Through a highly competitive national research opportunity, Elliot Steffen ’27 (Physics, Mathematics) gained hands-on experience that advanced important work in nuclear physics and clarified his path toward a future in research.
Steffen came to the University of Indianapolis determined to build his knowledge and gain real-world skills that would help him find a fulfilling career. As a sophomore, he devoted his winter break to applying to research opportunities, including the highly competitive National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). His devotion paid off.
Steffen was one of just ten students selected nationwide to participate in the REU at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Summer 2025.
“The sky’s the limit,” Steffen recalled thinking after receiving his acceptance.
The National Science Foundation’s REU program places undergraduate students in immersive research environments, where they work alongside expert faculty mentors, build advanced research skills, and explore career pathways in STEM. During his 10-week placement at LSU, Steffen focused on computational nuclear physics research aligned with his academic interests.
One of the long-standing challenges in nuclear physics is accurately modeling large nuclei–a problem with far-reaching implications for fields like astrophysics and nuclear engineering. Even the highest-performing computers currently can not model large and unstable nuclei from first-principles calculations.
Steffen worked alongside LSU faculty to improve a machine learning algorithm used to predict the structure of large nuclei. Leveraging his prior experience with Python—developed through his coursework at UIndy—he was able to make meaningful contributions within the program’s 10-week timeframe.
The improvements Steffen helped develop are now serving as a foundation for ongoing research and will be included in a forthcoming publication with his name listed as a contributing author.
The experience confirmed that Steffen has chosen the right path for his studies and career. He now plans to attend graduate school, where he hopes to continue research on artificial intelligence and its applications in theoretical physics, and from there, dedicate his professional life to research.
“I was thinking about grad school, but this research experience was so positive that it cemented my decision,” explained Steffen. “Now I know that I do want to dedicate my career to research.”
As he continues his studies at UIndy, Steffen is still determined to gain as much hands-on experience in research as possible. He’s already started applying for summer opportunities. With the REU experience on his resume, he’s stepping into the field with confidence and excitement.
“The REU opened many doors for me. I’m still early in my research career, and there’s so much more to come.”