ISU grad Maxwell Daniels travels to Washington,. D.C. to attend the 2015 Nuclear Engineering Student Delegation

POCATELLO – Idaho State University nuclear engineering graduate Maxwell Daniels recently took part in the Nuclear Engineering Student Delegation (NESD). Daniels traveled to Washington, D.C. this summer to attend the event.

The NESD is an annual event that brings some of the nation’s brightest students in nuclear engineering programs to Washington D.C. to discuss the issues facing nuclear energy, policy, education, and research with key policymakers. The students independently organize and run this trip.

“This experience has made me a well-rounded engineer,” Daniels said. “I have improved my communication abilities so that I can discuss the challenges nuclear engineering students across the United States face in a clear and concise manner.”

While in Washington D.C, Daniels had the opportunity to meet Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington, Rep. Denny Heck of Washington, and Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. of Georgia, while his peers met with their own representative congressmen. In addition, meetings with the Department of State, the Department of Energy, Office of Management and Budget, the Nuclear Energy Institute, the American Nuclear Society and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

This trip broadened Daniels’ views to more of the political aspects that surround nuclear energy.
“As a nuclear engineer I commonly get to see the technical aspects of my field,” Daniels said. “Seeing the political side of my field has definitely given me a greater understanding of what is required to continue pushing nuclear energy forwards,” said Daniels, a former Associated Students of ISU senator.

“I highly recommend that any nuclear engineering student interested in learning more about energy policy as it relates to education and research apply to the NESD next year,” said Daniels.
Daniels is currently a senior reactor operator (SRO) for ISU and pursuing his Master’s degree in nuclear engineering and is expected to graduate in 2017.