Dr. Brendan Kochunas

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Brendan Kochunas. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Brendan Kochunas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on high-fidelity computational reactor physics, developing numerical methods and parallel algorithms. He has expertise in neutron transport, nuclide transmutation, multi-physics, and high performance computing architectures. His significant work includes the development of the MPACT code, a main deterministic neutronics tool for the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) and the Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA). Since starting his PhD, he has guided over 14 doctoral students and contributed to various research projects in fission systems and radiation transport. Dr. Kochunas holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan and has been active in multiple roles at the university since 2009, including his time as an Assistant Research Scientist and Post-Doctoral Researcher. His contributions have been recognized with several awards for excellence in teaching and research, demonstrating his commitment to both academic and professional service in the field of nuclear engineering.

Research Interests

Experience

Assistant Professor

2019-01-01 — Present

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Teaching and research in nuclear engineering.

Assistant Research Scientist

2014-01-01 — 2019-01-01

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Conducted research in nuclear engineering.

Adjunct Lecturer

2016-01-01 — 2018-01-01

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Taught courses in nuclear engineering.

Post-Doctoral Researcher

2013-01-01 — 2014-01-01

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Worked on computational reactor physics research.

Graduate Student Research Assistant

2009-01-01 — 2013-01-01

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Assisted in research projects.

Graduate Student Instructor

2009-01-01 — 2009-12-31

University of Michigan • Ann Arbor, MI

Instructed undergraduate courses.

Research Aide

2008-01-01 — 2008-12-31

Argonne National Laboratory • Argonne, IL

Supported nuclear engineering research.

Graduate Research Assistant

2007-01-01 — 2008-12-31

University of California Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Conducted research in nuclear engineering.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

2005-01-01 — 2006-12-31

Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

Engaged in nuclear engineering research.

Co-op/Intern

2004-01-01 — 2004-12-31

Tennessee Valley Authority • Knoxville, TN

Worked in nuclear fuels group.

Awards

#

NERS Departmental Faculty Award

2025-01-01
#

ANS Early Career Reactor Physicist Award

2024-01-01
#

DOE-NE Distinguished Early Career Program Award

2022-01-01
#

Ted Kennedy Family Faculty Team Excellence Award

2016-01-01
#

Finalist Richard F. Eleanor Towner Prize

2013-01-01
#

Richard F. Eleanor Towner Prize

2012-01-01
#

CASL 'Knight' Award

2011-01-01
#

Fuel Cycle Innovations Award

2010-01-01
#

Distinguished Service Award

2010-01-01
#

AFCI/GNEP Fellowship

2007-01-01
#

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

2005-01-01
#

National Academy Nuclear Training Scholarship

2006-01-01

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science