LSU’s Nuclear Engineering Program Prepares Students for the Big Energy Era
November 10, 2025
To meet growing energy needs, the United States plans to triple its nuclear capacity by 2050. Meanwhile, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are investing in small nuclear reactor technology to help meet the enormous energy needs of AI data centers. More than 30 companies have announced plans for advanced reactors, which are evolutions of those that have been powering nuclear submarines for 70 years.
The new generation of advanced reactors provide an excellent source of process heat for chemical plants and refineries. About 20 percent of the electricity produced in the United States goes into process heat. Replacing fossil fuels with nuclear heat offers several advantages, including greater energy security, price stability, and zero carbon dioxide emissions. Photo courtesy of BASF Geismar.
Advanced reactors are emerging as a viable alternative to fossil fuels for industrial operations because they can be installed on site and provide a lot of reliable, continuous power without carbon emissions.
LSU highlighted the growth and opportunities of “new nuclear” last month at Integrated Nuclear Energy Day on the flagship campus. Researchers along with state, university, and industry leaders, including from TerraPower and NVIDIA, explored the future of nuclear innovation, safety, and workforce development.
“The LSU event was a great opportunity to help build the local economy through the development of nuclear power, which will help develop AI and other solutions.”
Marc Spieler, NVIDIA senior managing director, energy
NVIDIA makes the chips for the AI data centers driving the demand for advanced reactor power. The company’s venture capital arm, NVentures, was among the investors in TerraPower’s recent $650 million funding round.
TerraPower, a nuclear innovation company backed by Bill Gates, has designed a new type of reactor—a liquid sodium-cooled fast reactor—and energy storage system. Natrium’s energy storage allows the plant to ramp up to meet demand, while the reactor operates at a steady baseload capacity.
“LSU’s Integrated Nuclear Energy Day was an engaging and thought-provoking event that brought together the partners across industry, government and academia that will be key in deploying the next generation of nuclear energy and expanding the domestic capabilities necessary to achieve our goals.”
Jeff Miller, Vice President of Business Development, TerraPower
LSU researchers say the collaboration between tech leaders and academic researchers is paving the way for Louisiana to lead national efforts in advancing clean energy.
“Louisiana’s energy industry already knows how to innovate,” said Manas Gartia, an associate professor of mechanical engineering who heads LSU’s nuclear power engineering program. “Now we have the chance to lead in clean nuclear energy—and to make LSU a national hub for nuclear education and research.”
The Meta Richland Parish AI data center, the company’s largest, will not use nuclear power. Although the parent company of Facebook's plans call for advanced reactors capable of producing between one and four gigawatts of power by 2030, the Louisiana facility will be powered by natural gas.
With the projected expansion of nuclear, the U.S. will need to triple its current 68,000 nuclear engineers and workers, 40% of whom could retire within a decade.
“If we can grow our nuclear program, we can educate more engineering students and instructors who can train the workers needed to build and operate advanced reactors,” Gartia said.
LSU’s nuclear power minor combines mechanical engineering fundamentals with specialized courses in reactor physics, materials, and safety systems.
Gartia sees an opportunity for LSU to partner with industry, particularly Entergy, to build an on-campus reactor simulator.
“A simulator would allow LSU to provide on-the-job training. Students could experience first-hand the kind of operational decisions made every day at nuclear power plants,” he said.
Gartia believes there would be enough interest among students. LSU ended its nuclear power engineering major many years ago because enrollment dwindled in the years following the Chernobyl disaster. But these days, nuclear is emerging as a clean energy alternative to help slow climate change. Major reasons are advanced reactors’ smaller footprints—some can fit comfortably on the trailer of an 18-wheeler—and technological improvements that prevent them from melting down.
Learn More About “New Nuclear”
LSU Graduates a New Wave of Nuclear Professionals
Nick Fullilove, a reactor engineer at Entergy’s Waterford 3, one of two nuclear power plants currently in operation in Louisiana, exemplifies this new wave of nuclear professionals. Starting with a nuclear engineering minor at LSU, he went on to earn a master’s degree in the same field from the University of Tennessee.
Fullilove said he finds his work rewarding, especially when it comes to developing reactivity plans that guide Operations, a core department at Waterford 3, during reactor power maneuvers. These plans outline a clear methodology for precise control of reactor conditions, identify key parameters requiring close monitoring, and specify appropriate actions to take when operating limits are approached or challenged.
Nick Fullilove, a reactor engineer at Entergy’s Waterford 3, one of two nuclear power plants currently in operation in Louisiana, exemplifies a new wave of nuclear professionals.
“While I’m not in the control room maneuvering plant systems, Operations often seeks guidance from Reactor Engineering. If Operations needs to adjust reactor power by 10%, we calculate how much boric acid or water to add to the reactor. We also analyze the amount of control rod insertion for manipulating power distribution in the reactor core,” Fullilove explained. “The technical knowledge I have gained throughout my career grows my passion for the nuclear field.”
While Fullilove enjoys his role at the utility, he emphasized a degree in nuclear science and engineering opens doors beyond the energy sector, including opportunities in defense, medicine, and technology. Gartia agrees, adding the anticipated expansion of advanced reactors will generate even more career openings for future nuclear engineers.
“When people think about nuclear engineering, they usually think about large power plants and reactors. But with so many advanced reactors planned and AI-driven companies investing in reliable clean power, this field is expanding fast,” Gartia said. “It’s a great time for students who want to make a difference.”
Fullilove said advanced reactors are “a must” going forward.
“If the nuclear industry wants to remain an option for the growing energy demands, to be cost competitive, moving gradually towards advanced reactors isn’t an option, it will need to happen.”
Nick Fullilove, reactor engineer at Entergy’s Waterford 3 nuclear power plant and an LSU nuclear power engineering alumnus
Jack Davis, general manager, nuclear fuels and integrated risk services for Entergy, said there is no better time to be in nuclear.
“There is a significant shortfall of skilled nuclear professionals due to the worldwide demand for more power, particularly driven by data center proliferation, and the commitment by major world powers to triple nuclear power generation by 2050 to ease greenhouse gas effects,” Davis said. “An aging workforce and increasing retirements are causing numerous gaps in key nuclear positions and this is projected to continue.”
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