Ontario Tech grad students get a career-building experience at Canada’s top nuclear research lab

As Canada’s demand for clean energy grows, nuclear power is expected to play a bigger role. But as major new infrastructure projects take shape, many workers in the field are nearing retirement. There’s a need for a new generation of skilled professionals to fill the gap.

Ontario Tech University is stepping up to meet that need. It’s the only school in Canada that offers an accredited undergraduate program in Nuclear Engineering, and it graduates more nuclear engineers than any other university in North America. By combining classroom learning with real-world experience, Ontario Tech is preparing students to lead the future of nuclear energy.

From entry to expert: Ontario Tech is Canada's nuclear training ground

For the second year in a row, Ontario Tech’s School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies organized a visit for 16 Ontario Tech master’s and PhD students from a mix of academic programs spent a week at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) in Chalk River, Ontario. They toured CNL’s leading research facilities, saw nuclear science in action, connected with Ontario Tech alumni now working at CNL, and met with top researchers and engineers. The experience not only gave them valuable insight into how nuclear energy is developed, it also opened career doors with CNL, which seeks talent in a wide range of disciplines and expertise.

The visit was part of CNL’s Graduate Immersive Experience Program, which introduce students to exciting developments in the field, including nuclear fusion, a promising technology that could one day provide almost unlimited clean energy.

What Ontario Tech students and alumni are saying

“I came to CNL at Chalk River to see what kinds of career opportunities there are for someone with my academic background. I am feeling a lot more excited about nuclear reactors and clean energy than I did before. Many of us are now wanting to reshape our career path to be a part of this diverse and growing industry.”
- Sonia Mirza, Second-year Master of Health Sciences candidate

“I highly recommend this immersive experience to future students, for the opportunity to see labs in-person, and to talk with CNL’s experts. I left feeling reassured about the field of nuclear energy, its purpose and the end goals we have as academics, researchers and nuclear workers.”
- Viridiana Borjas Padilla, Second-year Nuclear Engineering PhD candidate

“I’m interested in research into fusion and the transportation of nuclear waste. I liked getting a good glimpse of the CNL labs and the surrounding geographic area too, which gave me an understanding of what life would be like if I lived here. So I now feel very informed.”
- Quinn Eng, Second-year Master of Engineering (Nuclear Engineering) candidate

“The partnership between CNL and Ontario Tech University is incredibly valuable because it connects cutting-edge research with real-world applications in nuclear science and technology.  I saw a lot of myself in the students who visited us this summer—their energy, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. It felt great to give back and help them see how their education can translate into real-world impact.”
- Saurabh Srivastava, Ontario Tech Bachelor of Nuclear Engineering graduate from 2010, who has served as Deputy Vice-President of Business Management at CNL since 2023. Mr. Srivastava strategically leads and directs CNL’s business management functions, and is supported by more than 300 employees spanning five different portfolios.

Helpful links

• Learn more about Ontario Tech’s Nuclear Engineering programs and research
• Ontario Tech School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website

Quotes

“Ontario Tech’s partnership with CNL exemplifies its commitment to  the development of nuclear energy talent at every stage, and equipping students with the expertise the industry demands. The Immersive Experience Program offers graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds a front-row seat to current nuclear fusion research and unsurpassed career mentorship opportunities, preparing them to tackle the complex challenges facing the future of nuclear energy.”   
- Dr. Pejman Mirza-Babaei , Dean, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Ontario Tech University

“Given our unique expertise and capabilities, Canada’s national nuclear laboratory plays a critical role in the development of our country’s talent pipeline. Given the need for clean energy technologies globally, and Canada’s opportunity to support fusion energy development, CNL is committed to building the workforce needed. We are thrilled to be working with Ontario Tech in advancing important learning opportunities for their students.” 
- Dr. Gina Strati , Director, Academic Partnership Program, CNL

Media contacts

Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
289.928.3653
bryan.oliver@ontariotechu.ca

Philip Kompass
Director, Corporate Communications
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
1.866.886.2325
media@cnl.ca

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