Written by Rylan Gray
This summer, the University of Alabama at Birmingham M.S. in Health Physics students were able to attend The Health Physics Society (HPS) Annual Meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. The annual meeting is a space where health physics come to together to meet, share research, and discuss new issues in the world of radiation protection.
Last year, Emily Caffrey, Ph.D., CHP, program director of UAB Health Physics and 2023 HPS Annual Meeting Task Force Chair, was awarded a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Grant that was able to fund the trip for several students. In addition, Caffrey along with other members of the UAB faculty, were able to help students receive travel grants through the Society to fund their trip. Students who already are professionals in the field had their bosses contacted to convey just how important it was for students to attend. In total, 9 out of 10 students from this year’s cohort were able to attend the event.
“It was fantastic”, said Spencer Lynn, second year health physics student. “I really enjoyed being surrounded by so many people that are interested in the exact same thing as I am, from the academic perspective and on the social side of things.”
UAB Students and Faculty at HPS
UAB students participated in technical talks and quiz bowls, competing against students from other institutions including Duke University, Purdue University, and Clemson University. Students also gave presentations on various topics such as improvements of radiation safety training in a post covid environment, radiation in pop culture, environmental regulations, and improving radiation treatment model quality. Those in attendance included contractors, people in industry, research, and the federal government. People attending had a wide range of classifications from environmental and policy to medical applications, all with the same goal of protecting people from the harmful effects of radiation while maximizing its positive uses.
Rachel Nichols, CHP, with Caffrey and WilsonThis year, the meeting also focused on the serve deficit of students becoming health physics, making the opportunity for UAB students to attend the conference even more special. Students were able to get hands on advice and instruction from health physics from across the country.
The conference provided students with the opportunity to network and see where different people are in their career, allowing them to ask questions about their journey and find out what steps to take going forward.
“From the professional side, I love that I’m able to meet face to face with my colleagues,” said Charles Wilson, IV, Ph.D., CHP, CSP, CSLO, assistant program director, and assistant professor of UAB’s Health Physics program. “I like being able to talk to people who have similar issues and struggles as well as being able to work together to find solutions.”
On Tuesday night, UAB hosted an industry reception that allowed our students to visit directly with industry contacts. The reception was said to be a highlight for Wilson, the students, and health physicists across the country. Kathy Nugent, Ph.D., chair of our Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, was among those in attendance.
“I received many emails after the event thanking me for UAB putting it on,” said Wilson. “It has led to grant opportunities, guest lectures, and even UAB student job offers so it really was a win for everyone.”
To learn more about our M.S. in Health Physics program, please click here to visit their website.
