Meet Supathorn Phongikaroon, Ph.D., director of Virginia's only comprehensive nuclear engineering degree program

As director of engineering at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Engineering, Supathorn Phongikaroon, Ph.D., leads Virginia's only nuclear engineering education program offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. VCU Engineering is also home to the nation's only hybrid doctorate in mechanical and nuclear engineering. 

Phongikaroon is a nationally recognized expert on nuclear waste minimization. He has developed novel ways to process and store used nuclear fuel. He has also developed new techniques to ensure safeguard special nuclear materials.

Prior joining the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in January 2014, he held academic and research positions at University of Idaho in Idaho Falls, Idaho; the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho; and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

Phongikaroon grew up in a restaurant family. While working at the Idaho National Laboratory, he authored "Thaidaho," a cookbook for creating Thai cuisine in American kitchens.