineering is in very good hands!”
NC State Nuclear Engineering is a premier department with a rich tradition that they continue today. The graduate program is ranked 3rd by the US News and World Report, a distinction held for the last 6 years.