Background:

I have almost forty years of academic training, and governmental, academic, and private industry work experience in health physics, nuclear engineering, and human and ecological risk assessment. I am currently a Research Health Physicist with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. My expertise includes radiation dose reconstruction, radiation ecology/biology with an emphasis on the biological effects of low radiation, and regulatory compliance.

Education and Professional Affiliations:

I hold a Ph.D. in Radiological Health Sciences from Colorado State University and both a Master’s degree in Health Physics and a Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. I completed a Postdoctoral Appointment at the McMaster University Institute of Applied Radiation Sciences in Canada. I have authored one book chapter, 21 peer-reviewed publications, 10 scientific poster presentations, and 6 scientific abstracts, and delivered 30+ scientific presentations both in the US and internationally.

I served as Chair of the American Academy of Health Physics’ Professional Standards and Ethics Committee (PSEC). In this role, I guided the PSEC in adjudicating an ethics complaint and developing the AAHP Respectful Behavior Policy. In recognition of my leadership of the PSEC, I was awarded the Academy’s 2024 Nancy K. Johnson National Service Award.

My service in other professional organizations includes: Editor-in-Chief of the Health Physics journal; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Radiation Advisory Committee Chairman and Science Advisory Board member; Health Physics Society Fellow, Membership Committee Chairman, Nominations Committee, and president of the Environmental/Radon Section; International Radiation Protection Association Radiation Protection Strategy and Practice Committee and delegate to IRPA 14, State of Ohio Radiation Advisory Council, and Cincinnati Radiation Society President and Treasurer.

Goals as AAHP President:

I want to emphasize and strengthen the AAHP’s leadership in professional ethics in radiation safety. While we seek friendly relations with allied professional organizations, the AAHP is independent and we have our own unique mission. Our focus is on promoting certification of health physicists and upholding the highest standards of professional ethics and competence. To that end, one of my goals is to establish a Conflict of Interest policy to ensure that the leadership of the Academy has guidelines to balance their other affiliations with allied societies and their leadership duties.

I also want to keep the Academy laser-focused on our mission of encouraging health physicists to become Certified, protecting the value of certification, and providing professional value to CHPs. Other societal issues, while they may be important, are not the business of the Academy. I want to make sure we leave matters unrelated to radiation safety to individual CHPs to handle as their consciences dictate.

And finally, I would like to take our message of the value of certification to nontraditional audiences. I hope to carry this message to all major health physics academic programs in the US, as well as expand our outreach to regional partners in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. I also want to explore to possibility of collaborating with other radiation safety certification organizations (like the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists, the American Board of Medical Physics, etc.) on matters of mutual interest.

If these goals align with your vision for the AAHP, I humbly request your vote for President of the Academy.

Candidate Statement

I have been a professional health physicist for approximately 30 years, primarily in academia. I have also been a faculty member with active engagement in teaching health physics courses, conducting research, and supervising graduate students for more than 20 years. My vision for the American Academy of Health Physics is three-fold:

1. Service: The members of the American Academy of Health Physics are the most critical asset of the Academy. To meet the expectations and needs of our members, I will make sure that the Academy and the Secretariat continue to maintain sound services for the members while also encouraging active participation of the members with regards to communication enhancement, continuing education programs, certification renewal process, professional standards and ethics, and special sessions.

2. Branding: The credential of certification in health physics is well established. With the acceleration of globalization, it becomes more vital for our certification to be recognized worldwide. The Guidance on Certification of a Radiation Protection Expert introduced by the International Radiation Protection Association offers several international certification schemes, including the American Academy of Health Physics/American Board of Health Physics. It is my belief that global harmonization and recognition of our certification process will be vital to further the prosperity and credibility of our members.

3. Credibility: To uphold the impartiality, integrity, objectiveness, and quality of the certification process, the Academy’s support is crucial to provide sufficient and sustainable resources to the American Board of Health Physics and its Parts I and II Panels of Examiners, helping to effectively develop certification/recertification policy and procedures, review the applications, generate examination questions, and grade the examinations.

Below are summaries of my experiences relevant to critical elements for effective representation as President of the American Academy of Health Physics. I humbly ask for your vote.

Summary of Academic Background and Professional Experience

I received my bachelor’s degree in geology from National Taiwan University, master’s degree in environmental health engineering from Northwestern University (advisor: Dr. Herman Cember), and doctoral degree in health physics from Purdue University (advisors: Drs. Herman Cember and Paul L. Ziemer). I am certified by the American Board of Health Physics (1999), the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (2013), and the Board of Laser Safety (2008). I am a Fellow of the Health Physics Society (2015) and the recipient of the Williams A. McAdams Outstanding Service Award by the American Board of Health Physics (2022). Currently I am a professor at the Center for Energy Studies at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) and a clinical professor of radiology at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. I teach Radiation Protection and Exposure Evaluation, Environmental Radiological Evaluation and Remediation, and Nuclear Facility Safety courses, mentor graduate students, and perform scholarly research. I also serve as Director of Radiation Safety Office at LSU and administer a comprehensive radiological control program under a broad scope radioactive material license. I have been a peer reviewer for Environmental Health Insights, Health Physics, Medical Physics, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Nuclear Science and Techniques, and Progress in Nuclear Energy as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health Pilot Projects Research Training Program, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation. In addition, I have authored/co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, conference proceedings/presentations, and abstracts and hold a U.S. patent on a real-time video radiation exposure monitoring system.

Summary of Professional Health Physics Activities

• American Academy of Health Physics Executive Committee: Ex-officio member (2021); Finance Committee: Member (2021); Nominating Committee: Member (2020)
• American Board of Health Physics: Board member (2019-2023); Vice Chair (2020); Chair (2021)
• Certified Laser Safety Officer Review Board: Member (2015-2019); Chair (2024-present)
• Health Physics Society Professional Development School on Radiation Safety in Medicine: Co-Academic Dean (2014)
• Health Physics Society Academic Education Committee: Member (2011-2021); Chair (2018-2021)
• American Academy of Health Physics Professional Development Committee: Member (2009-2012)
• American Board of Health Physics Part II Panel of Examiners: Panel member (2008-2018, 2024-present); Vice Chair (2015); Chair (2016)
• ANSI Z136 Technical Subcommittee on Control Measures, Training, and Laser Safety Programs (TSC-4): Member (2007-present)
• Deep South Chapter Health Physics Society: Member (2003-present); President (2006-2010)

Summary of External Health Physics Services

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board Radionuclide Cancer Risk Coefficients Review Panel: Panel Member (2022-present)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board: Charter Member (2021-present)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board Radiation Advisory Committee: Member (2021-present)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board Radiation Advisory Committee augmented MARSSIM (revision 2) Review: Panel Member (2020-2021)
• Louisiana Department of Health: Technical Advisor to Secretary (2017-2019)
• One of 12 U.S. university nuclear energy/science faculty selected for the 2016 Nuclear Tour de France, a biennial event organized by Française de l'American Nuclear Society and Société Française d'Energie Nucléaire and sponsored by ANDRA, AREVA, Électricité de France, and Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (2016)
• U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Radiological Ideas Workshop- Explore Ideas to Assess Impacts to the Marine Environment from the Fukushima Nuclear Incident: Radiological Expert (2011)
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Radiation Protection Standards Workshop- Potential Changes to the NRC’s Radiation Protection Regulations and Guidance in Light of Recommendations in International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 103: Invited Panelist (2010)

Education

IBachelor of Science, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR, 1970, Major: Biology Master of Science, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 1973

Major: Radiation Sciences

Additional Graduate studies in Radioecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 1976

Certifications and Associations

• Diplomate, American Board of Health Physics
• American Board of Health Physics (1990-1994), Chairman (1994)
• American Academy of Health Physics
• Former Chair, Professional Standards and Ethics Committee
• Health Physics Society
• President 2005-2006
• Secretary 1999-2001
• Board of Directors 1996-98
• Served on Nominating, Government Relations, and Program Committees
• Medical Section
• South TX Chapter, AR Chapter
• American Society of Association Executives
• Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
• Chairman, 1996, Treasurer 1990-1992
• Liaison to the American Academy of Health Physics
• International Radiation Protection Association
• Delegate to IRPA-10, 11, 12, and 13, keynote speaker at NORM Session at NORM 12
• IRPA Rules Committee 2008-2012
• National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
• Council Member, 2007-present
• Former Member, Finance Committee, Board of Directors
• Member, Program Area Committee 5 on Environmental Radiation and Radioactive Waste

Experience

• January 2007 – present: Executive Director, Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors-- manage and direct a central headquarters office for CRCPD activities. Advise the CRCPD Board of Directors of technical, financial, and administrative issues affecting the organization, as well as radiological health and state and local radiation control programs.
• October 2004 – January 2007: Manager, Radiation Safety Licensing Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services-- responsible for statewide program for permitting uses of radioactive material, x-ray machines and services, and laser devices, technical assessments, fee collection, and records maintenance.
• April 1989 – September 2004: Director, Division of Licensing, Registration and Standards, Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health—responsible for statewide program and budget for permitting uses of radioactive material, x-ray machines and services, and laser devices, technical assessments, and standards development.
• September 1981 - March 1989: Administrator, Standards Branch, Division of Licensing, Registration and Standards, Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health—supervised development of regulations and regulatory guides and implementation of industrial radiography certification program
• November 1977 - September 1981: Health Physicist, Radiological Health Section, Arkansas Department of Health—performed radioactive material and machine source licensing, inspection, and emergency response operations in a comprehensive state radiation program.
• November 1973 - August 1976: Section Chief, Radioimmunoassay, Clinical Laboratory, Baptist Medical Center, Little Rock, AR—supervised and performed clinical laboratory tests using radioimmunoassay.
• September 1971 - June 1973: Senior Research Technician, University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO—performed laboratory research using radioimmunoassay techniques.

Awards and Appointments

• IAEA--Consultancy on Categorization of Radiation Sources at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria (2002); Chair of IAEA Technical Meeting on Radon Risk Factors (2019); Consultancy on Radiation Protection and the Management of Radioactive Waste in the Oil and Gas Industry (2022).
• National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
• Council Member, 2007-present
• Former Board Member
• Member, Program Area Committee 5 on Environmental Radiation and Radioactive Waste
• Gerald S. Parker Award of Merit, Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, 1994 Executive Board Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Radiation Protection, 1987
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Advisory Committee on the Medical Use of Isotopes, 1999-2004
• National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee, 1994-1997
• Distinguished Alumna award, Henderson State University (May 2008)
• Sigma Xi Associate Member
• Distinguished Member Award, American Academy of Health Physics (2023)

Education and Professional Affiliations:

Professional Certifications:

• Certified Health Physicist (CHP) – American Board of Health Physics - 2017
• Diplomate of the American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine (DABSNM) - Certified in Nuclear Medicine Physics and Instrumentation – American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine – 2021

Education:

• Master of Science, Medical Radiation Physics; University of Wollongong; New South Wales, Australia – 2009
• Bachelor of Science, Nuclear Medicine; University of Nevada Las Vegas; Las Vegas, NV – 2008

Professional Affiliations:

• American Academy of Health Physics (AAHP) – Diplomate Member
• Exam Site Committee 2021-2023 term; Committee Chair 2022-2023
• Health Physics Society (HPS) – Full Member
• American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) – Full Member
• Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) – Associate Scientist Member
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – Member
• IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society – Member
• TC-45: Radiation and Nuclear Instrumentation and Systems – Technical Committee Member

Bio-Sketch:

Mr. Zhang has over 14 years of experience in environmental health physics, academic & medical health physics, and diagnostic & nuclear medical physics. He currently serves as a health physicist and radiation safety officer for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where he focuses on radiological emergency response and provides training in field environmental radiation assessment science. Additionally, he works as a consultant, offering nuclear medical physics and RSO support services for hospitals and outpatient clinics.

Previously, Mr. Zhang held positions as a reserve commissioned Nuclear Medical Science Officer in the Army National Guard, a medical health physicist for a national diagnostic imaging physics provider, a senior health physicist at a major public university, and as RSO for several regional hospitals and clinics, including a major cancer treatment and research hospital in Southern California.

Alan is seeking this position as an AAHP board member because he views it as service to an organization that he greatly respects. Alan does not have a specific agenda for AAHP other that wanting to support the organization as best he can. Alan is the Radiation Safety Officer at Henry Ford Health where he has been working at for 26 years. Previously Alan worked at the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia as a Health Physicist. In his past he supported research reactors, high energy physics facilities, large irradiators, etc. Alan received his Health Physics training at the University of Michigan. Alan previously served as the Secretary of AAHP. Alan has previously been President and currently a board member of the Medical Health Physics Section of HPS, and been a board member of the RSO section of HPS. Alan has supported his local chapter as President 5 times and as a board member for decades. Alan is a Fellow of the Health Physics Society and been awarded for outstanding service to HPS. Alan considers his greatest contribution to Health Physics being a mentor for residents in Medical Physics.

Education and Professional Affiliations:

• BA, University of Colorado; Major: Environmental Studies
• Certified Health Physicist (1996)
• CHP Part 2 Panel of Examiners (1999 – 2008)
• Vice Chair, CHP Part 2 Panel of Examiners (2006 – 2007)
• Chair, CHP Part 2 Panel of Examiners (2007 – 2008)
• ABHP Board Member (2011 – 2015)
• NIST NVLAP Assessor (2012 – present)
• ABHP Board Vice Chair (2013/2014)
• ABHP Board Chair (2015)
• AAHP Treasurer (2019 – 2021)

Bio-Sketch:

I am currently the Senior Manager and Technical Director of Thermo Fisher Scientific Dosimetry Services. I am a Certified Health Physicist, attaining that credential in 1996. I have been a Certified NIST Lead NVLAP Assessor since 2012.

I have worked in the nuclear industry since 1982 and have accrued a broad range of technical, project management, and personnel management experience. The past twenty-eight years have been in the field of external and internal dosimetry. I have been the Authorized Representative, Technical Director, and Authorized Signatory for several DOE, Nuclear Power and commercial dosimetry laboratories. Other relevant experience includes radiation detection and measurement instrumentation, decommissioning, employee training, and twenty-five years of applied health physics experience at approximately eighteen nuclear sites across the US.

I’ve been involved with the AAHP/AAHP for several years and found it very rewarding. I understand the workings of the board’s policies and procedures having spent three years as its Treasurer. During that period, I witnessed several major changes including the adoption of a new association manager and a significant upgrade to the AAHP website. I feel I can use this experience to become an effective member of the AAHP Board as one of its directors.