Noah Andersen
Mechanical & Materials Engineering
“I had a great time working with my professor over the summer developing new technologies for next generation nuclear reactors. Being able to work on campus in his lab was very convenient, and it had everything I needed and more. The tour of the Cooper Nuclear Station was a lot of fun as I was able to see in person how a nuclear reactor worked and apply that to my internship. I’d definitely recommend doing the NCESR summer internship as it has been very rewarding to see my impact in the future of all of Nebraska’s energy needs.”
Octavious Gonzalez
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
“The NCESR internship was an excellent opportunity for me to translate my academic skills into real world problem solving. I was able to take my previous knowledge in chemistry, electricity, and even programming to solve problems and inefficiencies in my project. We also had the opportunity to tour a nuclear power plant which is almost reason enough alone to apply for this internship. The experience of both the tour and the research was incredibly valuable for my academic and career goals. I was also able to present my work to demonstrate accountability and soft skills. This summer internship from NCESR is a highly recommended experience from me."
Tyson Klein
Electrical & Computer Engineering
“Signing up for the NCESR internship, I had no idea what to expect since this was my first time doing research. Looking back, I can confidently say I’m very glad I took the opportunity. With support from NCESR and NPPD, I was able to gain valuable experience and have a truly rewarding summer. One highlight was touring the Cooper Nuclear Station—an opportunity I wouldn’t have had otherwise. At the end of the program, I was able to present my research to faculty and other students, which was both challenging and exciting. This internship gave me the chance to develop skills you simply can’t learn in the classroom. If you are passionate about working on your own project, I would highly recommend this program. It’s a rare and rewarding opportunity that can make a big difference in your growth as a future engineer.”
Macey Moore
Microbiology and Forensic Science
“This internship was a phenomenal, well-rounded experience that I would highly recommend to any undergraduate with an interest in the energy sciences. Beyond just gaining more lab experience, the program uniquely provides an opportunity for undergraduates to experience what graduate student life or full-time employment in a research lab can be like. It also allows for personal development as a researcher by enabling undergraduates to take charge of the planning and execution of their own research project. There were also some fun events organized by the program, such as the trip to Cooper Nuclear Center. It was a fascinating experience to visit and tour a functioning nuclear power plant in person, something most people will never see. This whole experience was wrapped up with the chance to present my research at the UNL summer research symposium, another great opportunity to build confidence in relaying my skills and the results of my research among my peers.”
Vladislav Prakapchuk
Mechanical & Materials Engineering
“The NCESR Summer Internship provided an exceptional opportunity to conduct meaningful research at the intersection of energy and materials science while working alongside several talented researchers. Throughout this program, I gained hands-on experience conducting research utilizing characterization equipment, developed critical data analysis skills, and contributed to solving real-world challenges in electronic thermal management. This experience has both enhanced my technical abilities and pushed me further towards my goal of pursuing graduate studies for mechanical & materials engineering. I highly recommend this internship to any undergraduates interested in making tangible contributions to energy efficiency and sustainability.”
Yashraj Purbey
Electrical & Computer Engineering
“During my NCESR-funded summer internship, I had the opportunity to work on advancing VaSP2, a software tool designed to identify genotype-specific RNA splicing events in sorghum, maize, and rice populations and link them to key traits such as oil content and biomass. Even though the project was complex, this experience truly allowed me to see how computer science and biology come together to solve problems that can have a real impact on agriculture and energy. I learned a lot about energy science, data analysis, and research, and gained confidence in presenting my work and collaborating with other researchers. This experience highlighted the immense value of hands-on research and provided me with a clearer vision of the career path I aspire to pursue. It was a rewarding experience for me, and I would encourage any student who is curious about research or wants to apply their skills to real-world challenges to take advantage of this internship opportunity.”