Missouri S&T Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

09/16/2026

From design to construction, the Nuclear Science Design Team (NSDT) is making an impact at MSTR, the Missouri S&T Nuclear Reactor.

The team is working on two new systems that will expand the reactor’s research capabilities while giving students hands-on experience designing technology for real-world applications.

Read the full story to learn more: https://news.mst.edu/research/missouri-st-students-design-technology-for-universitys-nuclear-reactor/

09/15/2026

This past Friday our student organizations had a great time participating in Minerama 2026 and connecting with fellow Miners! These organizations include the Nuclear Science Design Team (NSDT) and S&T student chapters of American Nuclear Society (ANS) and Women in Nuclear (WiN).

We’re proud to see our students representing our department and building a strong, engaged nuclear science community on campus!

Learn more: https://nuclear.mst.edu/studentopportunities/student-organizations-honor-societies/

09/14/2026

Another wonderful Missouri State Fair is in the books!

We had a great time connecting with fairgoers and sharing the science behind nuclear engineering through hands-on demonstrations. Our team used a mousetrap and ping-pong ball demonstration to visualize a nuclear chain reaction, while cloud chambers gave visitors the opportunity to see the paths of ionizing radiation in real time.

It was a great opportunity to make nuclear science more approachable, answer questions, and show visitors just how fascinating the field of nuclear engineering can be.

09/09/2026

We’re Hiring!

We are seeking an experienced nuclear engineering leader to serve as Managing Director for the Missouri Powerplex.

This is a unique opportunity to help lead a major nuclear energy project. This role involves providing technical direction, advancing nuclear safety, coordinating with industry and regulatory partners, and helping bring the Powerplex from development to ex*****on.

Interested in helping shape the future of nuclear energy at Missouri S&T?

Learn more and apply today!
https://hr.mst.edu/careers/searches/powerplexmanagingdirector/

08/25/2026

Please join us in welcoming two new members to our faculty!

Dr. Meral Sharkass earned her Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from Penn State, where her research focused on plasma-facing materials for fusion energy, with an emphasis on tungsten surface interactions and hydrogen isotope retention using atomistic simulations. Passionate about engineering education, she is committed to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment.

Dr. Azhar Malik earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from The University of Tokyo and brings 18 years of teaching experience from the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences. His research focuses on radiation interaction and detection, radiological engineering, radiation shielding designs, Monte Carlo simulations, nuclear electronics, and optics. Dr. Malik has supervised the Research Thesis of 5 PhD students, more than 35 MS and 7 BS students.

We are very excited to welcome Dr. Sharkass and Dr. Malik to our department and look forward to all they will bring to our students, programs, and community!

08/18/2026

We’re proud to congratulate Drew Barringhaus, a Missouri S&T nuclear engineering graduate, on receiving Pi Kappa Alpha’s Robertson Most Outstanding Undergraduate Award. This award is the fraternity’s highest honor for a graduating senior.

Drew’s leadership helped transform the Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter at Missouri S&T which was named the Chapter House of the Year for the third time in its 120-year history! During his time as an officer, he helped address more than $200,000 in outstanding chapter dues and oversaw significant improvements to the chapter house totaling nearly $1.4 million. Additionally, he helped lead the S&T chapter to renewed recognition across Pi Kappa Alpha.

His accomplishments extend well beyond the fraternity. Drew graduated summa cm laude and earned recognition as the top scholar in his graduating class of nuclear engineers by the Mines & Metallurgy Academy. He has also held leadership roles in the American Nuclear Society and Alpha Nu Sigma Honor Society. He is establishing the Barringhaus Nuclear Leadership Scholarship to support future students entering the nuclear industry.

Congratulations, Drew, on a remarkable achievement and an outstanding career at Missouri S&T!

The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity

08/10/2026

Join us Saturday, December 5, 2026, as we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Missouri S&T Reactor (MSTR), the first nuclear reactor to reach criticality in the state of Missouri.

This special celebration will bring together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to reflect on six and a half decades of research, education, and hands-on student experience at MSTR.

The day will feature keynote remarks, a very exciting announcement, student posters, guided reactor tours, a commemorative photo, and an anniversary banquet as we celebrate MSTR’s remarkable legacy and future.

RSVP at: https://massemail.mst.edu/l/BFHtCUfZltXt75ddqlnIyg/8FuxNwayqPTO892elwOXTPZQ/nqG06pVmljx6JQPfoDOQcg

📅 December 5, 2026
⏰️ Registration: 8:30am
📍 Missouri S&T Innovation Center to start
📝 RSVP by November 5, 2026

Find more information at our website: https://sites.mst.edu/mstr65/

07/02/2026

Another successful Nuclear Engineering Summer Camp is in the books!

This summer, from June 7th to the 12th, 40 high school students from across the country spent a week on campus exploring the many applications of nuclear engineering through hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations and conversations with faculty, students and industry professionals. One of the week's biggest highlights was the opportunity to operate Missouri S&T's research reactor. This is an experience few high school students, or even adults, ever get!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's camp a success. We loved sharing our passion for nuclear engineering with the next generation of innovators and hope to see many of these students back on campus in the future!

Want to learn more or join us next year? Visit nuclear.mst.edu/summercamp

06/06/2026

We were honored to welcome our visiting Golden Alumni back to the NERS Department!

The Golden Alumni Reunion celebrates the 50-year anniversary of graduation from MSM/UMR (today, Missouri S&T). Alumni return to campus to reconnect with classmates, tour campus, and learn about the exciting things happening at Missouri S&T today. The celebration concludes with a Recognition Ceremony where each graduate receives a 50-year pin and Golden certificate.

Thank you to Harold “Skip” Garner, Richard and Kathy Lickett, and Sam Wier for visiting with us and continuing to support the NERS community. We loved having you back on campus!

05/29/2026

Congrats Maxwell!

When Milena Lynn Gessert crossed the commencement stage at Missouri S&T earlier this month, she was likely one of the youngest participants in university history.