McMaster is a nuclear university in Canada. It is home to a range of nuclear research facilities and experts that drive innovations in medical isotopes, clean energy, and materials science.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario’s third largest city, McMaster University is Canada’s most research-intensive university and the country’s outstanding academic nuclear research institute. McMaster Campus features a unique suite of world-class nuclear research facilities fixed to the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR). This is a multi-purpose research reactor that provides neutrons for the production and scientific research of medical isotopes.
McMaster University’s nuclear research facility enables discoveries in medicine, clean energy, nuclear safety, materials and environmental science, providing cancer treatment to more than 70,000 patients each year.
Facilities and services include:
McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR): A medium bundle reactor with an open pool design that provides immediate access to the reactor core for irradiation experiments. Advanced Nuclear System Center (Can): A post-irradiation testing facility consisting of a series of five connected hot cells designed for the reception, machining, testing and analysis of materials. High Level Laboratory Facilities (HLLF): Open Source of Radioactive Materials for Radiochemistry and Other Work. McMaster University Cyclotron Facility (MUCF): 16 MEV cyclotrons and hot cell suite for generating proton-rich radioisotopes. McMaster Accelerator Laboratory (MAL): 1.25 mV Tandetron Accelerator, Commonly Used KN Accelerator, and Lab Space. Canada Neutron Beam Laboratory (CNBL): A national neutron beam user facility with five beamlines under construction. Additional research stations: neutron activation analysis, neutron diffraction, neutron radiography, small-angle neutron scattering, positron annihilation spectroscopy.
Production of life-saving drugs
McMaster is the world’s leading suppliers of two medical isotopes, iodine-125 and holmium-166. In addition to supplying these life-saving medicines to patients around the world, McMaster leverages on-campus expertise and facilities, including the McMaster Nucild Reactor and the McMaster University Cyclotron Facility (MUCF), to collaborate with academic and industry partners on research and development of new radioisotope-based therapies.
Researchers at McMaster are making groundbreaking discoveries in the fields of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Our experts are:
Sam Sadegi, an associate professor in the Faculty of Chemical Chemistry Biology, is working to discover molecular imaging agents, preclinical validation, and clinical translation, as well as clinical translation of targeted radiotherapy agents to treat cancer. James Inkster, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Chemistry and Biology, focuses on discovering innovative and widely useful radiolabeling and radioelectron regulation strategies that he has used to develop PET radiotrarser for imaging cancer, cardiovascular disease and Parkinson’s disease disorders. Jonathan Blumson, a professor at the School of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, focuses on developing ways to induce the immune system of cancer patients to attack tumors. Now, his lab uses synthetic biology methods to induce T cells against discrete tumor targets. Katherine Zukotinsky, a professor in the Department of Medical Imaging and Medicine, studies dementia, prostate cancer and AI with an emphasis on nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and related treatments.
Nuclear Response McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) supports activities along the entire radiopharmaceutical innovation chain. MIP-based Biotechnology Company Fusion Pharmaceutical – Founded by Professor John Variant, Professor McMaster Chemistry, recently acquired by AstraZeneca for $2 billion, it is dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients as the next generation of radiotherapy.
Promote clean energy solutions
McMaster has a strong tradition of work in environmental science and nuclear energy. A key resource in Canada’s nuclear energy sector, McMaster conducts testing and analysis of the components of nuclear power plants. The university is also promoting research and training in small modular reactors (SMRS). It is a clean and reliable source of nuclear energy and a key technology in the fight against climate change. Facilities like the Advanced Nuclear System Center (Can) and research institutes such as the McMaster Energy Research Institute (MIES) promote nuclear, materials, safety and storage innovations.
Includes in-service components from nuclear reactors
The McMaster Researchers Pioneering Clean Energy Solutions are:
Dave Novog, a professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Physics, is a world-renowned expert on nuclear safety. Novog is spearheading research into SMR fuel performance and leads the small modular Advanced Reactor Training (SMART) program. James Cotton, a professor in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, is a leading expert in emerging fields of thermal energy recovery, storage and management, and leads McMaster’s integrated community energy and harvest (ice carbohydrates) project. Keena Trowell, a professor in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, is examining metal water reactions as a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while driving remote communities with renewable energy. Joey Kisch, a professor in the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, leads the McMaster team in applied research to enhance the performance of structural materials in SMRS.
Ensuring the future of neutron beam science
McMaster’s nuclear facility, combined with other campus resources, such as the Blockhouse Materials Institute, has positioned the university as a global leader in neutron scattering and material characterization.
With investments from the Canadian Foundation Innovation Foundation and six provincial governments, McMaster and Neutrons Canada have launched Canada’s Neutron Beam Laboratory (CNBL). This is McMaster’s new facility suite designed to advance Canadian neutron research. CNBL will build new guide holes, two new beamlines and three new neutron beam equipment to meet the needs of the materials research community, and discover clean energy, superconductors, advanced manufacturing, biomaterials and quantum materials in advance.
McMaster’s materials science experts include:
Bruce Garlin, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is an experimental condensed material physicist who works in the general field of scattering studies of exotic ground states of new, almost magnetic materials. Pat Clancy, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, uses complementary X-ray and neutron scattering techniques to study the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of new materials. Professors of Engineering Physics Andy Knights and Peter Mascher have established a positron beamline used to characterize nanoscale materials, an essential tool for developing next-generation semiconductors, photonics, and advanced communications technologies.
Building the nuclear workforce of tomorrow
McMaster is dedicated to preparing young engineers, scientists and medical leaders for their careers in the evolving nuclear industry. The offering of over 60 courses focused on nuclear chemistry, technology, medicine, radiology research, environmental protection and more allows students to gain a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience to succeed on professional pathways. Furthermore, our industry connections mean that students can interact with leading nuclear companies and academic institutions through networking opportunities, sector-specific learning programs, and collaborative research projects with nuclear experts around the world.
McMaster is proud to launch a minor in nuclear research and society in September 2025. This is a new program designed to help undergraduates gain knowledge and skills to tackle key nuclear challenges and opportunities.
This article will also be featured in the 22nd edition of Quarterly Publication.
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