Hi everyone, my name is Joyce Ang. I graduated from the National University of Singapore B.Sc (Hons) in Physics. I am currently pursuing my PhD in the University of Helsinki (Doctoral Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences) under the supervision of Professor Gareth Law. I am working on the development and application of analytical techniques for environmental nuclear forensics and accident response.

For my project, I am particularly interested in the detection of radioactive ‘hot’ particles. ‘Hot’ particles are radioactive particles in a micrometre size range, which can be deposited in the environment as a result of illicit activities, nuclear accidents, weapons use, mining sites and nuclear waste disposal. For example, the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 released radioactive caesium-rich microparticles into the environment. By studying the behaviour of these particles, we can understand their associated risks and environmental impact. There are many challenges and considerations when it comes to the detection of ‘hot’ particles, which could be classified into two main categories: sample preparation and detector limitations. In my work, I aim to address some of these questions, such as ideal sample thickness, spatial resolution of the detectors, and artefact contribution.