This annual award was established to provide early-stage research support for a promising pre-tenured faculty member in the School of Nuclear Engineering.

Chatzidakis is the Associate Reactor Director, the Director of the Nuclear Engineering Radiation Laboratory and an Assistant Professor at the School of Nuclear Engineering. Recently, he and his research group have created the first digital-twin nuclear reactor control system on a university campus. In addition to his recent research success, Chatzidakis was recognized by students as an outstanding nuclear engineering professor for his phenomenal teaching in the 2022 spring and fall semesters.