Bio
Dr. Benjamin D. Roach is a senior R&D radioanalytical chemist and Group Leader for the Isotope Applications Research (IAR) Group in the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The IAR group is a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing the production, isolation, characterization, and application of radioisotopes produced through ORNL’s isotope production capabilities, including the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and other national laboratory facilities. The group brings together expertise spanning radiochemistry, nuclear engineering, organic chemistry, and biology to support national missions in energy, security, space exploration, and medicine, including radioisotope power systems, nuclear battery development, next-generation reactor fuels, and targeted alpha therapy.
Dr. Roach has more than 15 years of experience in nuclear chemistry, radiochemical analysis, isotope production, and analytical method development. His expertise includes radioanalytical chemistry, separation science, actinide and fission product separations, mass spectrometry, alpha and gamma spectroscopy, ICP-MS, nuclear forensics, post-irradiation examination, and the safe handling and characterization of highly radioactive materials. His work spans the nuclear fuel cycle, from fuel qualification and high-burnup spent fuel characterization to nuclear waste remediation, nonproliferation, safeguards, and medical isotope production.
Over his career at ORNL, Dr. Roach has supported and led analytical efforts for major national programs, including Cf-252 production, Pu-238 production for NASA radioisotope power systems, U-233 recovery and recycle, high-burnup spent fuel examination, and Ac-225 production for targeted cancer therapy. He most recently served as the R&D Coordination and Integration Lead for the DOE Isotope Program’s Accelerator-Produced Actinium-225 Tri-Lab Project, coordinating more than 20 research efforts across ORNL, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory to improve and expand Ac-225 production. He also serves as Deputy Research Integration Coordinator for the UT–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, supporting cross-directorate research alignment, student engagement, joint proposal development, and integration between ORNL and the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Roach has authored more than 60 publications in analytical chemistry, isotope production, radiochemistry, and separation science. He is a three-time recipient of the Secretary of Energy Achievement Award, recognized for contributions to nuclear waste remediation in 2013, Pu-238 production supporting NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover mission in 2021, and accelerator-produced Ac-225 for medical isotope production in 2024. He also received a 2025 DOE Office of Science Certificate of Appreciation for leadership, coordination, and communication in the multi-laboratory Accelerator-Produced Ac-225 R&D effort.