Boise State University
03/25/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/25/2026 12:48
Materials Science alum pursues career in advanced nuclear fuels research
Boise State alum and former Top Ten Scholar Sarah Cole '25 is advancing the future of nuclear energy through hands-on research and national leadership, recently highlighted by the U.S. Department of Energy's Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP).
Graphic by Michele ArmstrongNow a doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cole is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuels designed to improve the safety and efficiency of next-generation reactors. Her work explores materials such as uranium nitride and uranium-zirconium alloys, innovations that could play a key role in accident-tolerant fuels and emerging reactor technologies.
Cole's path into nuclear science began close to home. Growing up near Boise, she was introduced to research through an internship at Boise State's Advanced Materials Laboratory, where she worked alongside faculty and graduate students to study materials for extreme nuclear environments. That early experience sparked a passion for hands-on discovery and set her on a trajectory toward nuclear engineering.
As an undergraduate at Boise State, Cole quickly immersed herself in research, working directly with uranium and contributing to projects focused on accident-tolerant fuels. Her work involved fabricating and testing materials designed to safely contain fission products, an essential challenge in modern nuclear energy systems.
Beyond the lab, Cole has also emerged as a strong advocate for nuclear energy. Through internships and national programs, she has engaged with policymakers in Washington, D.C., contributing to discussions on nuclear fuel security and the future of domestic energy infrastructure.
Now at MIT, Cole continues to push the boundaries of nuclear materials research, using advanced imaging techniques to study irradiated fuels and support the development of next-generation reactors.
Rooted in her Boise State experience, Cole's work reflects a commitment to solving complex energy challenges and advancing technologies that will shape a more resilient energy future.
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