Neutron Radiobiology and Dosimetry.

As the U.S. prepares for the possibility of a radiological or nuclear incident, or anticipated lunar and Mars missions, the exposure of individuals to neutron radiation must be considered. More information is needed on how to determine the neutron dose to better estimate the true biological effects of neutrons and mixed-field (i.e., neutron and photon) radiation exposures. While exposure to gamma-ray radiation will cause significant health issues, the addition of neutrons will likely exacerbate the biological effects already anticipated after radiation exposure. To begin to understand the issues and knowledge gaps in these areas, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Radiation Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) formed an inter-agency working group to host a Neutron Radiobiology and Dosimetry Workshop on March 7, 2019 in Rockville, MD. Stakeholder interests were clearly positioned, given the differences in the missions of each agency. An overview of neutron dosimetry and neutron radiobiology was included, as well as a historical overview of neutron exposure research. In addition, current research in the fields of biodosimetry and diagnostics, medical countermeasures (MCMs) and treatment, long-term health effects, and computational studies were presented and discussed.

The Impact of Military Women in Health Physics.

Some of the finest women in the U.S. military serve with distinction in the health physics field. These talented women consistently rise above the norm and lead the way in science and in military service. There are over 200 military health or medical physicists, 35 (17%) of whom are female, supporting over one million Department of Defense personnel. They serve in the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy. Health physics and medical physics career fields in the military provide a unique opportunity for women to excel, and they have made monumental contributions to the medical community, to the military, and to the nation. This paper highlights just some of the impressive accomplishments of female military health and medical physicists in the service of their nation.

DoD's Medical Radiobiology Advisory Team: experts on the ground.

The Medical Radiobiology Advisory Team (MRAT) is the operations arm of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), located at Naval Support Activity in Bethesda, MD. AFRRI is internationally recognized as expert in the biological effects of ionizing radiation research, training, and mitigation. During the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) response to the Fukushima Daiichi reactor incident, Operation Tomodachi, the MRAT provided guidance and advice to the U.S. Military leaders in Japan. This support helped ensure the safety of U.S. service members, family members, and civilians and supported the humanitarian relief in a coordinated effort with the Government of Japan (GOJ).