Peter Seel

Experience

• 

  Loveland Laser Tag

  Jan 2013 - Aug 2013

  Employee

  I worked as a general employee at Loveland Laser Tag (LLT). I helped run all of the attractions which included: a rock-climbing wall, laser maze, arcade, video game and billiards room, as well as the laser tag arena. I became proficient in handling crowds, watching for adults' and childrens' safety, working a cash register, maintaining a sanitary environment, using a kitchen and handling food, as well as various maintenance work. I additionally worked on assembly of laser tag components when we signed a contract with a production company. This involved electronic assembly, soldering, and painting. Show less

• 

  Colorado State University

  Aug 2013 - Jan 2016

  Research Assistant

  Working in the lab of Dr. Diego Krapf, I worked as a undergraduate researcher to help facilitate the study of biophysics, specifically on the micro-scale. I was able to work in both an optical and a biological setting to delve into the functions and mechanics of cells and small molecules to learn some of their properties to help lead to more discoveries about their possible uses in various fields and to expand the knowledge base of science.

• 

  Associated Students of Colorado State University

  Apr 2014 - Jun 2016

  As the de facto head of the student legislative body, as the Speaker pro Tempore, I was responsible for the management of the student Senate (~50 representative). In this role I: coordinated leadership among the body, received and edited legislation, maintained group dynamics and cohesion, proposed and managed ideas and proposals, collaborated with the executive and judicial branches, as well as promoted student rights. In particular, I headed the organization while we engaged in intensely heated topics about how to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within student representation, including multiple Senate sessions stretching the entire night, in which I supported direct representation from interest groups on campus. I also championed sustainable initiative on campus such as improved bike and public transportation infrastructure, reducing food waste, and improving mental health resources. Show less

  • Speaker pro Tempore

    Jun 2015 - Jun 2016

  • Senator, College of Engineering

    Apr 2014 - Jun 2015
• 

  Colorado State University

  May 2016 - Aug 2018

  I worked as a Graduate Research Assistant in the lab of Ralf Sudowe (Professor of Health Physics, Radiochemistry) while completing my Master's degree in Radiological Science/Health Physics. This involved analyzing radiation data from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Exclusion Zone including remote-monitoring station meters, airborne radiation meters, environmental samples, and JAXA (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) land satellite data. I utilized ArcMap to look at GIS trends in the data and used Microsoft Excel and R to process data. Show less Under the joint mentorship of Drs. Sheryl Magzamen (Professor of Epidemiology) and Joshua Schaeffer (Professor of Industrial Hygiene) I conducted research related to the exposure of dairy workers to aerosols that contained microbes which had markers for antibiotic resistance related to use in livestock. This involved: developing an understanding of antibiotic resistance origin and dissemination, researching the chemical signatures of pharmaceuticals and other environmental exposures. engaging in planning and implementation of mapping and field sampling, and working with a bio-statistician to evaluate the data. Show less

  • Graduate Research Assistant

    May 2017 - Aug 2018

  • Epidemiologic Research Assistant

    May 2016 - Aug 2018
• 

  Summit County Public Health

  Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

  Environmental Health Intern

  As an Intern with the Environmental Health department at Summit County Public Health, I conducted health and food safety inspections, septic analysis, water quality and control with a focus on pool and hot tub sanitation, as well as radon mitigation analyses across the entire county.

• 

  The University of Tokyo

  Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

  Research Assistant

  In the laboratory of Dr. Motoyuki Matsuo, and as the direct research assistant for Dr. Katsumi Shozugawa, I spent the summer as a researcher at the University of Tokyo's Komaba campus. I completed two excursions to the Fukushima exclusion zone which involved collection of environmental samples and field measurements, in addition to ecological evaluation. I also developed a research plan to evaluate the environmental impacts from the nuclear releases through a combination of open source (public) data and personal measurements and samples and presented on this work within the laboratory. Show less

• 

  University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Aug 2018 - Apr 2021

  Health Physicist

  I was a Health Physicist in the Office of Radiation Safety at both the main campus and the University Hospital. I was responsible for maintaining safety with radioactive materials across campus in concert with my colleagues and in collaboration with other safety staff from Chemical, Biological, and Fire. I conducted audits, surveyed labs, taught students and staff, assisted with medical procedures involving radioactive materials, and kept resources up to date for radiation safety topics. I was consistently engaged in building stakeholder support for various safety practices and compliance with regulations. I also regularly used hand-held meters, liquid scintillation counting, and gamma spectrometry to survey and identify various radionuclides. Some specific experiences I gained were: conducting nearly 100 radiation safety trainings, assisting with the evaluation of new approved medical procedures such as Lutathera Lutetium treatments, working the state of Wisconsin on emergency drills for nuclear power plants as well as helping with drills related to the University's research reactor, managing a tritium bioassay monitoring program for a partnered company, leading triage and decontamination training for hospital staff, responding to radiological emergencies in the hospital and on campus, and I taught interactive lessons in two different Toxicology courses to both graduate and undergraduate students. Show less

• 

  International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

  May 2021 - May 2024

  Associate Research Scientist

  As an American Junior Professional Officer (yearly contract, exceptionally renewed for a third year beyond the typical two), I studied the application of natural and man-made radionuclides for tracing environmental processes like hydrologic flow and ecological changes. I was a part of a multinational team addressing assigned scientific analyses in addition to creating and managing our own projects. I worked on establishing research capacity for the analysis of radium and radon in the investigation of subterranean estuaries. This included land and ocean-based environmental sampling in the Mediterranean and the North Sea. Using both laboratory and portable instruments, I analyzed seawater to investigated naturally-occurring isotopes for detection using ionization chambers, alpha and gamma spectrometry, as well as liquid scintillation counting. In the field we were fully responsible for the transport and maintenance of equipment, including responding to emergencies like one of our inflatable boats getting punctured in the middle of the sea. Further, I assisted in quantifying and improving methods for tritium analysis in seawater to support monitoring around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. I aided in other radiochemical analyses for inter-laboratory comparisons, local monitoring around Monaco, and further samples from Fukushima. This involved managing stocks of chemicals and material, planning chemical procedures, managing sample shipping, receiving, and preparation, and results validation. I take a proactive role in advocating for my fellow scientists for health, safety, and funding consideration. Further, I regularly communicated with scientific and diplomatic stakeholders both in Monaco and Vienna to harmonize scientific goals and share pertinent information. I would often explain research at the Monaco laboratories including participating in written interviews as well as in audio and video productions illustrating the work of the Agency. Show less

• 

  The Breakthrough Institute

  Feb 2025 - now

  Radiological Health Analyst

  In this role, I employ my background as a Health Physicist to provide input and policy recommendations for modernizing nuclear regulations in the United States, to ensure the safety of workers and public, while also enabling the advancement and deployment of new nuclear technologies to benefit our world. Whether reading federal regulations, scientific publications, or technology reviews, I am advocating for the most up-to-date implementation of science and risk management and looking to connect with professionals in government, industry, and all those interested in nuclear technology. Show less