40 under 40 honorees represent a new cohort of leaders whose innovation and drive are positively transforming the industry. From pioneering advanced reactor technologies and strengthening the fuel supply chain to shaping nuclear policy and adapting nuclear technology for marine or space applications, these 40 individuals are making tangible and meaningful impacts across every sector.

The inaugural (2024) ANS 40 Under 40 list features alumnus Ben Lindley. Ben did his undergraduate (BA/MEng) degree and his PhD at the Department of Engineering. Professor Geoff Parks was his PhD supervisor. Ben’s PhD topic was "The Use of Reduced-moderation Light Water Reactors for Transuranic Isotope Burning in Thorium Fuel”.

The ANS recently published the second (2025) 40 Under 40 list, which includes alumnus Syed Bahauddin Alam. Syed did his MPhil in Nuclear Energy in 2012-13 followed by a PhD at the Department of Engineering. Professor Geoff Parks was his supervisor. Syed’s PhD topic was "Design of Reactor Cores for Civil Nuclear Marine Propulsion”.

We caught up with them both to hear more about their time at Cambridge and why they chose Nuclear Engineering.

Ben Lindley

My time at Cambridge:

Coming from a state school in the north west, going to Cambridge as an undergraduate was exciting but also a bit scary. But once I arrived, it was an amazing experience to be surrounded by so many people who were unashamedly enthusiastic about learning and who helped and supported each other.

The supervision system at Cambridge was also a great opportunity to speak to professors and graduate students in small groups, both to learn the course but also to find out what they researched and get a glimpse into all the fascinating engineering problems that needed to be solved.

Outside of work, Cambridge is a wonderful place to live and I have many happy memories of punting on the Cam (it took me 4 years to figure out how to get the punt going in a straight line), beers at the Anchor, and more games of badminton than I can count (Catz finally won the college league in my sixth year overall, better late than never). So persevere and you can get there in the end!

Why I chose Nuclear Engineering:

I knew I wanted to be an engineer since I was a teenager, having always enjoyed science and maths. Why specifically nuclear engineering? It struck me both as a challenging problem because there are so many different considerations that come together to make a nuclear power plant, and also an important one because of the need for clean, firm power.

I had the opportunity to do summer placements at a nuclear engineering firm in Warrington while an undergraduate (then Serco, now called Amentum) and had a really good experience there. But I really found my passion when I met my PhD advisor, Professor Geoff Parks, as a third-year undergraduate and was introduced to nuclear reactor physics – understanding the neutrons flying round the nuclear reactor core using computer models - that's the coolest bit, right?

I ended up staying for a PhD and have been a nuclear engineer ever since. Nuclear power has had some ups and downs over the past 15 years that made me question if it was the right choice now and then, but its great to see it firmly on the up now, and the Department of Engineering nuclear engineering group has grown tremendously in that time as well. I'm very glad I stuck with it as a career choice, and I've learned that an engineering career is a marathon and not a sprint.

Syed Bahauddin Alam

My time at Cambridge:

I arrived at Cambridge with a background in Electrical Engineering (with a Computer Major) from Bangladesh, with zero understanding of nuclear engineering. Literally “zero.”

What made all the difference was the people. My supervisor, Professor Geoff Parks, and my research group created an environment where I never felt lost, even when tackling completely new concepts. They gave me confidence that success isn't about where you start. It's about curiosity, persistence, and having people who believe in you.

Cambridge became my home in every sense of the word. It's where I earned my MPhil and PhD, where I began my married life with Tuhfatur Ridwan, and where our daughter, Iqra Syeda, was born. The Bangladeshi community gatherings, the Indian restaurants, the late-night discussions with friends... these weren't distractions from my research. They were what made the journey meaningful and sustainable.

The Department instilled in me something invaluable: the belief that I could pursue ambitious ideas that truly matter for society. That culture of intellectual curiosity, of pushing boundaries, of believing your work can make a real difference... that's what I carry with me every single day.

To anyone considering Cambridge: this place doesn't just give you degrees. It gives you the confidence and tools to achieve things you never imagined possible. If I could make this journey, so can anyone.

Why I chose Nuclear Engineering:

Honestly? It started with perfect timing and a bit of luck. I was nearing the completion of my BSc in Electrical Engineering in Bangladesh back in 2010, and there was a lot of buzz about nuclear power because Bangladesh was starting to build its first nuclear plant. I was intrigued but knew absolutely nothing about it.

I shared this vague interest with my undergraduate professor, Professor Abdul Matin, and his response changed everything. He looked at me and said, "Nuclear means zero carbon energy!" I was shocked. I had no idea what nuclear energy really was, but that simple statement sparked something in me.

So I started reading random things about nuclear energy. Then Fukushima happened in 2011. While it was a tragedy, I realised it would create a massive research gap and, with it, opportunities to make nuclear systems safer. What really drew me in was that nuclear energy checked all my boxes: it combined energy, mathematics, and physics all together. It was the perfect fit.

All these things motivated me to pursue a career in nuclear energy, and honestly, I've been enjoying it ever since. At my research lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, we're developing intelligent, trustworthy algorithms for nuclear systems that can sense the unsensed and extract information from inaccessible locations within complex nuclear systems, where sensors are not present. It's like giving nuclear systems a sixth sense, and it's incredibly exciting work.

Speaking about Ben and Syed Professor Geoff Parks said:

"Seeing students you have taught or whose research you have supervised going on to make their mark in the world is, for me, the greatest reward of an academic career. I was therefore delighted to see Ben and then Syed being selected in the ANS’s 40 Under 40. Their success is testimony to the quality of the education and training we offer in nuclear science and technology at Cambridge. Syed was a member of the second cohort of students on our now well-established MPhil in Nuclear Energy course. Undergraduate Engineering students can take some of the modules offered as part of the MPhil in their final (MEng) year, as indeed Ben did.”

ANS 40 under 40

The 40 under 40 honorees represent a new cohort of leaders whose innovation and drive are positively transforming the industry. From pioneering advanced reactor technologies and strengthening the fuel supply chain to shaping nuclear policy and adapting nuclear technology for marine or space applications, these 40 individuals are making tangible and meaningful impacts across every sector.

The list emphasises not only professional achievements but also the meaningful ways these individuals are engaging the public, influencing policy, and shaping nuclear’s future through mentorship and collaboration. The honorees’ leadership inspires colleagues and strengthens the foundations of the nuclear field.