Graeme Trundle

I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Nuclear Science and Engineering division within the Department of Physics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. My research focuses on the safety analysis of light water small modular reactors (SMRs) that utilize natural circulation, particularly emphasizing boiling water reactors (BWRs). I am conducting this research under the supervision of Prof. Sevostian Bechta (KTH) and Michael Söderström (Vattenfall Nuclear Fuel AB) as part of the Academic Industrial Nuclear Technology Initiative (ANitA) competence center, which seeks to advance nuclear technologies in Sweden. My specific research interests encompass the reliability assessment of passive safety systems and the stability analysis of BWRs.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Physics from Northern Kentucky University in 2014. Subsequently, I joined the United States Navy, where I attended the Advanced Nuclear Power School from 2015 to 2017 under the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command. During my service from 2017 to 2021, I was a member of the Engineering Division aboard the USS Tucson (SSN-770). My responsibilities included performing and supervising operations on the nuclear propulsion plant, as well as writing technical procedures for repairs involving nuclear and SUBSAFE systems. In 2023, I completed my Master of Science in Engineering Physics at KTH, specializing in Nuclear Energy Engineering, after which I commenced my doctoral project. I anticipate completing my Ph.D. in early 2028.