From research to the classroom: Three NPRE students earn Mavis Future Faculty fellowships

Three Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering (NPRE) graduate students have been selected as Mavis Future Faculty Fellows for the 2026–27 academic year, joining a prestigious program designed to prepare the next generation of engineering faculty leaders.

The Mavis Future Faculty Fellows (MF3) Program, administered by The Grainger College of Engineering’s Office of Graduate, Professional and Online Programs, was created to help doctoral students develop the skills needed for successful academic careers. While Grainger Engineering’s graduate programs are internationally recognized for their research excellence, the MF3 program provides additional training in areas that are critical to faculty success but are often outside the scope of traditional doctoral education. Fellows participate in workshops, seminars and professional development activities focused on research, teaching and mentoring—the three core components of the program. Weekly seminar topics include faculty life, application materials, campus interviews and strategies for building a successful academic career.

This year’s NPRE fellows—Atthu Deshpande, Mahmoud Eltawila and Nicholas Dailey—each bring a passion for education, mentorship and scholarly impact.

Deshpande, from Mumbai, India, aspires to become a faculty member working at the intersection of nuclear engineering, applied mathematics and computational physics, while remaining attentive to the ways emerging artificial intelligence tools may reshape research and teaching. She hopes to teach foundational nuclear engineering courses such as reactor theory, neutron diffusion and radiation transport, helping students see mathematics as an accessible and useful tool rather than an intimidating barrier.

For Deshpande, mentorship is equally important. She credits her own mentors with fostering both technical excellence and intellectual independence, and she hopes to create a similar environment for future students. The MF3 program, she said, offers an opportunity to intentionally prepare for a faculty career grounded in rigorous research, effective teaching and thoughtful mentorship.

Eltawila, from Alexandria, Egypt, views the fellowship as an opportunity to learn from accomplished academics and leaders as he charts his own path toward a faculty career. Throughout his academic journey, he has benefited from exceptional mentors who helped shape his development as a scholar and researcher. Through the MF3 program, he hopes to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to provide that same level of guidance to future students while advancing research that supports long-term energy sustainability.

Dailey, a native of Canton, Illinois, has long been driven by a passion for sharing knowledge. While pursuing his studies, he discovered that teaching is one of the best ways to deepen his own understanding of complex topics. Motivated by the belief that learning should be engaging and accessible, he regularly creates short educational videos for friends and colleagues, distilling difficult concepts into concise, easy-to-follow lessons.

As an MF3 Fellow, Dailey hopes to further develop his mentoring and communication skills while exploring innovative ways to engage students in the classroom. He believes education can be both rigorous and enjoyable when presented effectively, and he is eager to learn strategies that will help him become a more impactful educator.

As members of the 2026–27 MF3 cohort, Deshpande, Eltawila and Dailey will participate in a yearlong series of seminars and professional development opportunities designed to strengthen their abilities as researchers, teachers and mentors. Their selection reflects both their academic accomplishments and their commitment to shaping the future of engineering education.