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 one of one percent of U.S. Army officers assigned to attain advanced civil schooling in order to accomplish specific mission space. When I was researching schools to conduct my research, I realized that I needed four different engineering disciplines, and I had only three years to accomplish the task. Out of the over 30 schools I looked at, two USF Engineering professors with labs specializing in materials and optimization for sustainability were inquisitive and daring enough to meet 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 we realized that we could isolate the effects of neutrons to a specific material using a unique method that had never been tried in a mixed field. I remember not believing what was in front of me because it seemed so impossible, a true needle in a haystack moment. Even after I reported it to my advisors and collaborators from Idaho National Laboratory and they congratulated us, I still didn鈥檛 comprehend the magnitude of the discovery; it wasn鈥檛 until I won research of the year in the annual XRD conference in DC that I finally exhaled.
This work required myself, two professors, and five other USF students to travel to a Department of War facility to physically simulate the radiation after nuclear detonation. Training and leading the team to accomplish this task three times while I was here was one of the most stressful and rewarding parts of my time at USF. Additionally, since USF doesn鈥檛 have a nuclear engineering department, we had to partner with the top researchers in the field at Idaho National Laboratory. I spent parts of two summers in Idaho Falls 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 institute very much like USF.
What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone considering graduate school in engineering?
Don鈥檛 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 鈥淗owstuffworks.com鈥�, 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 thought in the Army, we functioned very well under stress.