Welcome to the home page of Prof. Karen Vierow's laboratory, in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University!

My research concerns basic thermal hydraulic studies into condensation heat transfer and research of light water reactor safety issues.  My academic and professional work has been devoted to these issues, focusing on the containment pressure response to various Design Basis Accident LOCA events, severe accidents and ex-vessel steam explosions.

Specific interests include experimental investigations of condensation and other heat transfer phenomena, passive cooling systems, accident analysis and design of future nuclear reactors.  In the longer term, I would like to expand my research to other areas including nuclear reactors for hydrogen production, fundamental studies of condensation heat transfer on small scales and thermal hydraulic applications for homeland security.