Looking back at International Radiation Protection Association 16: A tapestry of moments and milestones

The International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) is a global organization that unites radiation protection professionals through national and regional societies. Currently, IRPA comprises 53 associate societies across 68 countries. This year, the 16th International Congress of IRPA was hosted by the Health Physics Society (HPS) in Orlando, Florida, from July 7 to July 12, 2024, with the theme of “Radiation harmonization: Standing United for Protection.” This event was organized in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency, bringing together a diverse group of professionals dedicated to advancing the science of radiation protection. The quadrennial meeting attracted 1241 participants and featured 104 exhibitors. A total of 252 oral papers were presented across 43 sessions, accompanied by 440 poster presentations. There were six plenary sessions that focused on systems of radiation protection for ionizing and nonionizing radiation, the current status of the scientific basis for radiation safety, protection recommendations, and international standards. The conference opened with a forum for IRPA associate society members, where Dr. Bernard Le Guen, IRPA President, and Dr. Kevin Nelson, IRPA vice president, delivered the welcome address. They emphasized IRPA’s primary objectives and priorities for the 2021–2024 term, including a significant focus on reviewing and revising the System of Radiological Protection. One of the key agendas discussed was IRPA’s contribution to the ongoing review of the System of Radiological Protection. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has initiated efforts to update the ICRP 2007 general recommendations outlined in ICRP Publication 103. A major milestone in this endeavor is the open-access publication of the paper “Keeping the ICRP Recommendations Fit for Purpose,”[1] which aims to foster discussions on areas of the “system” that could benefit from review and to initiate collaborative efforts within the radiation protection community. Following this, Jim Hondros explained the agenda of the IRPA task group on naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and informed the participants about dedicated sessions on NORM that were assigned on the 3rd and 4th days of the conference. Next, Dr. Sigurdur Magnusson presented a brief report on the financial expenditures of IRPA during the period 2021–2024 and also explained the IRPA initiative of providing the Montreal fund to enhance radiation protection worldwide by supporting the attendance of young professionals at IRPA Congresses. It was urged by the associate societies to contribute to make the Montreal fund sustainable and much stronger by a joint funding effort. Next, Dr. Bernard Le Guen provided information about the elections for the executive council members for the period 2024–2032. The five officers nominated for the post, then briefly presented their views in front of the associate members. Afterward, Dr. Eduardo Gallego from the Spanish Society for Radiological Protection presented a report on hosting the next IRPA 17 conference in Valencia, Spain. Finally, there was an open forum discussion on topics from the associated societies focused on sharing experiences between the societies on initiatives taken to raise the interest of school pupils in radiation protection issues. With these discussions, the 1st day of the conference came to a close, paving the way for the insightful sessions ahead. The opening ceremony began at 9 a.m. the next morning (on July 8) with a welcome address by Dr. Kevin Nelson, President of the IRPA16 Congress; Dr. Bernard Le Guen, President of IRPA; Dr. Elizabeth Brackett, President of HPS; Dr. Renate Czarwinski, Chair of the IRPA16 ICPC; and Dr. Charles Wilson, Task Force Chair of the HPS PC. The keynote lecture was delivered by retired National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Norman Thagard. It was exceptional experience to listen to him recount his journey from childhood to his achievements at NASA. He shared stories from his time on active duty with the United States Marine Corps Reserve and his experience as a crew member on STS-7, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on June 18, 1983. This was the second flight of the Orbiter Challenger and the first mission with a crew of five. He showed old photographs, and his eyes sparkled with joy and pride as he shared these memorable experiences with the audience. He also explained the role of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation in providing financial support to the brightest college students pursuing STEM courses. Listening to Norman Thagard speak was an absolute privilege, and I could not help but feel as though I was witnessing a movie unfold as he vividly described his various missions. His stories were not just tales of space exploration, but windows into the extraordinary life of a man who has achieved so much through his dedication. The way he recounted the challenges, triumphs, and sheer wonder of being in space left me utterly captivated. It was an experience that not only deepened my admiration for the pioneers of space but also reminded me of the incredible possibilities that lie beyond our world. Next, IRPA announced Dr. María del Rosario Pérez as the winner of the 2024 Rolf M. Sievert Award. The Rolf M. Sievert Award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to radiological protection, honoring the memory of a leader and pioneer in radiological protection, Professor Rolf Sievert. From 2007 to 2022, Dr. Pérez worked at the World Health Organization (WHO) Radiation Program and contributed in the area of radiation protection of patients, workers, and the public, including medical preparedness and response to radiological and nuclear emergencies. She briefly described her work and shared her future perspectives to the audience. The afternoon session featured a plenary on “The systems of radiation protection for ionizing and nonionizing radiation,” chaired by Dr. Christopher Clement and Dr John O’Hagan. The session included five presentations and a panel discussion. Dr. Rodney Croft, Chair of ICNIRP, provided an introduction to the System of RP for nonionizing radiation. Dr. Werner Rühm, Chair of ICRP, discussed the System of RP for Ionizing Radiation, focusing on key principles and ICRP’s revision plans. Dr. Sigurður Magnús Magnússon from IRPA offered insights from RP professionals, while Dr. Emilie van Deventer from WHO discussed WHO’s views and activities related to both Systems. Dr. Kathryn Higley, President of NCRP, covered NCRP’s history, its differences from ICRP, and its role in analyzing the interaction of nonionizing radiation with biological systems. The next plenary focused on the “Current status of the scientific basis for radiation safety, protection recommendations and international standards.” The presentations highlighted key challenges for radiation protection practitioners over the next 10 years, including challenges in occupational radiation protection, broadening the process of optimization, and the impact of emerging technologies on radiation protection. The 3rd day (July 9) started with different presentations arranged at different Gatlin rooms. It was impossible to choose all at a time, so I had to choose what interested me most. The presentations focused on different topics with the themes “Underpinning sciences radiation biology relevant to radiation protection,” “Communication, stakeholder involvement, education and training education and training,” “Dosimetry and measurements external exposure characterization,” “Radiation protection in healthcare radiation protection in healthcare: safety culture,” “Radon and naturally occurring radiation NORM-Policy and international approach,” “The systems of protection for ionizing and nonionizing radiation,” “Radiation protection in nuclear power and fuel cycle industries,” “Nuclear and radiological emergencies,” “Radioactive waste management in nuclear, medical and industrial facilities,” “Alternative technologies to large radioactive sources,” “Dosimetry and measurements: numerical and computational dosimetry,” “Radiation protection in healthcare: Shielding assessment and design,” etc. In the “Numerical and computational dosimetry” session, I had the exciting opportunity to present our paper on “Particle deposition in human upper airways and trachea”. Inhaling radioactive aerosols at concentrations more than the prescribed limit may result in unwanted exposure to the lungs and adjacent organs. The primary objective of our study was to assess the impact of irregular and intricate respiratory tract geometry on particle deposition profiles. In the present work, we extracted the male respiratory geometry (including the upper airways and trachea) from the ICRP-145 dataset and converted it into a. step file compatible with computational fluid and particle dynamics (CFPD) simulations. Subsequently, we performed simulations to investigate both fluid flow profile and particle deposition patterns (via inertial impaction, Brownian diffusion, and gravitational settling) within this complex respiratory geometry. The output of this simulation can be integrated with Monte Carlo-based codes along with voxel/hybrid mesh phantom geometry to estimate inhalation dose due to deposited activity. This work helps in understanding nonuniform deposition within the airways, which has potential application in realistic dose estimation. Was I nervous? Absolutely – standing at the podium certainly had its moments of anxiety. However, as I began my presentation and saw the eager faces in the audience, my confidence grew. It was a tremendous honor to present our work at my very first international forum, and receiving encouraging feedback from the audience made the experience even more rewarding. I must also extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hiroko Yoshida for patiently recording the entire presentation. It means a lot to me to have this video as a keepsake. I’ll definitely look back on it with fond memories in the future. The other presentations in this session that sparked my interest were “Time-dependent Intra-skeletal Dosimetry within the ICRP Reference Adults” by Robert Dawson and “Computed tomography dosimetry for newborn, infant, and toddler computational phantoms” by Stefan Wehmeier. On the 4th day (10th July), there were presentations on “Radiation epidemiology studies for radiation risk assessment: Methods and dosimetry,” “Internal exposure assessment,” “Imaging and nuclear medicine,” “Radon and naturally occurring radiation,” “Optimization of protection and limits: Ethical considerations of reasonableness and tolerability,” and “Radiation protection in nuclear power generation,” among others. Describing each presentation in detail would be quite extensive, but in a nutshell, they were incredibly insightful. In the afternoon, I participated in the IRPA General Assembly meeting as a member of the Indian Association for Radiation Protection (IARP). It was a new and exciting experience for me to witness and participate in the electronic voting system. After the voting for the executive committee members, there was a vote for the host of IRPA 18 in 2032. The Australasian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS), Brazilian Radiological Protection Society (SBPR), China Society Of Radiation Protection (CSRP), and Malaysian RPA (MARPA) each presented captivating videos showcasing their hosting capabilities. All of them highlighted exciting locations and hospitable environments; however, ARPS won the vote in the end. The following day, on July 11, IRPA arranged an unforgettable tour of the Kennedy Space Centre. Anticipation was in the air as tickets had been prebooked by those eager to experience the marvels of space exploration – myself included. The weather had been consistently sunny, but to our astonishment, the sky turned overcast on the day of our visit. Fortunately, the looming clouds didn’t bring heavy rain, allowing us to enjoy the day without even bothered by the heat. As we stepped into the firing room theatre, we were transported back in time to 1968, reliving the historic launch of Apollo 8 – the first crewed NASA mission to orbit the Moon. The theatre was electric with the tension and excitement of that momentous event. We found ourselves face-to-face with the very consoles used during the Apollo launches, feeling the weight of history as we watched the powerful Saturn V rocket ignite on the screen. The rumble of the engines and the sight of the rocket lifting off from the launch pad and roaring into space were nothing short of awe-inspiring. Although this incredible achievement took place decades ago, the experience felt intensely real, as if we were right there with the astronauts. The room fell silent as the narrator’s voice echoed through the space: “If a manoeuvring thruster failed, if communications broke down, if navigation was off by even one degree, if any piece of the miles of wiring, circuits, relays, or valves were defective, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders would pay with their lives.” The gravity of those words sent a shiver down my spine, reminding us all of the razor-thin margins between success and disaster in the pursuit of space exploration. The day was a powerful reminder of the courage, innovation, and determination that defined the Apollo missions, leaving us all in awe of the monumental achievements of those who dared to reach for the stars. I explored other galleries and joined a guided tour where we gained a deeper understanding of how astronauts took the lunar rover to the Moon and how the command module and service module docked. Although I couldn’t visit all the sites within the stipulated time, the experience left an indelible mark on me. The memories of walking through the historic halls, seeing the actual equipment used in space missions, and learning about the incredible feats of human ingenuity will stay with me for a lifetime. As we approached the last day of the conference on July 12, I felt a tinge of sadness as I left my hotel room. However, as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end!” During the morning session, there were presentations on “Environmental Dosimetry, Monitoring, and Modelling.” Dr. Harald Breitkreutz’s presentation on “Nuclide identification using machine learning in gamma spectroscopic environmental monitoring” was particularly insightful. The plenary session on “Fostering education, training, and competence in radiological protection” was highly interactive. The speakers discussed strategies for attracting young professionals to preserve and develop new competencies in radiological protection. Prof. Yeon Soo Yeom presented his view as a member of the IRPA – YGN (Young Generation Network) and explained the need to build up a forum for international collaborations among young aspiring professionals. At the final session of the IRPA 16 conference, Dr. Bernard Le Guen provided a summary of the sessions held over the past few days. Some of the intriguing research that gained attention included new data on neutron RBE from life studies, advances in dosimetry in nuclear medicine for pregnant women, real-time computational personal dosimetry, national and international protection guidelines, emergency response tools and decision support systems, the Fukushima ALPS project in Japan, and significant advances in computational phantoms. All conference abstracts were published in a special issue of the health physics journal.[2] At the end of the session, Dr. Christopher Clement, who was elected as the new president of IRPA, received the Polvani Bell from Dr. Bernard Le Guen. Finally, the moment arrived when they announced the winners of the Young Radiation Protection Professionals Award. Fourteen nominations from 14 different countries were in the running, each participant nominated by their respective societies – just like I was by IARP. As the names were called, I was thrilled to learn that I had earned the IRPA 16 Silver Award, taking second place. The top prize went to Gabriel Dupont, who presented his work on calibrating radiation survey meters and dosimeters without using a radioactive source. His laboratory opted to use an electron accelerator to produce braking X-rays up to a few MeV for the calibrations, minimizing the reliance on radioactive sources. Third place was awarded to Francesca Luoni for her impressive research on radiation shielding during deep-space missions, including dose measurements, Monte Carlo simulations, and nuclear cross-sections. Winning the award was, of course, an honor, but what really touched me was the support I received afterward. Senior women scientists congratulated me, highlighting how inspiring – and sometimes challenging – it can be as a woman to break through social barriers and thrive in the scientific field. Their words reminded me of the countless hours, the late nights, and the persistent belief that we belong here, despite the odds. Even more heartwarming were the young women participants who approached me to say they found my journey inspiring, proving that hard work speaks louder than background. They shared their own struggles and aspirations, and in those moments, I realized that this award wasn’t just a personal achievement – it was a symbol of possibility for those who dared to dream. It is a reminder that, where we come from or what we we can our own and a space for to that shared of was the of the things the journey was but with all the However, I was to have a of incredible From the and my Dr. to my my but a special a few and – they all had my They patiently to my and my I the I had at the various where I a of A special to the of the potential IRPA 18 with their and which offered Brazilian with their and who their of a to the experience and made the event even more The HPS had an impressive of and even organized a though I didn’t – proving that all a of I sometimes wonder if I could have been more during the conference. However, as I about the I that was just a of the is just what we need to ourselves beyond our and our As Robert “The and but I have to and miles to I It is a reminder that the journey is over and more to to and the of ahead. support and of interest There of

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