Our Scientists and Educators

The Radiation Safety Institute of Canada has an accomplished professional scientific staff with post-graduate degrees in the physical sciences:

Brent Preston (B.Sc., Physics, Winnipeg; M.Sc., Physics, Guelph) is a Scientist and Manager of the Institute’s National Laboratories in Saskatoon. Mr. Preston provides scientific and managerial oversight for radiation protection, radiation measurement, and radon dosimetry systems at the National Laboratories. He is a member of the Health Physics Society and the Canadian Radiation Protection Association. Mr. Preston is certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program of the National Environmental Health Association.

Tara Hargreaves (B.Sc., Physics and Mathematics, Guelph; M.Sc., Astronomy, McMaster) is Staff Scientist and Coordinator of the Institute’s Training Program. In addition to her teaching and course development activities, she has conducted EMF (electromagnetic field) surveys for clients ranging from small businesses to nuclear power plants. Ms. Hargreaves is a member of the Canadian Radiation Protection Association and the Health Physics Society, and has completed training in Quality Control Testing at the Michener Institute.

Claire Cohalan (B.Sc., Astronomy, St Mary’s; M.Sc., Medical Physics, McGill) is a radiation scientist with expertise in the use of radiation in medical procedures. She participates in the teaching and development of the Institute’s radiation safety training courses, answers questions from radiation professionals and the general public about the effects of various types of radiation, and participates in the development of radiation safety manuals and licence applications for various industries and institutions. Ms. Cohalan is also developing online courses for the Institute.

Don Bell (B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, University of Toronto) is a Scientist and highly-regarded educator. Mr. Bell ’s primary responsibility is teaching and development of the Institute’s radiation safety courses. Prior to joining the Institute, Mr. Bell was head of the largest high-school physics department in Ontario, at Jarvis Collegiate in Toronto. At the Institute, Mr. Bell has also assisted medical and industrial clients in the preparation of licenses for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.