Adrianna (Addie) Lupercio is set to graduate this summer, having successfully defending her PhD dissertation entitled, “Fracture behavior of Advanced Technology Fuels for Light Water Reactors”. Nuclear energy provides reliable, high-capacity baseload electricity while emitting zero greenhouse gases during operation. To adequately meet the energy needs of society and maintain economic viability, it is crucial to enhance the efficiency of nuclear power plant (NPP) operations. Upgrades to NPP operations require near-term advanced technology fuel (ATF), such as doped UO2, to increase the flexibility of plant operation without impacting safety margins. Addie’s research focused on the fabrication and mechanical testing of TiO2– and Cr2O3-doped UO2 fuel samples. She developed and validated a ball-on-ring biaxial flexure technique used to obtain the statistical fracture parameters of doped UO2. These parameters are important to modeling and simulation efforts aimed at understanding fuel fracture behavior, thereby helping to advance the qualification and implementation of ATFs.
Addie grew up in Eagle, ID and was homeschooled from 7th grade through high school. Prior to taking her GED examination, she embarked on a period of work and travel, seeking new experiences and perspectives. She started taking community college credits at the College of Western Idaho with the hope of becoming a registered nurse. During her first chemistry class, her trajectory shifted thanks to her instructor Jim Kusterer who strongly urged her to pursue a degree in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Jim also opened her eyes to the power of nuclear energy which became a deep passion for Addie. During her junior year in the MSE program, Addie’s thermodynamics teacher, Dr. Megan Frary, connected her to Dr. Jaques’ group, the Advanced Materials Laboratory (AML), which focused on materials for extreme environments, including nuclear materials! Addie decided to quit her managing position at an apartment community and dedicate herself to her education and research in the AML. During her education, she received an undergraduate scholarship and a prestigious graduate fellowship in nuclear energy through the US Department of Energy-Office of Nuclear Energy. Addie’s path to obtaining her PhD was undoubtedly nurtured and guided by great mentors and teachers along the way.
When Addie was not in the lab or office, you could find her volunteering at STEM events or taking leadership roles in the MSE club, the American Ceramic Society, Women in Nuclear, and other organizations. In her senior year of undergrad, she started the Nuclear Energy Club which was eventually recognized as an official student chapter of the American Nuclear Society. Addie is also passionate about teaching and successfully completed her Graduate Certificate in College Teaching and taught her own introductory MSE course. Outside of academics, research, and volunteering, Addie is passionate about mountain biking, skiing, and general outdoor adventuring. Her biggest piece of advice for new graduate students is to remember to enjoy the process and take time for your soul to be refreshed, whether it is adventuring in the outdoors or just curling up on the couch and reading a book of your choice.
Congratulations Dr. Lupercio!