Dr. Shaheen Dewji, assistant professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University and Faculty Fellow of the Center for Nuclear Security Science and Policy Initiatives, has been appointed to the Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board (NRSB) within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM).
The NRSB serves to organize and oversee studies on safety, security, technical efficacy and other policy and societal issues arising from the application of nuclear and radiation-based technologies. Dewji’s research focuses primarily on radiation protection and dosimetry and nuclear material assay for nuclear safeguards and security, making her an expert addition to the board.
Dewji is moderating the Fourth Gilbert W. Beebe Webinar: Health Effects from Chernobyl and Fukushima on April 7, hosted by the NRSB of the NASEM, which will feature presentations and discussions on radiation and nonradiation induced health effects to populations impacted by the accidents as well as potential transgenerational effects.
“Working with the NRSB is an invaluable opportunity to apply my diverse background and technical experience towards providing scientific leadership in technical and policy guidance applied to the safe and secure use of nuclear materials and technologies,” said Dewji.
Dewji is also the department’s only ADVANCE Scholar. The ADVANCE Scholars Program is Texas A&M’s unique faculty mentoring program designed to advance the success of tenure-track faculty who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Scholars are able to engage in professional networking opportunities, develop a career plan, share with research experts in their field and heighten their professional visibility.
“I see great value in Dr. Dewji’s participation in this program by providing her the opportunity to access the academic and professional development experiences, which will clearly promote and support her personal and professional growth,” said Dr. Michael Nastasi, head of the nuclear engineering department.
Dewji leads a research laboratory as well, the Radiological Engineering, Detection, and Dosimetry Laboratory. Her team focuses on harnessing both computational capabilities in radiation transport modeling and experimental measurements using radiation detection for applications in radiation protection, dosimetry, health physics and nuclear materials accounting.