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UNM to host nuclear engineering students from around the country

March 14, 2025 - By Carly Bowling

photo: 2 conference attendees

More than 500 university students, scientists, and job recruiters from around the country are expected to flock to The University of New Mexico in early April to attend “Old and Nu,” the 2025 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Student Conference, which is being held in New Mexico for the first time.

The conference is scheduled to take place April 3-5 with events planned on UNM’s Main Campus and at several sites around Albuquerque, including ABQ Biopark, the Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.

Ethan Krammer and Alexandra Martinez, Ph.D. students in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, are planning the conference and encourage all students interested in nuclear energy and policy to attend what they call a ”once in a lifetime” opportunity. The conference will not return to UNM for at least another six years.

“If you are a local student with any interest in going to an ANS Conference, this is your opportunity to attend one,” Krammer said.

The conference has a packed schedule, including an extensive career fair, student podium and poster presentations on nuclear engineering research, panels on topics ranging from nuclear policy to graduate school, tours, and more.

“It is a wonderful opportunity, not only for nuclear engineers but for all engineering students because all of these companies and national labs will be here. We know all of the engineering disciplines are so intertwined, so it is a wonderful time for students to get engaged with the industry and learn about a discipline they didn’t know so much about,” Martinez said.

Early registrants had the opportunity to sign up for tours of the Trinity Site, Sandia National Labs, Los Alamos National Lab, and local nuclear industry. While most tours are full, event registration remains open.

This event marks the second time in recent years that UNM’s ANS chapter put in a bid to host the ANS Student Conference, Krammer said. Though the initial bid was unsuccessful, the feedback on it helped the chapter make plans that ultimately led to their selection as hosts of the 2025 student conference. Krammer and Martinez thanked several former UNM chapter members who laid the groundwork necessary for success including Rowdy Davis, who graduated with his Ph.D. last year and Lauren Bailey, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree last year and is now a Ph.D. student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Event organizers are still looking for professionals to serve as judges for the technical sessions and poster presentations. Those interested in the opportunity are invited to email the organizers at ans25stuco@unm.edu.

View registration fees and a full event schedule on the ANS Student Conference Website.

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