Stephen Raiman given NRC Distinguished Faculty Development Award

The U-M Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences (NERS) has started a new Nuclear Engineering Faculty Development Program, which is aimed at fostering the academic success of junior faculty members in our field. Funded by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, this comprehensive initiative offers up to four years of financial support to our promising junior faculty member, Stephen Raiman, ensuring a strong foundation for his academic career in the department.

The future of NERS lies in the success of our junior faculty. We are pleased that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission sees value in Stephen’s professional growth. This program helps us launch him into a successful and impactful career.

Todd Allen, NERS Chair

Raiman holds a BS in Physics from the University at Buffalo. In 2016 he received a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences from U-M, with a concentration in materials. After finishing his graduate studies, he worked as a staff researcher in the Materials Science and Technology Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory before becoming an assistant professor of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University. 

Raiman’s research revolves around understanding corrosion and degradation of materials in extreme environments. At NERS, he leads the Materials in High-Temperature Extreme Environments (MiHTEE) Group, which supports innovative nuclear technologies by recreating extreme environments and developing new materials that can withstand those extremes. By pushing materials to their limits, the MiHTEE seeks to understand the links between material properties and behavior and enable innovation to reach new frontiers in clean energy technology. 

“I’m grateful to the NRC for their support in establishing my faculty research and educational program,” said Raiman. “Our research on materials and manufacturing for current and advanced reactors will be used to help deploy these important technologies while training students on the latest methods for analyzing degradation phenomena in nuclear materials.”

The key advantages include:

• Summer support: Financial assistance during the summer period will enable faculty members to dedicate time to preparing teaching materials and research grants, fostering the development of innovative educational resources.
• Support for graduate students: The program recognizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration, supporting early-career faculty members to guide and nurture graduate students, and facilitating their growth as future leaders in the field.
• Provision of supplies and research equipment: Essential resources required for cutting-edge research projects will be made available, allowing faculty members to conduct high-impact investigations and further their contributions to the field.
• Conference participation: The program offers funds to support faculty members in attending conferences, facilitating opportunities for knowledge exchange, paper presentations, and networking with esteemed colleagues.