The Socio-Technical Risk Analysis (SoTeRiA) Research Laboratory introduced students from across campus to research in nuclear power risk assessment at the 2026 Research Exploration Fair, held Sept. 21 at the Illini Union. Presented by The Grainger College of Engineering, the annual fair connects undergraduates with research groups and opportunities to gain hands-on experience.
Graduate students Hammad Khalid and Md. Istiaque Ahmed and undergraduate students Spencer Fargusson and Aadit Bhatia represented the laboratory. Directed by Zahra Mohaghegh, professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering, the SoTeRiA Research Laboratory advances probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) research and education to support safe, resilient, sustainable and socially responsible nuclear power systems.
The student representatives discussed how PRA helps researchers understand what can go wrong in a complex system, how likely it is and what the consequences could be. They described how SoTeRiA grounds risk scenarios in the science of accident causation and translates foundational research into practical methods for the nuclear power industry, including assessing the risks of AI-enabled technologies used in nuclear power systems.
Conversations also explored how risk analysis can support the licensing of advanced reactors and power uprates at existing nuclear plants. By informing decisions throughout design, licensing, construction, operations and maintenance, this research connects engineering analysis with evolving regulatory and legal requirements to support the safe and efficient deployment of nuclear power systems.
The team also discussed how research and education in PRA prepare students for careers in risk analysis. As nuclear power receives increasing attention for its potential to help address climate change and meet electricity demand from AI infrastructure, understanding and managing risk remains essential to its responsible deployment.
Through these conversations, the SoTeRiA students shared how research in NPRE contributes to decisions about the future of nuclear power and introduced prospective undergraduate researchers to opportunities to take part in that work.