Category: Students

Built in 1959 and operating out of the Nuclear Engineering program in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, the UF training reactor is one of fewer than 30 reactors still operating in the United States. The college uses the reactor to train students in nuclear science and reactor operations, and in lab courses.

Meer Muhtasim Mahfuz, a senior majoring in materials science and engineering, has been awarded the highly competitive National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP).  While at UF, Mahfuz conducted research in the lab of Honggyu Kim, Ph.D., where he focused on the characterization of functional materials and semiconductor thin films using advanced transmission electron […]

Developed through a collaboration between the EQuIPD Grant at the University of Florida and Duke Energy, the Powering the Community (PTC) outreach program has expanded since its inception in 2022 to bring an artificial intelligence and power distribution contest to middle school students throughout the Duke Energy service area. Spun off from the annual Powering […]

The University of Florida recently took first place at the 2025 TMS Materials Bowl, held in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition.  The team—Brooke Lastinger, Adriana LaVopa, Morgan Congdon, and Alexander Johnstone, coached by Jack Mayer—competed against top undergraduate teams from across the country in a Jeopardy-style quiz covering metallurgy, ceramics, […]

As demand for cleaner energy grows, so does the need for sustainable battery technologies. At the University of Florida, Megan Butala, Ph.D., an assistant professor of materials science and engineering, is exploring a promising alternative to today’s lithium-ion batteries. Her research focuses on disordered rocksalt oxides (DRXs), which could reduce reliance on scarce and environmentally […]

The Consortium for Nuclear Forensics (CNF) recently held its first workshop, bringing together more than 100 attendees via livestream and in-person. The two-day event saw participants from 16 universities, seven national laboratories, and multiple government agencies and international collaborators, including the United Kingdom’s Atomic Weapons Establishment.  The workshop’s dynamic agenda featured presentations, networking opportunities, and […]

The fourth annual Powering the Community (PTC): High School AI Design Contest, sponsored by Duke Energy, concluded on November 20 with a Design Showcase at the University of Florida. The six-and-a-half-week contest, which began on October 4, brought together 70 high school students from Alachua, Marion, and Sumter counties to tackle real-world energy challenges.  Participants […]

Brooke Lastinger’s academic journey is a testament to the power of exploring new frontiers. An undergraduate student in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), Lastinger found her path through a combination of mentorship, research opportunities and following her passion. Her decision on a major was inspired by advice from two sources: her high […]

With immense pride and gratitude, we are honored to announce the establishment of the Brice Turner Memorial Fund, a lasting tribute to the memory of a remarkable individual whose commitment to academic excellence and leadership continues to inspire us all.  A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Turner‘s diverse interests in athletics, F1 racing, outdoor adventures, and […]