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Broadening academic and personal knowledge has been the focus for Sydney Menne (Nuclear Energy MPhil 2024) since swapping North Dakota for the United Kingdom and a Marshall Scholarship.

Sydney became the , and in 2023-24 completed an MSc in Space Systems Engineering at the University of Southampton. She matriculated at ����Ӱҵ and the University of Cambridge in October, keen to work with Nuclear Energy MPhil course coordinator on his area of expertise, nuclear systems and nuclear space power applications.

Sydney says: “I really liked nuclear classes and research I did in undergrad, and I love space. Last year I did a masters in space engineering, focusing in propulsion, and I’d love to work on in-space nuclear propulsion. This course is more focused on nuclear for electricity production, and I’ve enjoyed how it goes deep technically while still allowing you to look at the big picture and explore other areas. I plan on doing a PhD at MIT next year in nuclear science and engineering, and will do experimental materials research for a nuclear thermal rocket engine.”

First established by British Parliament in 1953 and named after former United States Secretary of State George C Marshall, the academic awards provide America’s best and brightest scholars the chance to pursue up to three years of postgraduate study in any field and at any university of their choice in the United Kingdom. Up to 50 students are chosen annually.

Sydney grew up in Minneapolis and studied Physics and Mathematics, focusing in Astrophysics, at the University of North Dakota. She has her pilot’s licence, and has always been interested in aerospace.

“I love how much unknown there is. There’s so much to explore in space and so much it can tell us about how the universe works,” she says.

While in the UK, Sydney has also been developing her knowledge in industry, working on Hall-effect thrusters with start-up Pulsar Fusion in Milton Keynes. 

Sydney is grateful for the opportunities offered by the Marshall Scholarship. She says: “It’s been amazing. I wouldn’t have been able to come here without it, and I like the flexibility that Marshall offers – two degrees in the same time it takes to get one in the US. I can focus more on what I want, combining both nuclear and space. Being here has allowed me to get a more global perspective, and being both in a college and a Marshall Scholar has given me a community to talk to so many people from different backgrounds. I’m always learning.”