Radiation

Radiation is all around us, from the natural background radiation of our planet to the advanced medical technologies that save lives every day, but radiation is a double-edged sword. While it offers incredible benefits, it poses tremendous risks to public health.

Radiation biology is a vital area of research in the Department of Environmental Health, where we explore the profound effects of radiation on living organisms to protect and enhance public health. Our mission is to unravel the complex biological effects of radiation so we can mitigate its dangers while harnessing its key potential.

Negative health impacts of radiation exposure can include:

• Cellular damage
• Acute radiation syndrome
• Chronic health effects (i.e. cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
• Reproductive and developmental impacts

To better understand how radiation affects biology, our department conducts a rigorous research program that explores molecular and cellular level impacts of radiation, epidemiological studies, methods of radiation protection, radiobiological predictive modeling, and medical applications of radiation.