Michael Short

Michael Short serves as Class of '42 Associate Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering and Associate Director of the Plasma Science and Fusion Center at MIT, where he has revolutionized nuclear materials research since joining the faculty in 2013. His fifteen years of expertise spans nuclear materials, microstructural characterization, and alloy development, combining large-scale experiments with micro/nanoscale analysis and multiphysics modeling. His research focuses on three critical areas: developing non-contact measurements of irradiated material properties through transient grating spectroscopy, preventing harmful deposits in nuclear reactors and energy systems, and quantifying radiation damage through stored energy signatures. As a MacVicar Faculty Fellow, he demonstrates excellence in both research and education, training the next generation of nuclear scientists while advancing fundamental understanding of materials behavior under extreme conditions. His innovative approaches to nuclear materials science have earned him significant recognition in the field, including the NSF CAREER award, while his work continues to shape the future of nuclear energy technology through improved understanding of material degradation and performance in nuclear power systems.