Travis W. Knight (PhD University of Florida, 2000) joined the University of South Carolina in 2004 to establish the Nuclear Engineering Program and is currently Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has more than 25 years of experience modeling and experimenting with advanced nuclear fuels for a wide range of applications including high temperature composite, coated particle, and space nuclear fuels. Recent work has included research on uranium silicide and doped-UO2 fuels. He has led a large, multi-university and industry consortia to advance the understanding of spent nuclear storage and management. He is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and is a past chair of both the Materials Science and Technology and Education, Training, and Workforce Development Divisions of ANS. He contributes to state and national efforts in nuclear energy as a member of the South Carolina Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council and the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)National Academy for Nuclear Training-National Nuclear Accrediting Board.