Gerrit Botha
About Gerrit Botha
Gerrit Botha is a Thermodynamic Analyst specializing in Xe-100 Nuclear Systems at X-energy, with a strong background in mechanical and nuclear engineering. He has extensive experience in computational fluid dynamics and advanced nuclear reactor research, having worked at various esteemed institutions including Texas A&M University and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Current Role at X-energy
Gerrit Botha serves as a Thermodynamic Analyst for the Xe-100 Nuclear Systems at X-energy, a position he has held since 2020. His work is based in Rockville, Maryland, United States. In this role, he specializes in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis specifically for advanced nuclear reactors, with a particular focus on pebble bed reactors. His expertise contributes to the development and optimization of nuclear systems.
Education and Expertise
Gerrit Botha has a strong educational background in engineering and nuclear science. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Mechanical Engineering from North-West University from 2010 to 2013. He then pursued further studies in Nuclear Engineering, obtaining a Master’s Degree from the same institution in 2015. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University from 2016 to 2019, enhancing his expertise in the field.
Professional Experience
Gerrit Botha has diverse professional experience in engineering and research. He began his career as a Teaching Assistant at North-West University from 2011 to 2015, followed by a role as a Junior Consulting Engineer at M-Tech Industrial in 2015. He interned at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna from 2015 to 2016. He also worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at Texas A&M University from 2016 to 2020 and held a position as a Research and Development Engineer at Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. from 2019 to 2020.
Research Focus
Gerrit Botha's research focus includes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, particularly in the context of advanced nuclear reactors. He conducts research on two-phase and micro-gravity flow analysis, utilizing simulation software such as Nek5000 and OpenFOAM. His work aims to enhance the understanding and performance of nuclear systems, contributing to advancements in the field.
Previous Academic Roles
In addition to his engineering roles, Gerrit Botha has contributed to academia as a Guest Lecturer at North-West University in 2018 for one month. He also served as a Research Aide at Argonne National Laboratory for two months in 2018. His involvement in teaching and research underscores his commitment to education and knowledge dissemination in the field of nuclear engineering.