Jaclyn Figg
Staff Writer
Idaho State University’s health physics department was only two faculty members strong, but will soon be reduced to one as ISU will be saying goodbye to Jason Harris, an associate professor within the department.
Harris received his Ph.D. in health physics from Purdue University in 2007, and in hopes of strengthening the curriculum, his alma mater offered him a position within the same department.
“It really has all components of a job he wants,” said Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, the associate chair of the department of nuclear engineering and health physics. “He’s evolving in his career, and I think it’s a really good fit for him and for his wife who is also a Ph.D. researcher and found a good position at the university. It’s a good move for them career wise and they are going to be closer to some family.”
For now, Harris is teaching some classes and has prepared his TAs to take over his classes for the rest of the semester, with his departure coming near the end of the month.
“Certainly changing instructors always affects the students but the TA’s have taught the classes before so they are pretty experienced and I think it will be a smooth transition,” said Dunzik-Gougar.
Harris, alongside Richard Brey, interim dean of the College of Science and Engineering as well as professor in the health physics program, have worked together to develop a plan to make the transition as smooth as possible and to get each graduate student through their program.
“People like Harris are never really replaced. We just adjust and keep going,” said Brey.
Replacing Harris has been a subject of discussion recently. The department doesn’t have a set plan at this point but has been interviewing people for positions in nuclear research and once that is taken care of, the department is going to reassess who is in the faculty and what is needed for the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Health Physics to continue to move in a positive direction.
“Harris is a competent professional,” said Brey. “He and I have worked as a team for the entire time he has been at ISU. Everything about him will be missed.”
The health physics program is a subdivision of the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Health Physics. Its focus is to protect people and the environment from harmful effects of radiation, while also providing for the beneficial uses.
The Department of Nuclear Engineering and Health Physics is recognized as one of the best in the nation. “Our health physics program has an excellent reputation nationally and internationally. It is an Idaho gem,” said Brey.
Bachelor’s degrees for health physics have been offered at ISU since 1989 and master’s degrees since 1993. The Ph.D. program is in nuclear science and engineering and accommodates nuclear and health physics students.
ISU’s health physics department programs were among the first accredited in the nation and remain the only accredited at both the bachelor and master levels.
Spread over bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees there are approximately 10 to 15 graduates annually.
Health physics is involved in many endeavors regarding radiation and radioactive material technology. Alumni from ISU Health Physics Program are spread all over the world and are involved with hospitals, cancer treatment centers, research universities and several federal agencies.
“The profession of health physics is indeed a well-kept secret,” said Brey.
Jason Harris was not available for interview.
