WSU celebrates 65 years of nuclear excellence

As the nation renews its focus on reliable, carbon-free energy, Washington State University is leaning into its decades of nuclear expertise and reaffirming its commitment to invest in nuclear energy research, education, and infrastructure at a pivotal moment.

This year, WSU marks 65 years since its reactor went active, celebrating a legacy of research, training, and workforce development that is now accelerating a new era of nuclear science and technology nationwide.

First achieving criticality in 1961, WSU's reactor has long served as a hub for experiential learning and applied research, supporting generations of students, faculty, and industry partners. Today, it remains one of the few university research reactors in the nation and with an ambitious expansion underway will continue to play a vital role in preparing the next generation of nuclear professionals.

The TRIGA (an acronym for Training Research Isotopes General Atomics) reactor's longevity reflects a sustained institutional commitment to nuclear science and applied research.

This reactor facility demonstrates what long-term commitment to research excellence makes possible.

That commitment is accelerating. WSU is actively reinvesting in nuclear facilities, academic programs, and research capabilities to help meet the nation's urgent need for scalable, reliable clean energy and a highly trained workforce to support it.

"This reactor facility demonstrates what long-term commitment to research excellence makes possible," said Vice President for Research Kim Christen. "As we mark 65 years of nuclear innovation, we also look ahead - to the breakthroughs yet to come and to the next generation of leaders and cutting-edge researchers who will advance WSU's distinctive capabilities in nuclear science and tackle the most complex energy and national security challenges of the future."

A living laboratory

From its earliest days, the TRIGA reactor facility has functioned as more than a research instrument. It has been a classroom where students gain direct, practical experience with nuclear systems, reactor operations, radiation measurement, regulations, engineering, materials science, health physics, radiochemistry, and nuclear safety culture.

Over the decades, thousands of students across disciplines have trained using the reactor facility, going on to careers in nuclear energy, national laboratories, medical physics, environmental monitoring, defense, and regulatory agencies. The facility has supported coursework, reactor operator licensing, and specialized research projects that cannot be replicated in a traditional lab setting.

Supporting today's nuclear workforce needs

As demand grows for skilled nuclear professionals, WSU's long-standing investment in nuclear infrastructure and education positions the university as a critical contributor to the national workforce pipeline. Federal agencies, utilities, and private companies are seeking graduates with practical experience and strong safety culture training, areas where reactor-based education provides a distinct advantage.

With much of the current nuclear workforce nearing retirement and advanced reactor technologies moving toward deployment, the need for trained professionals has never been greater. WSU's efforts ensure students are prepared to step directly into roles that support the nation's clean energy transition and energy resilience.

Students benefit from direct exposure to reactor operations, regulatory frameworks, and nuclear science, strengthening their capacity for roles across the nuclear sector. Collaborative projects and internships with government and industry partners further connect classroom learning to workforce pathways.

Together, we're building the talent and technologies that will drive the future of nuclear energy.

"WSU's nuclear programs span Pullman and the Tri-Cities, creating a powerful ecosystem for hands-onresearch, training, and industry collaboration," said Corey Hines, Director of the Nuclear Science Center. "Together, we're building the talent and technologies that will drive the future of nuclear energy."

A platform for modern nuclear research

Although WSU's research reactor has been operating for more than 65 years, its mission is squarely focused on the future. Today, faculty and student researchers rely on the facility to advance high-impact work in areas such as advanced materials, next-generation instrumentation testing, radiation measurement, and nuclear data development; these capabilities directly support national energy, security, and scientific priorities.

The reactor's versatility enables interdisciplinary research that bridges nuclear science with materials engineering, environmental science, health physics, and emerging clean-energy technologies. With a longstanding record of operational excellence and safety, the facility offers an ideal environment for experimental studies, industry partnerships, and student-led innovation. The result is a powerful ecosystem that accelerates discovery while preparing the highly skilled workforce needed to drive the nuclear sector forward.

Looking ahead: the future of nuclear at WSU

The anniversary comes at a time of renewed national and global momentum in nuclear energy. Emerging needs around advanced reactors, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs, a type of nuclear reactor capable of generating significant electric power without the costly infrastructure required for conventional nuclear reactor facilities), human-factors research, medical isotope production, microreactors, and space nuclear systems are driving new research priorities and creating urgent workforce development demands.

Recognizing this national inflection point, WSU is strategically expanding its nuclear footprint - investing in facilities, strengthening public-private partnerships, and aligning academic programs with the technologies that will power the next generation of reliable, clean energy.

A new 5,000-square-footbuilding currently under construction will house three "hot cells" for nuclear research and development, a chemistry wet lab, and other research capabilities. The $7.6 million building is funded in part by a congressionally directed spending request supported by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.

Additional efforts underway include strengthening ties with industry and national laboratories, growing student training opportunities, and supporting innovation in next-generation nuclear systems.

Powered by the capabilities of the WSU Nuclear Science Center and the university's research reactor, WSU's programs span both the Pullman and Tri-Citiescampuses - creating a coordinated, multi-campus ecosystem for training, research, and industry collaboration.

With the addition of a new Small Modular Reactor control room simulator and expanding partnerships with regional leaders such as Energy Northwest, WSU is building the hands-oninfrastructure and academic pathways needed to prepare the next generation of nuclear engineers, operators, and researchers.

"The future of nuclear energy will be shaped by institutions bold enough to innovate," said Hines. "WSU is committed to ensuring our students, staff, and faculty have the tools to not only meet the industry's needs, but to drive the next wave of discovery."