Pradyumna Rao (MMechEngr'24)
2026 Alumni Engagement Medal Recipient
Campos Student Center Recipient
Pradyumna Rao completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering, minors in computer science and physics, and a research focus in fusion energy systems. He was awarded the Ginsberg Family Award for Leadership, Service and Scholarship for his tenure as the vice president of the Wisconsin Union, where he led the creation of spaces for multicultural Greek student organizations.Ìý
After graduating, Rao worked as an analysis-led design engineer at Cummins Inc., conducting computational physics analysis and design efforts on natural gas and design engines. In 2022, he started his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at CU Â鶹ӰԺ, where he conducted research into nuclear power in future power grids under Bri-Mathias Hodge at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute. During his master’s, he was awarded the American Society of Mechanical Engineers's Engineering4Change Fellowship, and he also founded and currently serves as an advisor to AAEIO, a professional development organization for students of South Asian and international origin at the Campos Student Center.
Rao worked as a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory after graduation, where he focused on resource adequacy, natural gas systems and electricity markets research efforts. Currently, he works as a researcher at TotalEnergies SE and serves as a member of the CU Engineering Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Board.