Research Interests

Most of my research efforts focus on making nuclear chemistry and physics more accessible to students and the general public. I've recently published a textbook through CRC Press, which attempts to do just that. If you're using this book, you should know that I've since published a list of corrections. I've also been fortunate to co-author a lab manual with Rutgers emeritus chemistry professor Sidney Katz. Future work includes producing a second edition of the textbook, writing a nuclear chemistry chapter for use in a general chemistry textbook, the development of a 3-D chart of the nuclides for the web, and nuclear podcasts.

I'm also currently working with physics professor Shelly Lesher and biology professor Eric Strauss to analyze environmental samples for radioactive nuclides. Just about everything is radioactive; one of the interesting questions is where it comes from.

Finally I'm also working with chemistry professor Janet Kirsch on the design and synthesis of new inorganic compounds that may also serve as radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceuticals are compounds labeled with a radioactive element. The radioactivity can be used for diagnostic procedures much like X-rays, or as a therapeutic agent to kill tumor cells. The compound surrounding the radionuclide can be carefully crafted so that it concentrates in specific areas of the body. Current efforts include the design of novel ligands for strontium, yttrium and indium.

For additional information on any of the above, contact me using the your favorite medium listed on my home page.