The Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute
The Texas A&M University Cyclotron Institute, a Department of Energy University facility, is a major technical and educational resource for the state and the nation.
The Cyclotron Institute, supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the State of Texas, serves as a major technical and educational resource for the state and the nation. Prof. Yennello currently sits as the Cyclotron Institute Bright Chair in Nuclear Science.
Pictured from left to right: Alan McIntosh PhD, Andrew Zarella PhD, Sherry J. Yennello PhD, Jerome Gauthier PhD, Andrea Jedele, Lauren Heilborn PhD, Christine Lawrence, Alis Rodriguez Manso PhD, Kathryn Leeper, Mallory McCarthy and Yasmin Pajouhafsar.
The SJY Group
The SJY Group is made up of undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral research associates conducting research on further constraining the density dependence of the symmetry energy in the nuclear equation of state using heavy ion collisions. Utilizing the K500 and K150 cyclotrons, heavy-ion projectiles are accelerated to up to 40% the speed of light and collided with stationary targets. These reactions are important for studying structure, chemical composition and the evolution of neutron stars and dynamics of supernovae explosions.
CENTAUR – Center for Excellence in Nuclear Training and University-based Research
The Center for Excellence in Nuclear Training And University-Based Research (CENTAUR) is a five-year $10 million Stewardship Science Academic Alliances (SSAA) grant from the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) including universities such as Texas A&M University, Florida State University, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Washington, Louisiana State University and the University of Notre Dame.
REU Program – Research Experience for Undergraduates
Undergraduate student, Layla Bakhtiari, works in the laboratory at the Cyclotron Institute.
The Research Experience for Undergraduates program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to work with a Cyclotron Institute’s faculty member on a cutting-edge research program for the summer.
HIPPO – Horizon-Broadening Isotope Production Pipeline Opportunities
The Horizon-Broadening Isotope Production Pipeline Opportunities (HIPPO) collaboration, sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Isotope Program, exists to expose students to the different activities that are required to provide the nation with radioisotopes needed for science and other applications. We are committed to bringing a diverse group of students to sites involved in research and production of isotopes across the country.
TREND – Texas Research Epanding Nuclear Development
The Texas Research Expanding Nuclear Development (TREND) collaboration, led by Texas A&M University, exists to provide nuclear science research opportunities for students from four Texas universities that serve primarily underserved communities: Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University’s Higher Education Center at McAllen, Texas Lutheran University, and The University of Texas at El Paso.
Medical Isotopes
The At-211 production team (https://cyclotron.tamu.edu/sjygroup/at-211-production/) is working on perfecting a new method for rapid recovery of anti-cancer agent At-211. The separation, purification, and recovery of At-211 via extraction chromatography with ketones has resulted in a rapid, high-yield process, which can improve the availability of this isotope for cancer treatment.