Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering at Illinois

Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering at Illinois The Department of Nuclear Engineering was established in 1958 as an inter-disciplinary program and was granted departmental status in 1986.

Its name was changed to the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering in 1999.

Meet the NPRE 100 freshman class!More than 70 students are enrolled in NPRE 100 this fall, including more than 60 NPRE s...
09/04/2026

Meet the NPRE 100 freshman class!

More than 70 students are enrolled in NPRE 100 this fall, including more than 60 NPRE students. They’re part of what may be the largest undergraduate enrollment in the department’s history.

It’s exciting to see so many students beginning their journey in nuclear, plasma and radiological engineering—and to think about where that journey may take them.

Among this group are future researchers pushing the boundaries of what we know, engineers tackling some of society’s biggest challenges, and leaders who will shape the future of industry and academia.

We can’t wait to see what they accomplish. ☢️🧡💙

Congratulations to Dr. Caleb Brooks, who has been named an Abel Bliss Professor in The Grainger College of Engineering!T...
09/02/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Caleb Brooks, who has been named an Abel Bliss Professor in The Grainger College of Engineering!

The appointment recognizes Brooks’ contributions to nuclear engineering, from advancing research in thermal hydraulics and multiphase flows to building multidisciplinary teams that address the challenges of deploying new nuclear technologies.

“This achievement is not possible without an incredible group of research staff, students, and collaborators, and I see it as recognition of what we have been able to do together,” Brooks said.

The professorship will help Brooks and his group pursue ambitious research, expand collaborations and create new opportunities for students preparing to lead the next generation of nuclear engineering.

Read more about the appointment and what Brooks hopes to accomplish next: https://npre.illinois.edu/news/stories/brooks-bliss

ICYMI: NPRE alum Aristidis Loumis (BS ’18) is headed to Capitol Hill! 🏛Loumis, who was recently named a 2027 Glenn T. Se...
08/29/2026

ICYMI: NPRE alum Aristidis Loumis (BS ’18) is headed to Capitol Hill! 🏛

Loumis, who was recently named a 2027 Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow, spoke with us about how their time at Illinois helped spark an interest in nuclear policy—and the experiences and mentors that helped shape the path they’re on today.

Their advice for current students? “Go where your curiosity and interests take you, not necessarily where you feel people are telling you to go.”

Read our Q&A with Aristidis: https://npre.illinois.edu/news/stories/loumis-fellow

International partnerships are taking Illinois NPRE research around the world. Professor Angela Di Fulvio and research s...
08/28/2026

International partnerships are taking Illinois NPRE research around the world.

Professor Angela Di Fulvio and research scientist Dr. Ming Fang recently traveled to South Korea, where they connected with academic and industry collaborators and participated in international symposia focused on radiation detection, nuclear measurement, safeguards and fuel management.

The trip follows a new global R&D award pairing Di Fulvio and Fang with Korean technology company NeosisKorea—creating new opportunities to turn international connections into collaborative research.

From Illinois to South Korea, NPRE researchers are building partnerships across universities, industries and borders. Full story: https://npre.illinois.edu/news/stories/difulvio-korea

Yesterday was pretty sweet. 🍦🧡NPRE joined our friends in Aerospace Engineering at The University of Illinois for a Welco...
08/25/2026

Yesterday was pretty sweet. 🍦🧡

NPRE joined our friends in Aerospace Engineering at The University of Illinois for a Welcome Back Ice Cream Social on the Talbot lawn, bringing students, faculty and staff together to kick off a new semester.

Between scoops from Main Street Creamery, it was a great afternoon to catch up after the summer, welcome new faces and spend some time with our neighbors in AE before the semester gets into full swing.

Thanks to everyone who joined us—and to AE for helping us start the year on such a sweet note!

Here’s to a great semester ahead. ⚛️🚀

Congratulations to NPRE alum Aristidis Loumis (BS ’18) on being named a 2027 Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and ...
08/24/2026

Congratulations to NPRE alum Aristidis Loumis (BS ’18) on being named a 2027 Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellow by the American Nuclear Society!

Currently pursuing their PhD at Virginia Commonwealth University, Loumis will head to Capitol Hill in January for a year working with Congress and bringing their nuclear engineering expertise to the policymaking process.

Congratulations, Aristidis! We’re proud to see where your Illinois NPRE education has taken you—and excited to see what comes next.

To our students, faculty, and staff: Welcome back to NPRE. Let's get to work.
08/24/2026

To our students, faculty, and staff: Welcome back to NPRE. Let's get to work.

A hearty welcome to all of our new graduate students! We're beyond thrilled to have you join our vibrant academic commun...
08/21/2026

A hearty welcome to all of our new graduate students! We're beyond thrilled to have you join our vibrant academic community here at NPRE, where you'll have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge research, collaborate with esteemed faculty and peers, and develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your field. We're happy to have you learning and growing here, and we're excited to see the incredible things you'll accomplish during your time with us! 🎉🎓

This summer, NPRE faculty, students and alumni have been making an impact across nuclear regulation, advanced reactor te...
08/19/2026

This summer, NPRE faculty, students and alumni have been making an impact across nuclear regulation, advanced reactor technology, artificial intelligence, energy policy, national security—and even outer space.

In the latest edition of NPRE News, explore how:

⚛️ SoTeRiA researchers are contributing to the national conversation around risk-informed nuclear regulation
🏗️ Illinois’ first-of-its-kind on-campus microreactor project reached a major NRC licensing milestone
🛰️ Angela Di Fulvio is bringing nuclear engineering expertise to questions of arms control and space security
💬 Ph.D. student Jacob Fritchie is making the case for nuclear energy in the clean-energy conversation
💻 Syed Bahauddin Alam is joining national leaders to tackle the computing challenges facing AI
⚓ Distinguished alumnus Eric Rozek has risen to Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy

From Urbana-Champaign to the world’s stage, see where NPRE is making an impact.

Read the August edition of NPRE News: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/95/304076695.html

What role could nuclear engineering play in keeping nuclear weapons out of space? NPRE associate professor Angela Di Ful...
08/12/2026

What role could nuclear engineering play in keeping nuclear weapons out of space?

NPRE associate professor Angela Di Fulvio explores that question in a recent "Nature" News & Views article examining a new approach to verifying compliance with the Outer Space Treaty.

The research, from MIT’s Areg Danagoulian, proposes using satellites equipped with neutron detectors to identify nuclear weapons in orbit through signals produced when cosmic radiation interacts with nuclear material. Di Fulvio also served as a peer reviewer of the original study.

It’s a fascinating example of nuclear engineering reaching beyond Earth—and contributing to the intersection of technology, arms control and space security.

Read Di Fulvio’s perspective in "Nature": https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01944-4

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Suite 100 Talbot Lab, MC 234, 104 S Wright Street
Urbana, IL
61801

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Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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