I am developing a method to characterize a unique radiation field containing both neutrons and gamma radiation. This type of field is only seen the radiation fields generated immediately after a nuclear weapon is detonated or a major reactor accident occurs and in some induced cancer treatment methods. The genesis of the work is from the bombs dropped at the end of WWII. It was identified that some lives could have been saved if medical practitioners understood that individuals received radiation from a mixed field of neutrons and gamma radiation versus just gamma radiation. When I simulated the same weapon on downtown Tampa, using weapons effect tools, it was evident that some population would see mixed fields. Similarly soldiers in battle fields engaged with such weapons will also encounter such a field and survive the other effects but need to be triage properly to ensure survival. It would be critical to identify does that encounter a mixed field versus a plain gamma field.
What brought you to USF College of Engineering for graduate school?
I am among the top one percent of U.S. Army officers able to pursue advanced civilian education for a specific mission area. When I was researching universities to conduct my research, it required research-training in four engineering disciplines, but I had only three years to obtain my degree. Out of more than 30 universities I investigated, USF was one that did not have a nuclear engineering program. However, professors Nathan Gallant, and Nancy Diaz-Elsayed, offered expertise in materials, machine learning, optimization for sustainability, respectively, which was precisely what I needed. Most importantly, they were inquisitive, willing to meet me, and consider my idea for this unique enterprise.
Tell us about a moment when your research or coursework really excited you - when did you think "this is exactly why I'm here"?
When I realized that we could isolate the effects of neutrons on a specific material using a unique method that had never been tried in a mixed field. I remember disbelieving what was in front of me because it seemed impossible - a true needle-in-a haystack moment. Even after reporting it to my advisors and with our collaborators from Idaho National Laboratory congratulating us, I still didn’t comprehend the magnitude of the discovery; it wasn’t until I won a best presentation award at the annual XRD conference in DC that I finally exhaled.
This work required our team of students to travel to a Department of War facility to physically simulate the radiation after nuclear detonation. Preparing and working with the team to advance this task on multiple occasions while here was one of the most stressful and rewarding parts of my time at USF. Additionally, because USF doesn’t have a nuclear engineering department, we partnered with the leading researchers in the field at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). I spent parts of two summers at INL training to collect and analyze the radiation field, and the other part in Los Alamos National lab learning analysis tools.
When you're not in the lab or studying, what are you passionate about?
I have a 15-year-old son who is a drama geek, takes 3-4 AP classes a semester, runs cross country, has a black belt in Taekwondo, and generally just makes sure that I remember he is a younger and upgraded model, so I workout a lot to keep up with him. While I was at USF, I ran the Honolulu Marathon in 2023, multiple Spartan Races and competed in the HYRUX Professional CrossFit competition. When I am not running, daddying, and writing python scripts, I like to volunteer at the Straz Center to usher and watch theater for free.
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years, and how is USF helping you get there?
Five years I should still be in the U.S. Army, using the knowledge gained at USF to support Department of War counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, while contributing to nuclear science and radiation effects through data analysis. In 10 years, I would like to be a faculty in a research university very much like USF.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone considering graduate school in engineering?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help even when it seems like you should already know it, or your want is impossible.
Finish this sentence: "I knew I wanted to be an engineer when..."
The first time I read an article on the website “Howstuffworks.com”, I think it was about TVs. That was a while ago.
How has your military experience shaped the way you approach engineering or graduate school?
I approached my graduate school like a mission, my advisors were treated just like higher ranking officers and all my lab mates were like members of my unit. I think that is the only way I was successful. I was surprised that when I would provide motivation and purpose to a civilian team formed with the same principles I was taught in the Army, we functioned very well under stress.