What is your official job title at EHS and a general description of your job duties?
I am a Health Physicist Technician working as a Regulatory Compliance Officer in EHS’s Radiation Safety group, to promote the safe use of ionizing radiation and appropriate handling of radioactive materials per state and federal guidelines and regulations. Some of my roles include procuring and shipping radioactive materials, preparing radiotherapy rooms, surveys and decontamination, portal monitor checks, radioactive source checks, and transvac system monitoring in various Ohio State facilities. I also coordinate with other departments, such as Nuclear Medicine/Pharmacy, Brachytherapy, Pathology, and Radiation Oncology to ensure timely pickup and reconciliation of sealed sources and other radioactive waste.
When did you begin working for Ohio State, and how long have you been with EHS?
I joined Ohio State and the EHS team in February 2021, coming from Oregon State University, where I completed my master’s in health physics.
Why did you decide on a career in health and safety?
A career in health and safety enables me to apply technical health physics knowledge in addressing public health concerns about ionizing radiation, its harmful effects, and ways to prevent any accidental or unnecessary exposure. It also provides me with a platform to educate my community about the practical applications and net benefits of ionizing radiation in research and patient care.
What is your favorite thing about Ohio State?
As an institution of higher learning, Ohio State offers a unique hybrid of research and clinical experience.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am a proud dad and spouse who enjoys spending time with my family, traveling, and watching historical documentaries. I also enjoy helping refugees through Swahili language interpretation during my spare time.
What is your favorite: quote, TV show, movie, or book?
My favorite quote is from Martin Luther King: "Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood.”