NextGen MURR teams with Burns & McDonnell, supporting the future of lifesaving nuclear medical isotope production

By Uriah Orland

March 18, 2026
Contact: Uriah Orland, 573-884-5139, [email protected]

The University of Missouri continues its momentum toward the construction of a new research reactor - NextGen MURR - that will expand Mizzou's capabilities to provide life-saving radioisotopes used to treat cancer and greatly expand neutron science research for the nation. The university recently entered into a major consulting agreement with Burns & McDonnell to provide project controls, engineering oversight, and owner's representation for NextGen MURR. BWXT will support the project as a sub-contractor to Burns & McDonnell.

Under the agreement, Burns & McDonnell will be part of the NextGen MURR team, supporting the university through the design and licensing phase of the project. The company's role includes reviewing the design and licensing deliverables from the NextGen MURR Consortium, which is comprised of Hyundai Engineering America, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), the Hyundai Engineering Company and MPR Associates. Burns & McDonnell will also advise on project schedule and budget performance, risk, and assist the project team in preparing for regulatory milestones.

"This contract is an exciting next step in our progress to build NextGen MURR at Mizzou," University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. "Burns & McDonnell will help ensure that the new reactor is built on a foundation of technical excellence, regulatory compliance and worldclass project management. This strengthens our team as we advance toward submission of our application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."

"Burns & McDonnell brings deep engineering experience and a proven ability to manage complex nuclear infrastructure projects," UM Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves said. "We have amazing support from our state representatives, and this contract is promoting jobs and economic development in Missouri."

The contract, estimated at over $2.3 million, will span more than two years as the NextGen MURR team pursues Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) acceptance of a Construction Permit Application.

"The University of Missouri is at the forefront of advancing nuclear research and medicine, and the NextGen MURR project represents a monumental step forward in the global fight against cancer" said Scott Strawn, senior vice president and general manager of the Power Group at Burns & McDonnell. "We are honored to partner with the university on a project with such a critical, life-saving mission. Our team is ready to apply its deep experience in complex nuclear engineering and construction to support the NextGen MURR Consortium as the project moves forward."

"Burns & McDonnell complements the expertise found in our Consortium," University of Missouri Research Reactor Executive Director Matt Sanford said. "Their experience is crucial as we prepare our construction and licensing applications."

NextGen MURR is the University of Missouri's transformational initiative to build a new 20-megawatt, state-of-the-art research reactor. The new reactor will expand critical nuclear science capabilities, as well as medical isotope research and production for cancer treatments and theranostics.

"We're thrilled to be part of the NextGen MURR team, contributing to the University of Missouri's vital mission to advance cancer treatment through life-saving radioisotopes," Kate Kelly, president for BWXT Advanced Technologies, said. "As a driver of advanced reactor innovation, BWXT will be providing Owner's Engineer services related to the nuclear technology to help make this project successful."

"The Consortium is very excited to work with the expanded NextGen MURR team," In-Cheol Lim, project executive of the Consortium, said. "Our shared expertise boosted by the expansion will enable a comprehensive, regulatory compliant application package for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ultimately resulting in the first research reactor to be built in the United States in over 30 years."

The NextGen MURR project builds on the internationally recognized excellence of the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR), the only U.S. producer of multiple medical isotopes used in lifesaving treatments for more than a dozen types of cancer, including liver, thyroid, pancreatic and prostate cancer.

The agreement enables this lifesaving work to continue and expand in the decades ahead through the development of a state-of-the-art next-generation reactor, a bold initiative championed by federal and state leaders.

A $20 million grant through the National Institute of Standards and Technology was secured by former Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer in 2023, and through the leadership of U.S. Reps. Bob Onder and Mark Alford, the university secured $8.4 million in funding in the FY26 appropriations bill for radioisotope processing equipment and essential reactor safety and reliability systems. U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt also supported additional federal investment to expand MURR's role in Department of Defense and Department of Energy research on mobile microreactor technologies.

"NextGen MURR is a prime example of how federal, state, and university partners can collaborate to strengthen our supply chains and drive medical innovation. This new reactor will enhance America's national security by reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical medical isotopes and nuclear materials. By advancing next-generation nuclear research, we're not just supporting breakthroughs in health and energy-we're also reinforcing the scientific infrastructure that underpins our nation's defense and long-term readiness," Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) said.

"Expanding America's ability to produce cancer fighting medical isotopes is essential to improving patient outcomes, and NextGen MURR represents a major step toward strengthening that lifesaving supply. Missouri has long been a national leader in biomedical research and innovative treatments, and this investment further solidifies the state's role at the forefront of medical advancement. Modernizing our nuclear research infrastructure is critical to sustaining that leadership, ensuring the nation has the scientific capabilities it needs to support breakthrough therapies and technologies for decades to come," Congressman Bob Onder (MO-03) said.

"By providing critical funding for MURR and NextGen MURR, we're strengthening America's nuclear research leadership and securing a reliable, domestic supply of lifesaving medical isotopes," Senator Eric Schmitt said. "This investment creates high-quality jobs, supports workforce training, and boosts communities across Missouri and the nation, while reducing reliance on foreign sources and reinforcing a strong federal-state-university partnership."

The Missouri General Assembly approved $50 million in funding toward NextGen MURR in June 2025, as well as annual funding for the university.

"This milestone strengthens Missouri's position as a national leader in advanced manufacturing, nuclear technology, and bioscience," Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said. "The state's investment is already delivering returns by supporting high-quality jobs, expanding research capabilities, and accelerating medical innovation that benefits families across Missouri and the nation. The NextGen MURR project will improve access to lifesaving cancer-fighting isotopes, while creating good construction jobs today and highly technical, long-term jobs for the future. This project represents the kind of forward-looking infrastructure that keeps Missouri competitive and supports the health and well-being of our communities."

"Supporting major science and technology infrastructure like NextGen MURR reflects a commitment to the kind of forward-looking leadership that benefits Missouri families," Missouri Speaker of the House Jonathan Patterson said. "Investments in projects of this scale strengthen our universities, expand research opportunities, and help develop the highly skilled workforce our state and nation needs for the future. The impact will be felt statewide - from new construction and technical jobs to the growth of innovative industries that create opportunities in both rural and urban communities. This is the type of smart investment that keeps Missouri competitive for decades to come."

"Support for this project reflects a broad, bipartisan commitment to strengthening cancer research, expanding medical isotope production, and advancing the kind of university driven innovation that improves lives across Missouri," Missouri Senator Stephen Webber said. "The benefits extend far beyond the laboratory - improving access to lifesaving cancer treatments while creating good paying technical jobs that support veterans and working families in every corner of the state. This is a generational investment in Missouri's future, building a world class nuclear research and manufacturing hub that will serve the state and the nation for decades to come."

Once complete, NextGen MURR will serve as an innovation and manufacturing hub for nuclear science, medicine and engineering in the United States for generations to come.