Graduate Research:
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Graduates |
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WSU |
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| Sara Dumit, Ph.D. | 2018 |
| Chris Nielsen, M.S. | 2012 |
| James Elliston, Ph.D. | 2001 |
| Samuel Glover, Ph.D. | 1998 |
| Suzanne Love, Ph.D. | 1997 |
| Charlene Hall, M.S. | 1997 |
| Cheryl Moody, M.S. | 1996 |
| Hongguo Qu, M.S. | 1996 |
| Mickey Hunacek, M.S. | 1994 |
| Elaine Marshall, M.S. | 1994 |
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Joint Center for Graduate Studies |
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| Timothy Lynch, M.S. | 1985 |
| Duane Medley, M.S. | 1992 |
| Gary Kephart, M.S. | |
The USTUR provides unique opportunities for students who are interested in radiochemistry, health physics, and related fields. It houses data and materials that are not available elsewhere, such as tissues from former U.S. nuclear workers, radiochemical contents of major organs and bones at the time of death, autopsy results, and health physics records from the duration of their employment. These data combine to provide timelines of the intake and subsequent clearance of actinides such as plutonium, americium and uranium.
Recent research
In May 2018, WSU Pharmaceutical Sciences Ph.D. student, Sara Dumit, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, which focused on the development, parameterization, and validation of a plutonium decorporation model. This research was conducted in a close collaboration with European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), Working Group 7 on Internal Dosimetry.
Microdistribution of Plutonium Nitrate
In 2012, Chris Nielsen completed his research on the microdistribution and long-term retention of soluble plutonium (nitrate) in the respiratory tract of USTUR registrants and beagle dogs from historical lifespan studies carried out at PNNL. Mr. Nielsen’s master’s work was published in Cancer Research.
More about Chris’ research
Cancer Research paper
Studies in Radiochemistry and Dosimetry
The Joint Center for Graduate Studies was established in 1968 as a partnership between Washington State University, University of Washington (UW), and Oregon State University (OSU). In the 1990s, the USTUR’s director at the time, Ron Kathren, served as a research advisor and committee member for several students who were enrolled in this program. These students carried out their research using USTUR data, and formally received their degrees from the UW.
Additionally, from 1994 until 2006, radiochemistry operations were carried out at WSU’s Nuclear Radiation Center in Pullman, WA. During this time, several doctoral and master’s projects were completed using USTUR data.
Tri-Cities Nursing Students
Since 2010, WSU Tri-cities nursing students have assisted with local USTUR autopsies. This mutually beneficial arrangement gives students the opportunity to observe an autopsy and assist with tissue preparation, and provides the USTUR with extra help during the autopsy.
In February 2013, Becky Phillips, WSU Graduate College of Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Program, performed a 45-hour clinical research project at the USTUR as a part of her master’s degree program.