Cunningham named to ASME’s 2026 Mechanical Engineering Watch List
Los Alamos grad student uses research, humor and outreach to make nuclear science approachable
Kaylee Cunningham, a University of Florida doctoral candidate and graduate researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, was selected as one of 25 early-career professionals on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ 2026 Mechanical Engineering Watch List.
ASME recognized Cunningham in the Outreach category, honoring early-career engineers who are advancing technology, showing leadership and shaping the future of engineering through technical impact and human connection.
Why this matters: Cunningham’s recognition highlights the value of pairing nuclear materials research with clear public communication, emphasizing how future energy systems depend on public trust, technical talent and a better understanding of nuclear science.
What she does: At Los Alamos, Cunningham studies fission gas release in nuclear fuel materials, a process in which gases produced during fission build up inside reactor material and are eventually released, affecting fuel behavior and performance.
How she connects: Through her “Ms. Nuclear Energy” online persona, Cunningham uses humor and plainspoken explanations to address misconceptions about radiation, nuclear waste and nuclear science for younger audiences.
This content was generated with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor.
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