Czech nuclear researcher continues tradition of Texas partnership
Jan Ullmann, a nuclear engineering Ph.D. student from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen in the Czech Republic, spent the spring collaborating with peers at Texas A&M.
The history between Texas and the Czech community runs deep, from communities of immigrants established in the state’s early days to modern collaborations between Czech institutions and Texas universities. Jan Ullmann continued this tradition by spending the past semester working alongside Texas A&M University nuclear engineering faculty and students.
Jan Ullmann, a nuclear engineering doctoral student from the University of West Bohemia in the Czech Republic, spent the spring semester at Texas A&M.
Ullmann is a Ph.D. student and researcher from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen in the Czech Republic, and he has spent the past three months visiting Texas A&M, hosted by nuclear engineering professor Dr. Pavel Tsvetkov.
Ullmann’s doctoral research focuses on applying artificial intelligence and neural networks to energy systems, including nuclear energy. His work explores how advanced machine learning methods can support analysis, prediction and optimization of complex energy infrastructures and emerging nuclear energy technologies.
“My visit to Texas A&M University is strongly rooted in an already established collaboration between the Czech Republic and Texas A&M,” Ullmann said.
Ullmann’s supervisor at the University of West Bohemia, Dr. Radek Škoda, worked at Texas A&M from 2010–14 and served as the director of the Nuclear Engineering & Science Center. His Ph.D. consultant and colleague, Jiří Závorka, also visited Texas A&M as part of Project Phoenix, a collaboration launched in 2023 between the United States and Czech Republic to replace coal-fired power plants with small modular nuclear reactors.
These prior connections were not Ullmann’s only motivation. He was drawn to Texas’ spirit of innovation and startup business culture.
“This aligns closely with my research interests, particularly in the development and application of advanced data-driven tools,” he said. “I see strong potential in transferring methodologies developed during my Ph.D. research into the Texas energy and industrial context.”
Ullmann’s time at Texas A&M has enabled him to collaborate with faculty and students. He has daily discussions with colleagues in Tsvetkov’s research group, particularly fellow nuclear engineering Ph.D. student Dan Watson, who has been a key collaborator.
“I greatly appreciate the willingness of everyone here to engage in discussion and collaboration,” he said. “I also make an effort to attend as many academic and professional events as possible during my stay, which further enriches my experience. All of these interactions have been highly beneficial for my research and professional development.”
He has also been working with Steven Bowman, a utilities engineer with the Texas A&M University Utilities & Energy Services Department, as part of his doctoral research. This project involves using tools that he has developed during his Ph.D. on the campus energy system.
“This collaboration has been extremely valuable,” Ullmann said. “He has been highly supportive, open and always willing to provide insights and data.”
Texas and the Czech Republic are different in many ways, but they share some surprising similarities, Ullmann said. He has been exploring the Texas A&M campus, visiting other cities on the weekend, exploring local cuisine with his colleagues and adjusting to greeting people with, “Howdy.”
“My experience so far has been truly remarkable,” he said. “From the very beginning, I have tried to observe and absorb as much as possible.”
