Alexander Swenson, a master’s student in nuclear engineering and engineering physics, won a best paper award at the 2018 American Nuclear Society Student Conference. He won the award in the Reactor Physics Division for his paper, “Surrogate reactor modeling for system mass optimization in space applications.” His research involves designing a nuclear reactor to provide electrical power for long-term space missions to planets and moons in the solar system. The goal of his work is to design a reactor that produces a large amount of power for its weight to minimize space launch costs. Swenson is a member of Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering Paul Wilson’s research group.