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Written by Mohammad Omar Faruque Fahim, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Edited by Jordan Noey, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The Student Support Committee is thrilled to introduce Mohammad Omar Faruque Fahim, an exceptional undergraduate student in health physics. Fahim is currently pursuing dual BS degrees in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences (NERS) and mechanical engineering (MECHENG) at the University of Michigan (UMich), with a minor in music. We are excited to share his unique background and experiences with you!

Fahim is an undergraduate student at UMich working under Prof. Kim Kearfott, PhD, CHP. He was born and raised in Chittagong, Bangladesh. He came to Umich in fall 2018 to study engineering and decided to pursue a BS in NERS and MECHENG and minor in music as a sophomore. It was in fall 2022 that he first learned about health physics by taking the introductory course on radiological health engineering fundamentals, taught by Dr. Richard Whitman, PhD. The idea of protecting people and the environment from ionizing radiation was a great motivator for Fahim and sparked his interest in pursuing a career in health physics.

Fahim joined Kearfott's lab in winter 2023. He assisted Katie Olivas with her research on "Influence of Time Temperature Profiles (TTP) on the Minimum Detectable Dose (TDD) of Thermoluminescent Dosimeters." This project aimed to investigate the impact of various parameters, such as preheat temperature, preheat time, acquire temperature, and acquire time, on the minimum detectable dose (MDD) for TLD-100 (LiF:Mg, Ti Harshaw TLD-100) dosimeters. The objectives of this project included enhancing the accuracy of personal and environmental dose measurements, improving precision in radiation health effects research, characterizing the lowest dose that a system can measure, and distinguishing small experimental changes.

This summer, Fahim will intern at Niowave Inc. in Lansing, Michigan, as a radiation safety intern. Niowave Inc. is a radiopharmaceutical company that "manufactures radioisotopes to cure cancer and save lives." Fahim will assist with operational duties of the radiation safety group and participate in the development and implementation of radiation safety practices. He will provide operational radiation safety support to radioisotope research and development and production and ensure compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Radiation Safety Section regulations. In the coming fall 2023 and winter 2024, he will continue his research work at Kearfott's lab and will also work with the Umich Radiation Safety Service (RSS) department under the supervision of Karl Fischer, CHP.

Fahim is currently expected to graduate in August 2024 and will be on the lookout for health physics related jobs, particularly in locations that offer a vibrant modern pop and electronic dance music scene, as well as a culturally diverse culinary landscape.