A nuclear education

From Rebel Yell: A nuclear education
Harry Reid Center highlights importance of its research, studies

An event sponsored by the College of Sciences and the Harry Reid Center highlighted the importance of nuclear studies.

“All Things Nuclear” at UNLV looked to show students the opportunities that nuclear programs at UNLV have to offer after they finish their undergraduate education. The event included a special guest appearance from IndyCar driver Simona De Silvestre, driver of the Entergy Nuclear car and recipient of the 2010 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year Award.

“We have several different disciplines that are involved in doing research that has nuclear applications,” said Dawn Barlow-Curtis, Director of Communications and Special Events at the College of Engineering. “I think that the majority of the student body here at UNLV really isn’t even aware of these various programs within the College of Sciences and the College of Engineering.”

To help students increase their knowledge on the topic, UNLV teamed up with Entergy Nuclear, a company that produces nuclear, clean air electricity in an attempt to expose students to the value of the nuclear programs the university offers.

“When I was approached by Entergy Nuclear [and they told me] they really wanted to come and talk to students about the importance of needing future engineers and scientists in this area … I thought what a great opportunity [this would be] to bring attention to these different programs,” Barlow-Curtis said.

The graduates’ nuclear program at UNLV is a growing and robust field of study in need of more exposure to the rest of the student body on campus, said John Herron, CEO of Entergy Nuclear.

However, Barlow-Curtis said these nuclear programs are not yet available to undergraduate students.

“We do not have an undergraduate program in nuclear engineering,” she said. “But we do have it available as a Ph.D. and a master’s degree.”
Barlow-Curtis said that graduate students from the College of Sciences were invited to discuss related topics, such as health physics, in hopes of introducing these programs to students and getting them more involved in these fields of study.

Representatives at the Harry Reid Center also found an interest in the importance of UNLV’s nuclear programs on campus.

“I think that this is a growing program in nuclear areas,” said Leader of NSTD National Security Group at the Harry Reid Center Steven Curtis. “There is a huge amount of radio chemistry going on right now, which is about the biggest program in the country.”

Curtis added that the Health Physics Department has been going for over 10 years and has a robust program.

He emphasized the economic stimulation that nuclear programs could bring to the country’s economy if only more attention were brought to them.

Curtis said that nuclear programs are of high importance in the state of Nevada and largely deserve more exposure not only at the college level, but from the U.S. as a whole.

“It is [vital] for students here at UNLV to know how important nuclear studies are in our country and the kinds of different aspects of [nuclear studies] that are important to the economy and national security,” Curtis said.

Despite the current lack of enthusiasm on the topic of nuclear studies, Curtis said he remains hopeful of its eventual success.

“I think there is a great deal of opportunities available in all things nuclear that Nevada, particularly Southern Nevada can capitalize on but hasn’t yet,” he said. “Personally, I would like to see that become a part of our economy.”