Markus Baur, of Rolla, earned a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering at Missouri S&T in May 2025 and will complete his master’s degree at an accelerated pace this spring. Here is a Q&A with Baur in commemoration of National Engineers Week 2026.

Growing up in Rolla, Missouri S&T has always been part of your surroundings. How did that influence your path into engineering?
Missouri S&T had a strong influence on my decision to become an engineer. I first attended Inventor Camp at age 6, followed by Odyssey of the Mind, Aerospace Camp and eventually Nuclear Engineering Camp at S&T, which solidified my desire to pursue nuclear engineering. I was also part of an accelerated math program offered in partnership with S&T, which gave me a strong foundation and a head start in math.

You graduated from S&T with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering in May 2025, and your graduation cap included a small nuclear power plant, complete with lights and simulated steam coming from the smokestacks. The public clearly enjoyed it, as it went semi-viral on social media — but how did your son, Nikolas, who was 2 at the time, react to it?
Nikolas loved it! While testing and building it throughout that semester, he was a constant shadow. He also helped me troubleshoot the smoke when building the cooling towers, as the diffusers weren’t working correctly. He figured out that the diffuser wasn’t making perfect contact with the circuit when he pushed down on the top of the diffuser and a cloud of water suddenly arose from the system. Currently, it sits above my desk, but he has already asked to have it as a night light when he is older.

After earning your bachelor’s degree, you decided to finish a master’s degree here at an accelerated pace and will graduate again this May. What excites you most about this next stage of your academic and professional journey?
I am most excited to begin working with the nuclear industry on the many amazing projects they are working on. Last summer, I was given a fantastic internship with BWXT’s Advanced Technology division and saw what all nuclear power is being used for and what the industry is capable of, and I am beyond excited to become a part of it. Although I am not ruling out a Ph.D. in the future, I think the experience I will gain from some time in the industry will be phenomenal.

The 2026 Engineers Week theme is “Transform Your Future.” What fuels your passion for nuclear engineering, and how do you anticipate your work in the field connecting with this theme?
My passion for nuclear energy is fueled by my want for a reliable, clean and safe energy. As we continue to watch the negative effects of greenhouse gases around the world, nuclear stands head and shoulders above the competition as a safe and clean method of generating electricity. As nuclear power continues to grow, it will absolutely transform our future.

What advice would you give students who are pursuing engineering degrees while balancing major responsibilities outside the classroom?
Your success is from your team. During my time in school, I tackled a lot: jobs, multiple student organizations, being a dad and eventually, my graduation. I would be foolish to say I did it alone. From family to faith to friends to mentors to professors, these individuals allowed me to succeed. At the end of the day, your success will be determined by your support network, and the better the network you have, the better you will do.