UF Nuclear Engineering Program

Ira Harkness is Shaping the Future of Nuclear Energy

As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, the University of Florida Training Reactor is emerging as a cornerstone for nuclear education, research and outreach.

Nuclear Engineering at UF

At the University of Florida, we’re developing the next generation of nuclear engineering leaders by performing high-impact research and providing exceptional educational programs. We build on our unique strength as a department by combining the disciplines of both nuclear engineering and materials science and engineering to benefit society locally, nationally and globally.

Faculty Research Areas

Research Facilities

Why Nuclear Engineering at UF?

Nuclear Engineering Faculty

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Michael Tonks

Interim Department Chair, Professor, Alumni Professor of Materials Science & Engineering

Affiliations Ceramics, Computational Materials Science, Department Chair, Faculty, Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence, Materials Science and Engineering, Metals, Modeling and Simulation, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Fuels and Materials

Materials Science & Engineering / Nuclear Engineering

Work 100B Rhines Hall Work Phone: (352) 846-3779 Work Email: michael.tonks@ufl.edu Website: Tonks Research Group

Biography

Ph.D., 2008, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests: Computational materials science, Computational mechanics, Coevolution of microstructure and properties, Materials in Harsh Environments, Mesoscale modeling and simulation, Nuclear materials, Numerical methods

Lab Website: Tonks Research Group

Notes

Researchgate
LinkedIn
GoogleScholar
Github

Experience

2021 – Present: Professor and Alumni Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida
2017 – 2021: Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Florida
2015 – 2017: Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at Pennsylvania State University
2013 – 2015: Leader of the Microstructure Science and Engineering group at Idaho National Laboratory
2009 – 2013: Staff scientist at Idaho National Laboratory
2008 – 2009: Postdoctoral researcher at Idaho National Laboratory

Honors and Awards

2022: TMS Brimacombe Medalist
2020: University of Florida, Department of Materials Science Faculty Excellence Award
2019: Acta Materialia Outstanding Reviewer Award
2019: University of Florida, Department of Materials Science Faculty Excellence Award
2017: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
2015: ANS Materials Science and Technology Division: Special Achievement Award
2014: INL Early Career Exceptional Achievement Award
2014: TMS SMD Young Leader Professional Development Award
2014: US DOE NE Advanced Modeling and Simulation Program Excellence Award

Nuclear Engineering Progam News