Aaron Unger is the first University of Nevada, Reno student to receive a prestigious nuclear energy program scholarship from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Unger, a freshman studying materials engineering, was one of 59 students nationwide to receive the Nuclear Energy Integrated University Program Scholarship in the amount of $7,500.

"This scholarship opens up many exciting opportunities for my future," Unger said. "The scholarship represents more than a large check to fund my education. Energy demands across the world are rising at an almost frightening rate, but I believe that spreading my passion for nuclear energy may be a simple solution to building an essentially sustainable future. With this scholarship, I plan on moving forward in nuclear energy research and promoting awareness of its benefits." 

Unger has worked closely with Associate Professor in the Chemical and Materials Engineering Department and the Graduate Program Director Dev Chidambaram during the first year of his undergraduate career.

"I have known Aaron since fall 2014 as his professor, academic advisor and research advisor," Chidambaram said. "Aaron emailed me prior to even attending my class. He is from the Las Vegas region and had already had significant research experience in radiochemistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as a high school student."

Unger was an AP Merit Scholar in high school and is a Presidential Scholar. He has also been accepted into the Honors Program for the College of Engineering and earned a place on the College's Dean's List.

"I am very proud of Aaron's achievement," Manos Maragakis, dean of the College of Engineering said. "It is a clear indication of the college's national prominence."

"Unger is intelligent and hard-working," Chidambaram said. "I have no doubt that he will continue to excel in his undergraduate degree. He has already expressed interest in pursuing a doctorate in nuclear engineering."

For more information about the College of Engineering, visit http://www.unr.edu/engineering.