NE professor Brian Wirth has been teaching at Berkeley since 2002. He has taught classes in the nuclear engineering laboratory in nuclear materials dealing with irradiation effects on metals. His research interests involve developing improved understanding and predictive performance models of the effect of neutron and high energy particle irradiation on the microstructure and properties and performance of structural materials in current and future nuclear energy technologies.

Professor Minute: Interview with NE professor Brian Wirth

What do you do to forget about engineering and/or work ?

Considering my past experiences growing up in Montana, working in professional baseball during college, and playing professional blackjack during graduate school, my family (my wife Christine, my 13-month-old son Alden, and my dog Keegan), and living in the Bay Area, I have a wide range of enjoyable diversions from engineering. Among my favorites are hiking in the east bay hills with my family, playing with Alden, spending time with Christine, cooking, and watching baseball.

What is your personal recipe for success?

My personal recipe for success is to work hard, enjoy life and to try and roll with the punches, all while trying not to take myself too seriously. I have found that it certainly helps to be able to laugh along the way.

What can a student do to get through your hardest class?

My recommendation is to always attend class, to do all of the homework and reading assignments, and most importantly, to never be afraid to ask a question. I strongly believe that the only bad question is the one that is never asked. I try hard to be approachable and maintain an open door policy to encourage students to ask questions.

Why did you become a professor?

For me, the best part of being a professor is being surrounded by the outstanding, inquisitive minds of Berkeley students in a lifelong learning environment. I enjoy teaching and the process of asking and answering questions in my research.

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