Reno-based nuclear physicist Taylor Wilson is not your typical scientist.
Back in 2008, at just 14 years old, he achieved nuclear fusion — in his garage. Since then, he’s met former President Barack Obama, earned major awards, and worked on a number of ambitious scientific projects.
These days, his focus is on the potential of nuclear energy and radiation to do good — from advancing medical treatments to providing clean power.
Now, he’s launched a new podcast, Giant Leap with Taylor Wilson, where he hopes to make science more fun, more inspiring and more accessible — not just for those building nuclear fusion reactors in their free time.
GARAGE FUSION
Wilson said curiosity in science is one of his earliest memories.
“At 10 years old, I got into nuclear science, and just kind of went on this journey of discovery and experimentation.”
“I started to collect radioactive things, prospects for uranium and all these things. At some point, I said this stuff’s cool, but I want to actually make nuclear reactions myself.”
In 2008, he achieved nuclear fusion in his garage — well, sort of. It actually took place in a basement on the University of Nevada, Reno. Close enough.
“The physics department gave me a lab in their sub basement. I moved the pieces of the nuclear reactor, and that was a great place to do it. I was underground, and I wasn't irradiating the neighbors or anything like that.”
Since that feat, Wilson has gained national recognition and been featured in major media outlets including TEDx, NBC News, and The Guardian. In 2012, he met former President Barack Obama to present innovative strategies for detecting nuclear material. He’s also developed a low-cost system for producing medical isotopes — among other ambitious projects.
Nowadays, Wilson, 31, wears many hats. He’s the founder of the nuclear technology company Prometheus Industries and also serves as a nuclear physicist for the Wilson Laboratory for Radiation Physics.
Wilson is a strong advocate for using nuclear energy as a source of clean power. He’s also well aware of the risks and past nuclear disasters — including Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima in Japan.
“Maybe 15 or 20 years down the road, fusion power will be more accessible,” Wilson said.
“We're starting to develop the tools, techniques and technologies to really make it safer.”
Wilson is also studying radiation for medical applications by going out into the Nevada desert.
“By understanding organisms that have evolved on Earth that can withstand hundreds of thousands of times the radiation that would kill a human being, we can be better protected against radiation — whether we’re astronauts traveling in outer space or even cancer patients.”
FROM THE LAB TO THE MIC
In May of this year, Wilson launched the Giant Leap with Taylor Wilson podcast. He co-hosts it with journalist, Joey Lovato. He speaks with science experts on topics ranging from alien life, to asteroids potentially hitting Earth.
He hopes anyone who listens will be able to learn something new, while not being overwhelmed with the complexity scientific topics can have.
“I want someone who is maybe a high schooler that's kind of starting to get interested in science, all the way up to someone who has a PhD in the field, to get something out of it, to feel inspired,” said Wilson.
“I think that's why science is so fun, I don't think I'll ever run out of questions. It’s endlessly fascinating, and I hope that the audience feels the same way."
Guests: Taylor Wilson, nuclear physicist, Prometheus Industries
