Career Spotlight: Radiochemist

What is a Radiochemist?

Think of Marie Curie and her husband, Pierre—the chemists who discovered radioactivity and used it to fight cancer. Think of Lisa Meitner who discovered that atoms could be split in half. Radiochemists study the power of nuclear energy on the small scale which leads to the nuclear technologies that we use today. They explore the chemical properties of radioactive elements and test their applications for things like medical use to fight cancer. They work in international laboratories, medical research facilities, and government agencies. Radiochemists are curious about the link between nuclear energy and human biology. They work to discover the ways nuclear energy impacts our bodies and help develop protocols for how to best work with the powerful force of nuclear radiation.

What do radiochemists do?

Radiochemists study the behavior of atoms and molecules in order to understand important characteristics of nuclear energy and how it behaves. Radiochemists often work with radioactive isotopes, which are variations on the atomic structures of elements. Different isotopes have different properties and uses. Radiochemists study these isotopes in order to build new applications

How do I become a radiochemist?

Radiochemists earn college degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, or similar fields and then go on to work in research labs. Radiochemists should be interested in chemistry and math along with physics and engineering. Students can also join the American Nuclear Society in order to network with other students and professionals in the nuclear field.

Q&A with Radiochemist: M. Alex Brown, PhD

M. Alex Brown, PhD is a chemist working with Argonne National Laboratory. His research specialties are nuclear medicine and nuclear waste. His work leads to real-world innovations in fields like cancer care. Brown’s career in nuclear chemistry has led to exciting applications in healthcare.

He has partnered with medical professionals and hospitals to merge the fields of medicine and nuclear science. Brown received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, his Master’s in Radiation Physics and his PhD in Radiochemistry.

His background in chemistry and physics has led him to work on many important research projects, including the production of nuclear isotopes that can destroy cancer and other infectious diseases.

With great power…comes great responsibility! Brown notes that nuclear chemists have a moral duty to promote peaceful uses of nuclear technology and dispel negative and harmful myths about nuclear energy.

What exciting projects and innovations you have worked on?

The most exciting project of mine to date has been the focus on producing nuclear medicines used in the treatment of cancer and various diseases. Collaborating with cancer centers and hospitals has been particularly challenging and exciting throughout my career.

What skills are required in your position on a day-to-day basis?

A basic understanding of math, nuclear science, chemistry, and physics is required to enhance my research focus areas. But more importantly, being enthusiastic about nuclear science as well as conducting outreach to the communities and next generations of scientists are critical components.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy nuclear science outreach for high schools and universities. I also enjoy snowboarding, travelling, and exploring every corner of Chicago.

What educational preparation would you recommend for someone who wants to enter this field?

Excelling in math and science is important for a student interested in the nuclear sciences. Read, ask questions, and engage in as many activities as possible related to your field of interest. But most of all, be curious!

What qualifications do you seek in a new hire or colleague?

Curiosity and enthusiasm come first. Perfect grades and test scores, though important, don’t always reflect the best scientists.

From your experience, how do most people enter this profession?

Nuclear scientists and engineers generally have a background in (any!) type of science or engineering. This can include math, physics, chemistry, mechanical or chemical engineering, as well as many other technical disciplines.

Are there professional organizations or events that teens and college students can join/participate in?

ANS is an important organization that promotes nuclear science and technology. They engage in outreach within the communities and universities. They are diverse, understanding, and efficient in meeting their goals of spreading the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

More About Nuclear Medicine Careers

Discoveries based on nuclear science have dramatically improved both longevity and quality of life. Nuclear medicine benefits over 35,000 patients daily in the U.S. in our hospitals and medical clinics.

Here are just a few ways nuclear science has a considerable impact on current medical practice:

  • Physicians rely on x-rays to diagnose tumors without the need of invasive surgery.
  • Radiation is used to treat leukemia and other types of cancer.
  • More than half of all medical equipment used in hospitals is sterilized with radiation.
  • Radioisotopes are used in the development of more than 80 percent of all new drugs.

In addition, radiation techniques have played a key role in twelve of the last fifteen Nobel Prizes awarded for medicine and physiology. Over the past few years alone, great strides have been made by nuclear engineers and health physicists in the production of radioisotopes that are used for medical diagnostics and treatments.

Nuclear medicine and biology studies can lead to a wide range of challenging careers such as:

  • Physicians–many fields of medicine use radiation to diagnose and treat diseases.
    • Nuclear medicine radiologists, also called nuclear radiologists, are physicians who use radioactive materials, called radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat disease.
    • Radiation oncologists specialize in using radiation therapy to treat cancer.
    • Interventional radiologists perform interventions using radiological imaging, allowing for minimally invasive treatments.
  • Nuclear pharmacists specialize in preparing and dispensing radiopharmaceuticals. Nuclear pharmacists can work in hospitals, nuclear pharmacies, industry, and research institutes.
  • Technicians are needed in many nuclear medicine fields. Nuclear medicine technicians work with physicians to prepare patients for treatment with radiopharmaceuticals; some perform imaging procedures. Diagnostic radiation technicians perform many imaging procedures, such as X-rays, and assist with many others.

Nuclear Medicine Jobs in Health Physics

Health physics is the field devoted to protecting people and their environment from potential radiation hazards, while making it possible to enjoy the benefits of the peaceful use of the atom. Degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level are offered by approximately thirty universities in the United States and Canada. The health physics curriculum includes radiation interaction and detection, dosimetry, radiation protection and standards, risk assessment, radiation emergency management, environmental monitoring and assessment, and nuclear waste management.

Health physicists must be detail-orientated, interested in protecting and helping others, and have had some science and mathematics. Because of the care these well-trained individuals take, nuclear workers know their health and safety is monitored, carefully measured, and strictly controlled.

As a health physicist, you may…

  • Monitor work areas and workers for radiation.
  • Train workers in the use of protective clothing and equipment.
  • Analyze readings from monitoring devices.