Nuclear engineering graduate students Carolina da Silva Bourdot Dutra and Logan Hiland pose for photos after receiving American Nuclear Society awards. Credit: Courtesy of Ashley Ammerman
Nuclear engineering students received awards at American Nuclear Society conference
June 9, 2025
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Carolina da Silva Bourdot Dutra and Logan Hiland, both graduate students in the Penn State College of Engineering’s Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering, were recognized with conference awards from the American Nuclear Society (ANS) for their contributions to nuclear science and engineering.
Dutra, advised by Elia Merzari, a Hartz Family Career Development Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, received a Commendation for Service and Leadership, an honor awarded to student members who demonstrate exceptional service and leadership within their university’s ANS Student Section. Her dedication to fostering a strong academic and professional community among her peers earned her the award from ANS leadership. She received this award during the 2025 ANS Student Conference from April 3-5, 2025, in New Mexico.
Dutra, alongside Elia Merzari, Tri Nguyen and Joshua Hansel, received the 2024 ANS Thermal Hydraulics Division Best Paper for her paper on “Study of Turbulence and Pressure Recovery in the Heat Pipe Vapor Flow Using the Spectral Element Method.” This paper was initially presented at the 14th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics, Operation and Safety in Vancouver, Canada, in August 2024. The official award will be presented at the 2025 ANS Annual Conference in Chicago from June 15-19, 2025.
Hiland, also advised by Merzari, was awarded Best Graduate Student Presentation Award in Thermal-Hydraulics, recognizing excellence in research communication at an ANS-sponsored technical session. His presentation showcased innovative approaches to thermal-fluid analysis — a critical area in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of nuclear systems. He received the award during the 2025 ANS Student Conference from April 3-5, 2025, in New Mexico.
The ANS, founded in 1954, is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the application of nuclear science and technology. Its awards recognize top scholars, students and professionals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of nuclear knowledge and practice.
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