Student’s Radiation Research Receives American Chemical Society Accolade

A student’s research into the long-term clean-up of nuclear waste recently earned him national recognition from the American Chemical Society.

Specifically, Jordan Stanberry, who enters the Chemistry doctorate program this fall, is exploring ways to contain the spread of a major pollutant in nuclear waste called Technetium-99. He is currently confirming a methodology to make Technetium-99 insoluble and less likely to contaminate the water table and nearby waterways.

Stanberry’s research made him one of 20 awarded nationally with the American Chemical Society’s Undergraduate Student Award in Environmental Chemistry.

“I was pretty shocked to receive the award. I had been performing research a little under a year, so it was pretty amazing to receive an award from an institution as renowned as ACS,” Stanberry said.

Stanberry said he’s always found radiochemistry interesting, so this project was a great match for his curiosity. The long-term impact of this research holds big potential for protecting the environment.

Stanberry credits his mentor, Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, Ph.D., assistant professor Chemistry, for encouraging him and pushing his research.

“He really cares about the success and achievements of his students,” Stanberry said.