• Chemists work in the lab
  • Chemist looks at a vial
  • Chemist looks through a laser
  • Chemist looks through microscope
  • Chemists wash tools at the sink

Radiochemistry

About the Program

Radiochemistry is the discipline dedicated to the study of the chemical and physical properties of radioactive elements. Radiochemists utilize both the radioactive and chemical characteristics of elements and compounds to address technical needs in many areas, including:

  • The speciation and behavior of containments in the environment
  • Radioactive waste treatment and disposal
  • Beneficial uses of radioactive materials throughout the medical profession

The field demands that professionals in this area have a thorough understanding of both the theoretical and applied aspects of radiochemistry that are well founded in basic sciences and mathematics.

The UNLV Radiochemistry program is committed to student research. The growing and expanding program has graduate students engaged in research paying an initial stipend of $25,000/year, including full tuition, fees, and health insurance.

Laboratories

The RadChem program collaborates with several national and international laboratories including Argonne National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Nevada Site Office, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and others.

The program has over 7,500 square feet of radiochemistry laboratories capable of handling a range of activities. These facilities contain a host of experimental equipment for use in experiments:

  • Radionuclide counting facilities: Gamma detectors, alpha detectors, scintillation counter
  • Spectroscopy: Infrared, UV-Visible, Laser, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, Synchrotron (at national facilities)
  • X-ray diffraction: Powder, Single Crystal
  • Microscopy: Scanning, Tunneling
  • Analytical: ICP-Atomic Emission, ICP-Mass spectroscopy, Electrospray

UNLV is the ideal location for graduate radiochemistry research. The Radiochemistry Ph.D. program has numerous ties to national and international laboratories, providing opportunities for internships and travel. The program has the capability and expertise to perform experiments with radionuclides, and is close to the Nevada Test Site and Yucca Mountain. Las Vegas offers all the opportunities of a 24-hour city and a range of outdoor activities, including world-class hiking and mountain biking.

Laboratory Management

The Radiochemistry Program at UNLV has certified processes to ensure that our lab results are accurate and reliable. Our staff works to make certain we have a safe working environment for UNLV students, faculty, researchers and visitors. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program including laboratory management, equipment maintenance and safety training as well as the business functions of the unit. Radiochemistry personnel guide students in the areas of laboratory policies and procedures, safety training, and university policies and procedures regarding academic advancement.

Contact

Mailing Address

University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies
Box 454009
4505 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-4009

Phone

702-895-1458

Fax

702-895-1907

Email

radiochemistry@unlv.edu

Campus Location

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art and Harry Reid Center (MSM), Room 311

Office Hours

Monday through Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Faculty/Staff

Ken Czerwinski

Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/Radiochemistry
Ken Czerwinski
Office: MSM-HRC 313
Mail Code: 4009
Phone: 702-895-0501

Zhange Feng

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/Radiochemistry
Office: SEB 2178
Mail Code: 4003
Phone: 702-895-5729

Paul Forster

Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/Radiochemistry
Paul Forster
Office: SEB 2139
Mail Code: 4003
Phone: 702-895-3753

Art Gelis

Associate Professor;
Director, Radiochemistry Program
A man smiling
Office: MSM-HRC 315
Mail Code: 4009
Phone: 702-895-2640

David Hatchett, Ph.D.

Executive Director of Research Infrastructure
Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/Radiochemistry
Headshot of David Hatchett
Office: FDH 308
Mail Code: 1092
Phone: 702-895-0213

Wendee Johns

Academic Program Manager
A headshot of Wendee Johns
Office: MSM-HRC 311
Mail Code: 4009
Phone: 702-895-1458

Eunja Kim

Assistant Research Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy/Radiochemistry
Eunja Kim headshot
Office: BPB 203
Mail Code: 4002
Phone: 702-895-1706

Daniel Koury

Assistant Research Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/Radiochemistry
Daniel Koury headshot
Office: MSM-HRC 243
Mail Code: 4009
Phone: 702-895-5540

Frederic Poineau

Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry/Radiochemistry
Frederic Poineau
Office: MSM-HRC 309
Mail Code: 4009
Phone: 702-895-5351

Cory Rusinek

Assistant Professor
A man in a suit smiling
Office: SEB 2134
Mail Code: 4003
Phone: 702-774-1483