Entering this fall semester, the Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign promoted Zahra Mohaghegh and Caleb Brooks promoted to the rank of full professor.
Mohaghegh is the Director of the of the Socio-Technical Risk Analysis (SoTeRiA) Research Laboratory and Industry Affiliates Program (IAP) in The Grainger College of Engineering, where she and her research team focus on the advancement of Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) for complex technological systems.
Brooks serves as the director of the Illinois Microreactor RD&D Center and also heads up the Multiphase Thermo-fluid Dynamics Laboratory.
We asked our recently promoted professors to hear their perspectives on their careers, research, and what this milestone means to them.
How does it feel to reach this point of your career?
Mohaghegh: I'm honored to be promoted to the rank of full professor. I’m profoundly grateful to my students, mentors, collaborators, colleagues, and my incredibly supportive family for their encouragement, guidance, and collaboration over the years. A heartfelt thank you to the members of my research team—past and present—whose dedication and hard work have been at the core of every project. None of this would have been possible without them. I also sincerely appreciate the continued support from leadership at the department, college, and campus levels. Thank you all for being such an essential part of this journey.
Brooks: I feel thankful to the department for supporting my promotion and helping to enable the success of my research group. I also feel like it has gone too fast. Long days, but the years have gone by quickly.
What have been some of the most rewarding parts of this journey so far?
Mohaghegh: The most rewarding moments in my journey are those when I feel I’m truly making an impact.
A particular highlight has been serving on committees of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, where I’ve had the opportunity to apply my expertise in nuclear energy risk analysis to a wide range of technological challenges. Helping shape policies and regulations that make our world safer, more secure, and more resilient has been deeply fulfilling. Contributing to efforts that help prevent accidents and save lives is a responsibility I hold close to my heart.
On a day-to-day basis, my greatest joy comes from mentoring students of diverse nationalities, races, and religions —supporting them as they navigate their academic and professional paths. I especially cherish the moments when they overcome challenges, complete their degrees, and step confidently into meaningful careers beyond graduation.
Becoming the first female full professor in our department is a profound honor. I hope that my journey inspires others to believe in themselves and pursue their goals with confidence—regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Brooks: The reward of this job is in the graduate and undergraduate students we get to teach and learn from. I have been exceedingly fortunate to have excellent students and will continue to enjoy watching their many successes as they continue their careers.
What current projects are you most excited about?
Mohaghegh: I’m especially excited about our research efforts focused on enhancing the safety and economic viability of nuclear energy.
One of my ongoing initiatives is a collaboration with Professor Arden Rowell from the University of Illinois College of Law, where we're addressing the complex regulatory challenges associated with advanced nuclear reactors. This interdisciplinary effort bridges both technological and legal uncertainties, and it has been incredibly rewarding to integrate expertise from engineering and law to tackle such a timely and critical issue.
I’m also leading several high-impact projects in collaboration with national laboratories and industry partners to improve risk assessment methodologies for both aging nuclear plants and next-generation reactors. In the case of aging plants, evolving maintenance policies and the adoption of modern technologies — such as AI-driven predictive maintenance — have reduced the reliability of historical data. For advanced reactors, the primary challenge is the limited availability of operational experience and empirical data.
To address these gaps, we are developing innovative methods that incorporate advanced uncertainty analysis, expanded use of modeling and simulation, and AI-based techniques to improve risk assessment. These efforts are essential for enabling more informed, cost-effective, and benefit-justified safety evaluations and decision-making — ultimately reinforcing the safety and economic viability of nuclear energy.
Brooks: It is a great time to be a nuclear engineer. New nuclear technologies are in great position to address the surging demand for clean, reliable power. I am excited by the opportunities in my group to support the significant need in education, research, and at-scale demonstration of new nuclear power technologies and end-use applications.
What do you hope to accomplish now that you have made full professor?
Mohaghegh: As a full professor, I remain deeply committed to continuous learning, mentoring junior colleagues and students, and fostering a more inclusive and collaborative academic community. I look forward to advancing my scientific contributions, guiding the next generation of successful graduates, and developing engineering solutions that have a meaningful impact on society worldwide.
In particular, I aim to broaden the reach and influence of my work in nuclear energy risk analysis and to further advance the field of socio-technical risk engineering across high-consequence industries. I plan to deepen my engagement with national organizations such as the U.S. National Academies and take on leadership roles in research initiatives that shape risk-informed policymaking and best practices. These efforts will be closely integrated into the education and training of students.
One of my long-term goals is to establish an international think tank focused on safety and security, grounded in rigorous scientific education. This initiative will create a global platform for educating future analysts on the root causes of socio-technical failures and for equipping decision-makers with effective tools for risk assessment and communication.
Brooks: I would like to continue to help develop students who are well-positioned to have impactful, fulfilling careers.