Nuclear engineering doctoral students Samara Levine and Tyler Steiner are the 2020 recipients of fellowships from the Graduate Advancement Training and Education (GATE) program hosted by The Science Alliance. A total of 20 recipients were awarded fellowships from a pool of 41 applicants.
GATE awardees receive a 12-month appointment including a $30,000 stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance.
Levine’s research is on radiation effects in oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys, forming the scientific basis for developing radiation-resistant ODS alloys for next generation fission and fusion energy systems.
“I’m grateful to the Science Alliance for supporting my work, which will contribute to the development of structural materials necessary for advanced nuclear reactors,” she said. “Fission and fusion technology are a necessary part of a clean energy future, and it’s exciting to be able to further the field with the help of this fellowship.”
Steiner’s research will continue the experimental work developed by scientists at ORNL that achieves high temperatures for both nuclear thermal propulsion and thermal radiation.
“I’m excited to continue to develop and implement this experiment in tests that advance the readiness of technology that can be used to help shorten the travel time to Mars and advance space travel,” he said. “I thank the Science Alliance for the opportunity to further my education with the fellowship.”
Fellows will be expected to perform ORNL affiliated research for the duration of the appointment. Additionally, students awarded fellowships are asked to participate in a research symposium hosted by The Science Alliance.