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Dr Mathew Johansen

Johansen-Mathew
Dr Mathew Johansen
Radioecologist

Role at ANSTO

Mat is a Senior Researcher focused on the use of radioactive and stable isotopes as tracers of ecological processes. Areas of study encompass the fate, behaviour, and effects of pollutants in freshwater and terrestrial environments. Research is designed to answer key questions relative to operation of nuclear facilities disposal of nuclear wastes, and the ecological effects from changes to our environment such as drought and increased demand on water supplies.

Expertise

Fate and transport of radionuclide and chemical contaminants in the environmentGroundwater and surface water evaluationRisk assessment for public and the environmentEnvironmental program and project management

Qualifications & Achievements

  • ANSTO representative to IAEA Project: Marine benchmark study on the possible impact of the Fukushima radioactive releases in the Asia-Pacific Region. 
  • Senior Researcher in Environmental Radiation at Institute for Environmental Research, ANSTO, with focus on fate and behaviour of radioactive contamination at sites such as Maralinga, SA, and Little Forest Burial ground, NSW.
  • Member of the Biological Working Group, IAEA Environmental Modelling for Radiation Safety (EMRAS) and MODARIA Programmes, focusing on testing and improvement of models that assess radiological dose to living organisms.
  • Member of the International Union of Radioecologists Working Group on Non-lethal Methods in Radioecology.
  • Environmental Scientist and Manager at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Hanford Site, US, with key leadership positions regarding Environmental Risk Assessment, Groundwater/Surface Water Protection, Environmental Restoration, and Los Alamos Pueblo Project among others.
  • Collaborations with, or liaison to, US National Academies of Science: Risk Assessment, Communication, Evaluation, and Reduction Project; US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; and non-proliferation projects though the US- and Russia-sponsored International Science and Technology Center.