For 25 years, the Idaho Accelerator Center has been an innovative ISU research center on the east bench. Built into the side of a hill with several iconic 30 foot high concrete triangles on the front, Center researchers are developing a nuclear medicine therapy to identify and cure cancer. They also conduct isotope research for national security and energy production purposes, and are developing imaging systems using highly penetrating radiation. This episode features Center director, Jon Stoner, and two ISU students from the Department of Chemistry, Jacob Egbert and Matt Cannon. They describe their life changing research and talk about how students are involved in cutting edge research to cure cancers such as sarcomas, prostate cancer, and others.
Guests:
Jon Stoner
After a 30 year business, research and development career in the semiconductor industry, Jon Stoner joined the Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC). Since 2014, Jon has managed a variety of IAC research programs for ISU faculty and researchers from other universities and federal research laboratories. He has earned degrees in chemistry/pre-medicine and physics. Current IAC research is focused on methods to produce isotopes for medicine and other uses. The IAC also conducts isotope and radiation-related research for the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Defense.
Matt Cannon is currently a dual bachelor’s/ master’s student in Idaho State University’s Department of Chemistry. An Idaho native from Burley, Matt will complete a bachelors in biochemistry in the fall of 2024. He plans to complete a master’s degree in chemistry by spring of 2026. He enjoys chemistry because it is interesting, exciting, challenging and rewarding. He started working at the Idaho Accelerator Center in the summer of 2022. This experience inspired him to pursue a professional career in chemistry. The opportunity to make Copper-67 for imaging and treatment of cancer allows him to fulfill a life-long dream–to make a big, positive impact in the world.
Jacob Egbert, an Idaho native and U.S. Army veteran, came to Idaho State University to earn a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Soon after earning this degree, he started a graduate program in chemistry and joined the Idaho Accelerator Center team. He is gaining new experiences in being a chemist and scientist in general. Jacob is excited to continue his education as well as work with some amazing people.
Jacob and Matt both support Copper-67 production and are involved in the innovative drug testing and development research initiative with Clarity Pharmaceuticals.
