10/22/2019 James Sopkin
Written by James Sopkin
One way NPRE is celebrating Graduate Student Appreciation Week this week is by highlighting the work of some of our graduate students. Gwendolyn Chee is a nuclear power student of Prof. Kathryn Huff.
What previous degrees do you hold and when and where did you receive them?
My undergraduate degree was in 2017 in Engineering Physics from Queen's University in Canada.
What are your research interests?
My research interests are in nuclear fuel cycle analysis and advanced reactor technology.
Who is your advisor?
My advisor is NPRE Prof. Kathryn Huff.
On what project are you currently working?
I am wrapping up my MS Thesis research on sensitivity analysis of the nuclear fuel cycle and starting on a new project for my PhD related to robust fuel forms in microreactors.
What funding/fellowship is supporting you?
I am supported by a grant from the Nuclear Energy University Program.
When do you expect to earn your PhD?
I expect to earn MS this December and my PhD in 2021/2022.
What are your career goals?
Presently, I am trying to intern and experience as much of the nuclear science community as possible so I can make a well informed decision on my career path at the end of my PhD. However, I am currently leaning towards a career at a national lab.
Why did you choose NPRE?
When I was accepted to UIUC in my senior year, I came on a tour to check out the department. I met my present advisor, Dr. Huff, other faculty in the department, and my future groupmates from (Advanced Reactors and Fuel Cycles ) ARFC. I was impressed by the cool research and facilities in NPRE and UIUC as a whole, and the welcoming spirit of Dr. Huff and the ARFC group; that's when I decided to join the NPRE Department.
Why did you choose Illinois?
I chose Illinois because of NPRE and ARFC!