From Reactor to Patient: Medical Isotopes, Infrastructure and Innovation
Schedule
Tue Apr 21 2026 at 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Location TBC | Manchester, EN
About this Event
Medical isotopes and their production represent an essential and often overlooked technology, sitting at the intersection of fundamental nuclear physics and medical applications. From enabling diagnostic imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT, to supporting targeted radiotherapy, these isotopes underpin a significant portion of modern healthcare. However, their availability is governed not only by clinical demand, but by the physics of their production and the infrastructure required to deliver them reliably.
This 'in conversation' session will explore the lifecycle of medical isotopes - from the nuclear processes that define their properties, to the practical realities of producing them using reactors, accelerators, and emerging technologies. Focus will be placed on the UK supply chain for medical isotopes, examining its current status, dependencies, and the challenges associated with ensuring resilience in the face of ageing infrastructure and evolving demand. The discussion will also consider the distinction between reactor- and accelerator-produced isotopes, and how these routes shape both current practice and future opportunities.
Bringing together perspectives from academic research and industrial innovation, the session will highlight how organisations such as Astral Systems fit within this landscape, and what new approaches to isotope generation may offer. In doing so, it aims to open a broader conversation around the challenges facing the field - from production and regulation to scalability and access - while also reflecting the Dalton Institute’s ambition to strengthen engagement across the nuclear physics and medical communities.
Join in person or online.
There will be an talk followed by a Q&A, hosted by Dalton Champion Jake Smith.
About the speakers -
Thomas Day Goodacre is a nuclear physicist specialising in the development and application of irradiation stations, targets, and ion sources for the production and study of radioisotopes. He has over a decade of experience in the field, including positions at CERN and TRIUMF. He rejoined University of Manchester in 2023 as a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. His current research encompasses both fundamental physics and novel medical isotope production.
Tom Haywood has over a decade of experience in the nuclear medicine field, from isotope production through to the development of FDA-approved radiopharmaceutical, Tom leads Astral's stakeholder engagement in the nuclear medicine industry, while also leading the development of medical isotopes.Tom has held positions in the UK and USA, in top ranking academic institutions and world leading industry, leading collaborations between universities and industry partners do promote the development and access of nuclear medicine.
This event is part of our Expert Insights Series...
This series brings together leaders from the Dalton Community and our partners to share their views and experiences across the breadth of nuclear with a wider audience. The series is hosted by the Dalton Champions - members of Manchester's nuclear research community who work to enhance the Dalton network. Champions are based throughout the University, representing the many departments in which nuclear related research takes place.
About us
The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute brings together the University's community of over 195 PhD researchers, postdocs and fellows, and 120 academics. Spread across three faculties, their work covers the full nuclear fuel cycle, fusion, health and social research. Together this community forms the most advanced nuclear research capability in UK academia.
Where is it happening?
Location TBC, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
