One chemistry professor's role in increasing radioisotope production in the U.S.
The work of a chemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is helping to blaze the trail of reducing the United States’ dependence on foreign countries for vital medical isotopes.
Over the last four years, five students who have trained under UWM Chemistry Professor Mark Dietz have been recruited by NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes and SHINE Medical Technologies (both located in Wisconsin) to assist in the production of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), a critical radioisotope that is utilized for millions of patients undergoing diagnostic imaging every year.
For years, isotope supply disruptions abroad have caused procedure delays in the U.S. These disruptions prompted the Department of Energy to promote medical isotope production domestically around 10 years ago. NorthStar and SHINE both sought to address this need over the last several years but needed the expertise of chemists trained specifically in the separation of nuclear materials.
That’s where the work of Professor Dietz comes into play. Five graduates of his research group—Kevin Wolters, James Wankowski, Mohammed Abdul Momen, Michael Kaul and Cory Hawkins—all of whom were trained in separating radioactive materials, have been hired by NorthStar and Shine over the last four years to assist with and potentially increase the production of Mo-99 in the U.S.
The issue of relying on foreign countries to produce vital medical materials has been especially prevalent during the last several months. When a high flux reactor in Petten, the Netherlands, unexpectedly halted production in January of 2022, supply shortages of Mo-99 and Lu-177 persisted for more than a month while an emergency response team repaired the damaged reactor. More recently, COVID lockdowns in Shanghai, China, put production of iodinated contrast media used routinely for many imaging procedures on hold, resulting in a nationwide shortage of the material and forcing patients to postpone critically needed exams.
Accumulatively, these events and others have sparked a national conversation on supply chains and the United States’ dependence on foreign countries to produce much needed medical materials—an issue that Professor Dietz is playing a role in addressing in his work with his students.
“UWM and its graduates have contributed to Wisconsin employers’ ability to solve an issue of national importance,” Dietz said of his graduates.
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In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She joined Innovate Healthcare in 2021 and has since put her unique expertise to use in her editorial role with Health Imaging.