Category: News

An interim no more: Michael Tonks takes a seat as MSE’s new chair
May 19, 2026After a national search, Michael Tonks, Ph.D., will shed his “interim” title to become the next chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, known as MSE, and home to the Nuclear Engineering Program. Prior to serving as interim chair in August of 2024, he served for two years as the associate department chair. He has been […]
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How space-based sensors can detect nuclear activity
April 30, 2026Researchers at the University of Florida are developing advanced technologies to detect nuclear activity from space.
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Nuclear engineering doctoral student named Rickover Fellow
April 23, 2026Nuclear engineering doctoral student Rachel Rigsby recently became a fellow of the Rickover Fellowship Program in Nuclear Engineering, a program sponsored by the Naval Reactors Division of the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Back-to-back: UF Materials Bowl team snags another championship
April 3, 2026The University of Florida’s Materials Science and Engineering students claimed back-to-back victories at the 2026 TMS Materials Bowl, showcasing their expertise in materials science and the strength of their teamwork in a high-speed, trivia-style competition.
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Nuclear engineering alum named to UF’s 40 Under 40 list
April 2, 2026Jacob DeWitte, a UF nuclear engineering alum and CEO of Oklo Inc., was named to the 40 Under 40 list for his work developing innovative, small-scale nuclear reactors for clean, reliable energy.
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MSE alumnus, tech executive Jason Gibson makes Forbes 30 Under 30 list
April 2, 2026When Jason Gibson received his doctorate from the University of Florida’s Department of Materials Science & Engineering, or MSE, in 2024, it was the culmination of years of work at the intersection of superconductors and artificial intelligence. Perhaps it’s no surprise that he went on to co-found Quantum Formatics, a company focused on using AI to build reliable and manufacturable superconductors. His colleagues […]
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UF materials science professor earns National Early Career Award from TMS
March 31, 2026Ravit Silverstein, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Florida, received a national early career award from The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society. Her research focuses on designing stronger, more resilient materials for extreme environments using atomic-scale engineering and advanced microscopy techniques.
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UF researchers using machine learning to pursue fusion power
March 3, 2026University of Florida researchers are using machine learning on the HiPerGator supercomputer to tame the extreme plasma inside tokamaks. Their work aims to make fusion energy—a carbon-free, sun-powered source—safer and more attainable.
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Three UF nuclear engineering Ph.D. students earn international fellowship
February 18, 2026Enrique Medici and Hannah Patz were selected for the highly competitive Training in Radiological and International Nuclear Security (TRAINS) Fellowship, a program connecting top graduate students with leading institutions and national laboratories in the United States and Europe to advance nuclear security and nonproliferation efforts.
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Meet UF’s Nicholas Rudawski: YouTube star in electron microscopy education
January 27, 2026UF engineer and electron microscopy expert Nicholas Rudawski uses YouTube to help others learn to operate electron microscopes and understand electron microscopy concepts and fundamentals.
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