As the nation renews its focus on reliable, carbon-free energy, Washington State University is leaning into its decades of nuclear expertise and reaffirming its commitment to invest in nuclear energy research, education, and infrastructure at a pivotal moment.
This year, WSU marks 65 years since its reactor went active, celebrating a legacy of research, training, and workforce development that is now accelerating a new era of nuclear science and technology nationwide.
First achieving criticality in 1961, WSU’s reactor has long served as a hub for experiential learning and applied research, supporting generations of students, faculty, and industry partners. Today, it remains one of the few university research reactors in the nation and with an ambitious expansion underway will continue to play a vital role in preparing the next generation of nuclear professionals.
The TRIGA (an acronym for Training Research Isotopes General Atomics) reactor’s longevity reflects a sustained institutional commitment to nuclear science and applied research.
“This reactor facility demonstrates what long‑term commitment to research excellence makes possible,” said Vice President for Research Kim Christen. “As we mark 65 years of nuclear innovation, we also look ahead — to the breakthroughs yet to come and to the next generation of leaders and cutting‑edge researchers who will advance WSU’s distinctive capabilities in nuclear science and tackle the most complex energy and national security challenges of the future.”
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