DOE Isotope Program Bids Farewell to Exemplary Scientist

After thirty-six years of outstanding leadership and exceptional performance as a Senior Scientist and program manager at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Dr. Leonard Mausner is retiring on July 28.

The Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) name has become synonymous with Dr. Mausner’s, who has played a critical role in its operation in support of the U.S. Department of Energy Isotope Program. His conception and implementation of several major facility upgrades helped boost the availability of isotopes used in high-priority research and medical applications, and his techniques have since been applied at facilities worldwide, bolstering BNL’s reputation in the isotope arena. He has also contributed to the development of several medical radionuclides used for therapy and diagnosis of life-threatening diseases. Among these are actinium-225 (cancer therapy), xenon-127 (lung imaging), tin-117m (bone pain palliation), and strontium-82/rubidium-82 (coronary perfusion imaging).

An already remarkable career was topped off last month when Dr. Mausner was presented with a Career Appreciation plaque by the DOE Office of Science at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s Annual Meeting. He was also recently announced as a BNL 2017 Science and Technology Award recipient.

Aside from his research accolades, Dr. Mausner has been a strong advocate for the American Chemical Society’s Summer School in Nuclear and Radiochemistry (NCSS), championing the program at BNL. His involvement in NCSS will continue into his retirement.

We sincerely thank Dr. Mausner for his dedicated and impactful service and wish him the best in all his future endeavors.