The Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), developed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), offers fellowships and scholarships to nuclear science and engineering students who desire to advance nuclear power as a resource. Jadyn Reis ’20, a doctoral student in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University, was awarded a fellowship through the DOE to further her academic career.
“After hearing a TED Talk about nuclear engineering, I was interested in the niche that comes from a smaller field,” said Reis. “It seemed like the more I researched nuclear engineering, the better it became, and I found a passion for being part of the movement toward advanced nuclear power.”
Reis enjoys expanding her horizons and exceeding expectations, especially in academia. She finished her associate’s degree while still in high school. Although initially part of the class of 2021, she graduated a year early and began her doctoral studies.
“I decided to pursue engineering when I began the early college program,” she said. “I found it hard to focus while in classes that lacked challenges. I was always excited to find new solutions to math and science problems.”
A native of Houston, Reis was inspired to attend Texas A&M after discovering it had one of the most extensive nuclear engineering programs in the country. By choosing to be an Aggie, she was able to stay close to home and follow her desired degree path.
As a participant in the fellowship, she has determined her area of research, which focuses on strengthening predictive capabilities of heat transfer correlations in molten salt through experimental and computational data.
“Being a NEUP Fellow provides me with a network of like-minded people who share my passion and make me excited for the future of nuclear power,” said Reis.
Upon graduation, she plans to work in the nuclear engineering industry to design advanced reactors capable of bringing nuclear engineering into the future.
Reis is involved with the American Nuclear Society and conducts her graduate research in the Thermal Hydraulics Laboratory. She recently held an internship with TerraPower, gaining hands-on experience in fabricating nuclear reactors. In the upcoming year, Reis will have the chance to present her studies in Beijing, China, and Brussels, Belgium.