- Distinguished University Professor, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Director, Nuclear Engineering Program, Director, Capstone Design Program
- Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Phone: 401.874.9335
- Email: bn@uri.edu
- Office Location: Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering, Rm 217
- Google Scholar
Biography
Professor Nassersharif’s career spans four decades at the intersection of nuclear engineering, high‑performance computing, and engineering leadership. He directs the University of Rhode Island’s Nuclear Engineering Program and Capstone Design Program, and previously served as Dean of Engineering at URI. His professional trajectory includes leadership of supercomputing centers at Texas A&M University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and early-career service as a project leader/principal investigator at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Across these roles, he has advanced research and educational innovation through sustained external funding, multidisciplinary collaboration, and an outcomes-driven approach to workforce development.
Research
- Nuclear reactor design, safety analysis, and safeguards by design
- Space nuclear propulsion and power systems
- Modeling, simulation, and decision-support methods for complex engineered systems
- High-performance computing and computational science infrastructure
- Industry-engaged engineering design (capstone design, sponsored projects)
Education
- Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering with a graduate minor in Applied Mathematics, Oregon State University, 1982. Youngest Ph.D. in engineering in the U.S.
- B.S., Mathematics with Highest Degree of Scholarship, and Honors Program, Oregon State University, 1980.
Selected Publications
- Nassersharif, B. & Thomas, D. L., “Nuclear Propulsion,” in Propulsion Systems—Recent Advances, New Perspectives and Applications, IntechOpen, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.110616
- Houts, M. G., Thomas, L. D., & Nassersharif, B., “Centrifugal Nuclear Thermal Rocket Challenges and Potential,” AAS Paper 23‑175, American Astronautical Society, 2023.
- Nassersharif, B., et al., “Design for Safeguards—Detector Array for Locating an Isolated Radioactive Source,” ANS Transactions, Vol. 127, No. 1, 2022.
- Nassersharif, B., et al., “Design for Safeguards and Safety: Nuclear Fuel Element Inspection Using a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle,” ANS Transactions, Vol. 127, No. 1, 2022.
- Nassersharif, B., “A Structured, Outcomes‑Driven Framework for Engineering Capstone Design,” Proceedings of the Capstone Design Conference, 2022.
- Nassersharif, B., et al., “Safety and Safeguards by Design: Development of a Fuel Handling Device for Open‑Pool Research Reactors,” ANS Transactions, Vol. 121, No. 1, 2019.
- Nassersharif, B., et al., “Safeguards‑by‑Design Considerations in Early‑Stage Nuclear System Design,” ANS Transactions, 2018.
- Nassersharif, B., et al., “Industry‑Sponsored Capstone Design as a Mechanism for Engineering Workforce Development,” ANS Transactions, 2017.
- Nassersharif, B., et al., “Modeling and Simulation Strategies for Complex Energy Systems,” Proceedings of the ASME Power Conference, 2016.
- Nassersharif, B., et al., “Safeguards‑by‑Design Principles Applied to Research Reactor Systems,” ANS Transactions, 2015.
Recent Books
- Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Volume 1, 3rd Edition—Nuclear Engineering Fundamentals (2025). ISBN 979-8287050719. Amazon
- Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Volume 2—Nuclear Reactor Design and Safety Analysis (2025). ISBN 979-8285736578. Amazon
- Space Nuclear Propulsion and Power: Principles, Systems, and Applications (2024). ISBN 979-8991392617. Amazon
- Capstone Engineering Design Workbook: Volume 1—Define, Conceive, Prove (2024). ISBN 979-8991392600. Amazon
- Engineering Capstone Design (CRC Press, 2022). ISBN 0367621592. Amazon
- Lecture Notes on Marine Nuclear Propulsion and Power (2025). Amazon
Research Funding
As Principal Investigator, Professor Nassersharif has secured over $18M in cumulative grants and contracts across federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners, including long-standing sponsorship of industry-embedded capstone design projects.
Research grants and contracts (Past 10 Years)
- US Navy/NIUVT — Design of a Gamma Beamport for Analysis of Radiation Effects on Materials — $625,870 (2025–2028)
- NASA — Design and Modeling of CNTR Fuel Tube Turbine and Heat Transport — $25,000 (2024–2025)
- US Navy/NIUVT — Characterization of Nuclear Fuel Elements — $250,000 (2023–2025)
- NASA Space Grant — Design of Centrifugal Nuclear Thermal Rocket (CNTR) — $40,000 (2021–present)
- Rhode Island Department of Commerce Innovation Program / MagSeal — $50,000 (2021–2023)
- Providence Water Department — $18,600 (2019–2020)
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NEEPRI Scholarships) — $128,000 (2017–2021)
- Rhode Island Department of Commerce / Desmark — $50,000 (2017–2018)
- Rhode Island Foundation — Impact on RI's Future Economy — $5,000 (2016–2017)
- Rhode Island Foundation — Rhode Island's Energy Outlook — $12,000 (2015–2016)
Additional selected funded projects (PI)
- U.S. Department of Education — $1,848,023 (2000–2005)
- Naval Research Laboratory — $2,700,000 (1992–1996)
- U.S. Department of Energy (Fossil Energy) — $1,318,318 (1992–1993)
- U.S. DOE — Continuous Wave Radar — $870,000 (1999–2002)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — $470,000 (1992–1996)
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NEEPRI / scholarships) — multiple awards (2008–2017)
- Champlin Foundations — $200,000 (2006–2008)
Selected funded projects (Co‑PI)
- National Science Foundation — Dynamic and Irregular Parallelism — $1,498,343 (1998–2003)
- U.S./RI Department of Transportation — $392,953 (2006–2009)
- NASA — $183,938 (2005–2008)
Leadership and Service
- Director, Nuclear Engineering Program, University of Rhode Island (2010–present)
- Director, Capstone Design Program, University of Rhode Island (2010–present)
- Dean, College of Engineering, University of Rhode Island (2003–2007)
- Faculty Senate President/Chair/Vice‑Chair roles, University of Rhode Island (multiple elected terms)
- Mechanical Engineering Department Head, New Mexico State University (1997–2003)
- Founding Director, Supercomputer Centers: Texas A&M University (1989–1991) and UNLV (1991–1997)
Professional Memberships and Faculty Service
- American Nuclear Society (ANS)
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
- Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)
Faculty Advising and Leadership
- Faculty Advisor, American Nuclear Society (ANS) Student Chapter
- Faculty Advisor, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- Faculty Advisor, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
- President, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Selected courses developed and taught
- Nuclear Design and Safety Analysis (NUE 512)
- Naval Nuclear Power and Propulsion (NUE 518)
- Nuclear Reactor Engineering (MCE/NUE/CHE 471)
- Power Plant Design and Safety Analysis (MCE/CHE/NUE 472)
- Engineering Capstone Design I & II (MCE 401/402)
Honors and Awards
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (1991)
- Presidential Young Investigator Award (1987)
- Inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineers, Oregon State University (2011)
- Multiple national first‑place awards as faculty advisor in FAA and TRB/NASEM design competitions (2014–2018)