UNL Summer Research Symposium
This summer, our talented group of interns demonstrated exceptional dedication and expertise by presenting their research findings at the annual UNL Summer Research Symposium on August 5, 2025. Their projects covered a diverse range of innovative energy topics, reflecting both creativity and rigorous scientific inquiry. The presentations impressed faculty and peers alike, highlighting the promising futures of these emerging scholars. The interns continued their research through the end of August, gaining valuable experience—whether it was their first time engaging in such work or a continuation of their academic journey. Each intern excelled in creating and presenting their posters, making this summer’s symposium a resounding success.
NPPD Generation Research Sr. Program Manager and NPPD Liaison Roman Estrada, NPPD Associate Director of Research and NPPD Liaison Alan Dostal, NCESR Program Manager Brenda Coufal and NCESR Administrative Associate Sue Wesely enjoyed viewing the posters and learning about the research during the presentations.
To view the NCESR summer undergraduate internship posters, go to Undergraduate Summer Internship Posters.
Internship Wrap Up
The 2025 internships concluded on August 29. Each student prepared a thank-you letter to their faculty sponsor, NCESR, and NPPD; a summary report outlining their summer research experience in energy sciences, accomplishments, and lessons learned; and a testimonial to promote this beneficial opportunity to other UNL students, encouraging them to apply for the summer of 2026. Additionally, NCESR offers the summer interns the chance to request a $1,000 travel fund to present their internship research at a relevant conference by May 2, 2026. Interns who receive funding will submit a brief report about their conference experience.
The Energy Center is proud to support these bright young individuals on their learning journey and wishes them every success in their future endeavors!
NCESR and NPPD sincerely thank the faculty sponsors for their invaluable mentorship of the summer interns. The dedicated support from these faculty members is the cornerstone of the internship program’s success and growth.
These internships are made possible through NCESR with support from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). The NCESR summer internship program is named after Mr. Darrell J. Nelson, who served 41 years on the Custer County Public Power District and NPPD Boards. In 2005, Mr. Nelson, an advocate of lifelog learning, proposed a partnership between NPPD and UNL to engage in energy sciences research. The following year, NCESR was created with NPPD’s financial support.