UMich doctoral student sees nuclear in clean energy future

Abdussami became inspired to study nuclear engineering in 2016, when the government of Bangladesh announced plans to construct its first nuclear power plant. Construction began on a two-unit facility in the village of Rooppur, some 160 kilometers (about 100 miles) from the capital city of Dhaka, in November 2017, and assembly of the first reactor was completed in October 2024.

Abdussami’s electrical and nuclear engineering education—first in Bangladesh, then in Ontario, and now in Michigan—led him to specialize in his preferred area of nuclear-related research. He says, “My research interests span several key areas in sustainable and integrated energy systems, focusing primarily on coal-to-nuclear transitions, nuclear-renewable hybrid systems, and clean energy policies.”

Nuclear ambitions

Satellite view of the Rooppur plant site in 2024. (Image: Google Earth)caption.

Bangladesh is a country where about 24 percent of the population lives in poverty (based on the latest official statistic from 2016–2017, according to World Bank). A substantial proportion of the population has either no electricity or unreliable electricity. However, Bangladesh has been making meaningful economic progress in recent years. It is quickly urbanizing, its population is growing at an annual rate of about 1 percent, and electricity demand is rapidly rising. Hence the government’s interest in nuclear energy.

The Rooppur nuclear power plant will have two 1,080-MWe VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors supplied by Atomstroyexport, the exporter of nuclear power equipment and services owned by Russia’s Rosatom. These nuclear reactors are crucial to the government’s plans to “transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country . . . and a developed one by 2041,” as then prime minister Sheikh Hasina said at the 2017 ceremony marking the start of construction on the plant.

The first unit at Rooppur was anticipated to begin commercial production by December 2024, followed by the second unit sometime in 2025. However, political turmoil—which led to the ouster and exile of Hasina in August 2024—has resulted in uncertainty regarding the government’s nuclear plans and the timeline for the Rooppur facility.

From Bangladesh to Canada

Despite the struggles of his native land, Abdussami has fond memories of growing up in Bangladesh. “I was born in the bustling city of Dhaka, but my journey soon took me to Rangpur, where my parents relocated for work,” he said. “My father served as an administrative officer in the Judicial Department of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, while my mother served as principal at Rangpur Nursing College. Growing up in Rangpur, my childhood was filled with simple joys, a sense of community, and a deep appreciation for the natural beauty surrounding me. Even now, I often find myself reminiscing about those carefree days.”

In 2012, Abdussami matriculated at the Islamic University of Technology in Gazipur, about 16 miles north of Dhaka, and earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering in 2016. He said of that time, “I spent the best four years of my life here. Life was here!”

Abdussami at the Sustainable World Development Project event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2017, where he supported the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality education. (Photo: Muhammad Rafiul Abdussami)

Abdussami’s early interest in electricity eventually led him to nuclear engineering. “My path to nuclear engineering was shaped by a mix of personal experiences and a drive to make a meaningful impact on the world. Growing up, I was acutely aware of the air pollution that permeated daily life in Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka. When I began my undergraduate studies in electrical and electronic engineering, I understood the severe role electricity generation plays in air pollution. It set me on a mission to explore solutions that could offer cleaner, more sustainable energy for the future. My academic journey started with a focus on renewable energy, but it wasn’t long before I discovered nuclear power—a powerful, carbon-free option with immense potential.”

His growing curiosity about nuclear energy was fueled when he won a contest during his senior undergraduate year. “In 2016, as Bangladesh unveiled plans for its first nuclear power plant, I felt a surge of excitement and curiosity about nuclear science and its potential to reshape our energy landscape,” he said. “This landmark event became my turning point, sparking a profound interest in nuclear engineering.” That year, he had the opportunity to present a poster on the OFNP—offshore floating nuclear plant—at a national competition.

“I tried to envision this from Bangladesh’s perspective, since Bangladesh is a country prone to natural disasters,” Abdussami continued. “My project won the ‘champion’ title, reinforcing my determination to delve deeper into nuclear energy research. Since that moment, nuclear engineering has become more than just a field of study; it has grown into a purpose-driven pursuit that aligns with my commitment to building a cleaner, more sustainable future for my homeland and beyond.”

In 2019, after teaching at Sonargaon University in Dhaka, Abdussami moved to Ontario, Canada, to pursue graduate-level studies in nuclear engineering at University of Ontario Institute of Technology, where he also worked as a graduate teaching assistant and research assistant. “My work as a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant at Ontario Tech allowed me to dive into the practical aspects of research, collaborate with my mentors on meaningful projects, and share knowledge with students from diverse backgrounds. Teaching became more than just a profession—it was a way to connect, inspire, and engage in lifelong learning,” he recalled.

In 2021, he completed his master’s degree with his thesis, “Planning and Optimization of Nuclear-Renewable Micro Hybrid Energy Systems for Off-Grid Applications,” in which he explored combining nuclear and renewable energy sources to form micro-hybrid systems, especially for remote locations.

Continuing education

After wrapping up his graduate studies, Abdussami returned to Bangladesh, where he taught at the Military Institute of Science and Technology in Dhaka before taking a position as a senior lecturer at East West University in Dhaka.

“The students I’ve taught and mentored are truly the stars of my professional journey; their accomplishments reflect the collaborative spirit and dedication I cherish most in my career,” he said.

But it wasn’t long before he once again made the leap from teacher to student when he began his doctoral studies at UMich in January 2023. He noted, “With all its adept professors and renowned laboratories, I believed NERS would be the best opportunity to fulfill my purpose. I was highly motivated by Professor Todd Allen and Professor Aditi Verma’s research. The research work and activities of the Fastest Path to Zero Initiative also attracted me because I’m very interested in contributing to building sustainable energy systems.”

The Fastest Path to Zero Initiative, launched in 2019, is a UMich program designed to facilitate “equitable and sustainable energy transitions through tool design and research that mix practicality with collective imagination,” according to its website. Incorporating collaborations with communities, governments, industry, and academia, it supports activities from “deep technical research to hands-on community engagement, ensuring that all stakeholders—from policymakers and energy developers to local leaders—are equipped to lead in the transition to a clean energy future.”

Allen, chair of the NERS Department, observed that “Rafiul has been a great addition to NERS and Fastest Path, building the technical case for the usefulness of nuclear energy in a clean energy future.” Verma, an assistant professor in the NERS Department and Abdussami’s Ph.D. advisor, said, “I am consistently impressed with Rafiul’s creativity, drive, and hard work. He is asking and finding answers to some of the hardest questions about how we can build cleaner energy systems—and the potential role for nuclear energy in these systems.”

UMich has proven to be a good match for Abdussami’s interests. “Policy had always been an area of interest for me, but I hadn’t had a chance to explore it in depth before,” he said. “Professor Verma opened that door, inviting me to work on clean energy system modeling and policy with her—a perfect match for my academic background and professional ambitions. Her mentorship has advanced my research skills and expanded my understanding of how technical research intersects with impactful policy work.”

While on campus, Abdussami is also benefitting from the university’s Science and Technology in Public Policy graduate certification program, through which he is learning details about how science and technology can influence—and can be influenced by—politics and policy. The program teaches students how to “analyze the role of science and technology in the policymaking process; develop policy writing skills; gain methods and tools for science and technology policy analysis; and explore the political and policy landscape of specific science and technology areas, including biotechnology, information and communication technology, energy policy, and more,” according to its website.

Interests and pursuits

Abdussami’s primary research interests are coal-to-clean transition, retrofitting of old coal plants, and nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems—all of which he views as crucial for the reduction of global carbon dioxide emissions and the achievement of sustainable energy goals.

He explained, “In exploring nuclear-renewable hybrid systems, my work examines how integrating nuclear with renewables can help achieve low-cost energy sustainability. These hybrid systems can address the intermittency of renewables, reduce the need for large energy storage solutions, and leverage the low-carbon output of nuclear energy. This approach balances the steady generation from nuclear with the variable output of renewables like wind and solar, leading to a more resilient, low-emission energy infrastructure.

“A central focus of my current research is on coal-to-clean transitions, driven by the need to reduce the environmental impact of coal plants and meet global CO₂ reduction targets. This research evaluates the feasibility of converting retired coal sites into advanced nuclear facilities, using GIS [geographic information system]–based siting tools and optimization algorithms to identify the most suitable locations. Key challenges include assessing site-specific load profiles, understanding technical requirements of plants and reactor technology, and integrating local energy policies. The findings highlight that these integrated energy systems can significantly lower energy costs and enhance reliability compared to conventional coal-to-nuclear transitions, contributing directly to deep decarbonization goals.”

Abdussami is the coauthor of numerous published papers, many of which were prepared with other members of the UMich Fastest Path team. He also recently had the opportunity to present a paper at ANS’s Winter Conference and Expo with Johanna Mathieu, an associate professor in electrical engineering and computer science at UMich. “Working with her has been an incredibly positive experience; her approach to energy systems broadened my perspective on integrating various energy dynamics,” he said.

Future plans

Abdussami plans to continue teaching and researching the role of nuclear-renewable hybrid systems and other innovative technologies, including small modular reactors, in the clean energy infrastructure and global energy transition, with an emphasis on the importance of grid stability, cost management, and supportive government policies. He is also currently working on research into nuclear waste management. “My goal is to stick to academia after my Ph.D., as I love to teach and explore new things through research,” he said. “I hope my research can contribute to reducing carbon emissions and framing a sustainable energy infrastructure.”

Another goal of his is to help Bangladesh. “I miss Bangladesh deeply—the vibrant streets of Dhaka, especially at night when the city truly comes alive, the flavors of Bangladeshi food that hold a special place in my heart, and, of course, my family. Every memory and experience from home stays with me, no matter where I am.

“I genuinely want to contribute to the progress and development of my country. So yes, despite the many challenges Bangladesh faces, I envision returning there someday, given the right opportunities. It’s a journey I hope to make, bringing back the skills and knowledge I gain here to help shape a brighter future for Bangladesh.”