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With a passion for understanding the power of physics, Will Limestall (PHYS, ASPY ’18, M.S. HP ’18, Ph.D. PHYS Candidate) is using his education to create a safer, cleaner world for everyone.

Will served in the United States Navy for more than 12 years after growing up in southern Illinois, performing a number of roles related to nuclear safety. Following the completion of his service, Will enrolled at City Colleges of �鶹APP before, ultimately, matriculating to Illinois Tech in 2014. He chose an ambitious academic path, double majoring in physics and astrophysics, while also pursuing a master’s degree in health physics.

“Illinois Tech was very receptive to working with veterans using education benefits earned from active duty,” Will says of his decision to enroll. “I feel honored to be a part of a vibrant and diverse community at Illinois Tech….Another factor was how much Illinois Tech works with other entities in �鶹APP—for example, Argonne National Laboratory. We partner with them, and it’s a unique opportunity.”

Will’s first chance to conduct research came while he was an undergrad. He worked with a principal investigator at Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source.

“The Advanced Photon Source is a very large particle accelerator that generates photons,” he says. “It allows us to look at materials in ways that you cannot do anywhere else—not just in �鶹APP, but anywhere else on the planet. It’s a very unique facility.”

Now a Ph.D. student in physics, Will is building upon his wealth of knowledge and experience as a researcher at Argonne. His work primarily focuses on developing new fuels to power carbon-free sources of electricity, as well as mitigating proliferation risks associated with enriched uranium research reactors around the world.

“My research is for helping to reduce and eliminate reliance on fossil fuels to combat climate change while also ensuring plentiful energy for everyone and bringing people out of energy poverty,” Will says.

Will says a highlight of his time at Illinois Tech has been the hands-on experiments that he’s been able to take part of as a graduate student, including the construction, commissioning, and ongoing experimentation of the ATLAS Material Irradiation Station (AMIS) at Argonne.

“The Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System is a world-class particle accelerating facility,” he says. “I have not only gained incredibly useful experience and skills through working on AMIS, but I have also been able to build a strong portfolio and personal contacts that will enable me to find a meaningful and fulfilling career in research, academia, or other areas once I graduate from Illinois Tech.”

Will has also taught classes as a graduate student, both as a teaching assistant in Illinois Tech’s Department of Physics and as a part-time instructor starting in the fall 2024 semester. Though he remains focused on defending his Ph.D. thesis in May, he’s looking forward to applying his knowledge of physics to make the world a safer place, wherever his future may take him.

 “My decision to attend Illinois Tech will probably be one of the best decisions in my life,” he says. “It changed my life in ways that I could not possibly know.”