The young scientists share another distinction: They have been mentored — and were nominated for the award — by Takashi Hibiki, professor of nuclear engineering. The three honorees celebrated with Hibiki as he earned the AESJ 2017 Award for Eminent Achievements in Nuclear Science and Technology (the society’s highest honor).

Pictured (left to right) are: Caleb Brooks, PhD (NE 2014), assistant professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Takashi Hibiki; Shuichiro Miwa, PhD (NE 2012), assistant professor, Hokkaido University in Japan; and Joshua Schlegel, PhD (NE 2012), assistant professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The Atomic Energy Society of Japan is the only organization in Japan that aims to contribute toward progress in the development of atomic energy by seeking academic and technological advances pertaining to the peaceful use of atomic energy.

Brooks received the AESJ Award for Emerging Technology for “extensive and outstanding original research contributions to modeling and measurement of boiling two-phase flow.” Miwa was presented the AESJ Thermal-Hydraulics Division Award for Emerging Technology for “investigation of the thermal-hydraulic operational behaviors of supersonic steam injector.“ Schlegel received the AESJ Thermal-Hydraulics Division Award for Emerging Technology for “extensive and outstanding original research contributions to development of interfacial area transport equation.”

“I was thrilled to be able to help my former students earn these prestigious awards, which recognize their outstanding contributions,” Hibiki said. “It was a double honor to share the experience with them.”