Undergraduate Research Scholars Program

Nicholas Lynn and Kristina Yancey,
2008-2009 Undergraduate Research Scholars

The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program is designed to encourage exceptional undergraduate students to actively participate in independent research projects and communicate their research as an author to the research community. Completion of this program prepares students to be more competitive for national fellowships, and, ultimately, for their continuation to graduate studies. The success of the projects is recognized by the Office of Undergraduate Research at an annual awards ceremony.

To be eligible to participate in the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program a student must:

• have completed at least 60 hours of undergraduate coursework, 24 of which must have been completed at Texas A&M University (or with the approval of your college dean).
• have and maintain a Texas A&M GPR of 3.0 or higher; and
• obtain approval from your department head or his/her designee;

For more information on the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, or to apply, go to the Undergraduate Research Office Website.

2008-2009 Recipients:

Nicholas Lynn and Kristina Yancey

Congratulations to Nicholas Lynn and Kristina Yancey on having been accepted into the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program for 2008-2009. It is truly an honor for the Department to have two students participating in the program this year and a great opportunity for these young engineers.

Nicholas Lynn is a senior in the nuclear engineering program who is working on a project advised by Dr. McDeavitt, which involves impregnating Uranium fuel with a Beryllium Oxide in order to increase the thermal conductivity. The work is a joint effort with graduate student, Michael Naramore.

Kristina Yancey, a junior in the nuclear engineering program, will be working with Dr. Tsvetkov on the question of whether or not nuclear energy is a sustainable source of energy. They will be evaluating the environmental effects of the nuclear cycle as a whole, as well as the availability of uranium and other such factors.