K-State students to continue nuclear research, education with awards from US Department of Energy

University Nuclear Leadership Program recognizes and supports nuclear engineering students.

Five Kansas State University students in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering will continue nuclear engineering research and education with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy's University Nuclear Leadership Program.

Two students — Aiden Bourman and Ashleigh Mauler — received $175,000 graduate fellowships, and three undergraduate students — Cade Ahrenholtz, Landon Barner and Stephen Warne — received $10,000 scholarships.

These students, all in the Alan Levin Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, are on their way to becoming next-generation leaders in the nationally important field of nuclear engineering.

"The University Nuclear Leadership Program is an invaluable partner in supporting the next generation of engineers that will lead the way in nuclear science for years to come," said Amir Bahadori, professor and nuclear engineering program director. "We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Energy for continuing to invest in our students, and I know these awardees will go on to do great things for the nuclear engineering community in the future."

Graduate students receive tuition stipend, research travel allowance and internship opportunities

Bourman, doctoral student in nuclear engineering, Bonner Springs, and Mauler, master's student in nuclear engineering, Wichita, each received a University Nuclear Leadership Program graduate fellowship of $175,000 to be dispersed over a three-year period.

In addition to an annual stipend with money for tuition and other educational costs, the fellowship includes an annual research travel allowance and a one-time allowance to cover the costs of a required 10-week internship.

Bourman, who is an officer in the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, has worked on a project developing, simulating and testing high-temperature neutron sensors designed for in-core measurements for advanced nuclear reactors.

"This award will fund the next three years of my graduate studies, allowing me to continue my research at K-State," he said. "To be selected as a fellow is an immense honor."

Moving forward, Bourman's research will focus on simulating phenomena that result from models for gas-filled detectors breaking down at high temperatures.

Mauler's current research focuses on computational phantoms and modeling. She has worked on modeling a medical linear accelerator with computational phantoms and using benchmarking calculations with thermoluminescent dosimeters.

Thanks to the fellowship, she and Bourman will be able to continue their research, including through potential research-related travel, and complete internships with DOE-sponsored organizations to continue the hands-on experience that will prepare them for the nuclear engineering field.

Undergraduate nuclear leaders can focus on education, research thanks to Department of Energy scholarships

The undergraduate University Nuclear Leadership Program scholarship recipients — Ahrenholtz, senior, Omaha, Nebraska; Barner, junior, Liberty, Missouri; and Warne, senior, Richmond, Minnesota — each received $10,000 scholarships so they can continue their education and research in K-State's nuclear engineering program.

"K-State has given me amazing opportunities to be involved in the nuclear field with amazing professors and connections to industry and research," Ahrenholtz said.

He is currently conducting research with Arsen Iskhakov and Anna Iskhakova to explore codes that will help develop multiphase flow calculation capabilities in NekRS, a software for computational fluid dynamics.

Beyond mentorship from top-notch faculty members, K-State also provides unique opportunities to students through the TRIGA Mark II Nuclear Reactor Facility, which supports academic and education programs, research, industrial service and outreach. Students in the nuclear program utilize the reactor in two reactor operation laboratory classes, and as a neutron and gamma source for a radiation-detection course.

Warne, a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and the American Nuclear Society, is developing a radiation shield for Y-90 production at the TRIGA Mark II nuclear reactor.

As an out-of-state student, he said the scholarship funds will help cover tuition so he can focus on his education and research.

Barner said he is very passionate about nuclear engineering, which is why he applied for the scholarship.

"I have aspirations to pursue both undergraduate and graduate-level degrees in nuclear engineering," he said. "This scholarship allows me to get closer to achieving my goals by helping me pay for my tuition expenses and allowing me to put more time and effort into my success in the classroom, compared to having to work while in school to be able to afford the costs."

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