Great line-up of experts in nuclear applications for the SRC Science and Technology conference

A stellar line-up of local and international experts in nuclear applications will present at the Scientific Research Council’s 31st National Science and Technology Conference this week at the Jamaica Conference Center in downtown Kingston.

The conference, held under the theme ‘Harmony in Innovation: Unleashing the Power of Nuclear Applications for Sustainable Development’, will provide a platform for discussions on how Jamaica is positioned to benefit over four days beginning on Tuesday, October 29 of scientific progress in nuclear technology.

Minister of Science and Technology Daryl Vaz will deliver the keynote speech in which he will discuss Jamaica’s intentions in the field of nuclear applications and nuclear energy.

Among the international speakers are Dr. Taj S Mattu, technical and commercial director of UK-based Thermachange, and Saied Dardour, energy specialist and learning experience designer at Greoux Research in Austria, who will discuss nuclear energy for small island developing states; Jason Harris, Chairman and CEO of TREDIC Corporation in Great Britain, who will present on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the role of the private sector in the shift away from nuclear power; Dr. Justin Spencer, research scientist at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, who will share a Canadian perspective on future microreactors; US-based radiation oncologist Dr. Kadir Mullings from Prime Medical, who will speak on nuclear medicine in cancer treatment; and academic technology transfer expert Arundeep Pradhan, deputy vice president for research and innovation at the University of Wyoming, who will engage the public to accelerate the development of innovation ecosystems.

Presenters from Jamaica include Professor Charles Grant, Director General of the International Center for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), who will speak on Jamaica’s nuclear infrastructure; Dr. Cliff Riley, Director General of the Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority (HSRA), who will discuss HRSA’s role in ensuring the safe deployment of nuclear technology; Haile Dennis, Reactor Manager at ICENS, who will discuss Jamaica’s readiness for nuclear energy, as well as the challenges and opportunities; Dr. Kern Pemberton, radiologist at Kingston Public Hospital, who will speak on harnessing the power of nuclear technology for cancer treatment in Jamaica’s public health sector; and Farrah Hansel Murray, Science and Technology Development Planner, Planning Institute of Jamaica, who will speak on the integration of nuclear innovation into Jamaica’s development goals.

Over four days, participants will engage in insightful discussions, explore breakthrough developments and collaborate on practical solutions that harness the power of nuclear technology for sustainable progress, the SRC said, adding that the conference will also provide a platform for youth engagement and creativity . through special sessions, including the Innovation Summit and the STEM Olympiad Debate competition, further fueling Jamaica’s culture of innovation and scientific excellence.

In addition, eight hours (including one hour of ethics and 1.5 hours of mental health) of continuing medical education credits are available to physicians attending the event.

Conference highlights:
• Day 1, October 29: Nuclear Energy – Governance, Safety and Small Modular Reactors (SMR)
• Day 2, October 30: Nuclear applications in the medical field
• Day 3, October 31: Nuclear applications in agriculture, mutation breeding and SIT for vector control
• Day 4, November 1: Non-destructive testing and expansion of nuclear applications in healthcare and industry

Registration costs US$50 per day for Jamaican citizens, who are also eligible to apply for a waiver via [email protected]; US$50 for international students; US$120 for Caricom nationals; US$150 for Canadian and US residents; and US$150 for other foreigners.