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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Reimagining nuclear materials for the future of medicine
Nuclear medicine has come a long way since Henri Becquerel first observed the penetrating energy of radioactive materials in 1896. Today, technetium-99m alone is used in more than 40 million diagnostic procedures every year—from cardiovascular imaging and bone scans to cancer detection—making it the undisputed workhorse of nuclear medicine. That single statistic tells you something important: An enormous portion of modern diagnostic medicine rests on a surprisingly narrow foundation, one built around a small number of aging research reactors that were never originally designed for continuous isotope production.
Technical Session|Panel|Panels
Friday, April 5, 2024|3:15–4:35PM EDT|Engineering Services Building Room 122
Session Chair:
Amanda M. Johnsen
Alternate Chair:
Branko Kovacevic
Session Organizer:
Jonathan B. Balog
Medical isotopes are essential tools in modern medicine, facilitating diagnostic imaging and therapeutic treatments. These isotopes, produced primarily in nuclear reactors or accelerators, enable doctors to visualize internal organs, detect diseases, and target treatments for conditions like cancer and heart disease. Technetium-99m, derived from molybdenum-99, is particularly crucial for diagnostic imaging procedures worldwide. However, ensuring a stable supply of medical isotopes remains a challenge, driving ongoing efforts to diversify production methods and enhance supply chain resilience. Join our panelists for their insights on how to address radioisotope production challenges on several levels and how they aim to incorporate isotope production into their existing infrastructure!
Michael Heibel
Westinghouse Electric Co.
John Massari
Constellation
Artem Matyskin
Penn State University - Radiation Science & Engineering Center
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Attachment — Isotope Production Bios