PROJECT OVERVIEW
Home Page

PART ONE
Problem Overview
Communication Failures
Technologies

PART TWO
Solution Overview
Tracking System
Sensory System
Communication System

PART THREE
Related Careers
Agere Systems
About Mr. Riley
Team Profile and Assessment


Part III: About Mr. Riley (3/4)

One of the most integral members of our team was our corporate adviser, John Riley. Mr.Riley, who works for Agere Systems, is a radiation safety officer and is responsible for ionizing radiation safety and ensuring that Agere's x-ray machines and other radiation-emitting equipment meets regulatory standards.

Though he has worked on projects relating to physics, chemistry, computer science, and electronics, Mr. Riley’s current field of work has him working as the Radiation Safety Officer for Agere Systems in Allentown, Pennsylvania. As such, he is responsible for ionizing radiation safety, regulatory compliance in regard to their x-ray machines and other equipment that generates high energy radiation.

“Though I don’t specifically cover the lower energies of the RF spectrum,” Mr. Riley says, “I am familiar with the physics. Although I have worked in materials research for many years, my current assignment takes me away from devices and materials.” Currently, his specific function as a safety professional can generally entail a variety of safety concerns – concerns which have become more apparent and important in light of recent terrorist attacks and possible attacks on nuclear facilities like the ones that Mr. Riley monitors.

When our group first began discussing possibilities for topics to explore for this competition, Mr. Riley immediately became interested in a system that would enable nuclear safety technicians like himself the ability to monitor the environmental conditions surrounding nuclear workers, as a well as a system that could monitor the workers’ own health. Mr. Riley adds, “Hopefully our total system, if it ever becomes reality, will monitor those definitely lethal conditions that emergency responders find themselves in every day and help them avoid or minimize the hazards.”

Mr. Riley, who has a Master of Science degree in nuclear chemistry, has over 30 years of experience in nuclear chemistry/physics and radiation effects in materials and semiconductors. A veteran of Agere, he also finds his job to be highly rewarding because it enables him to utilize his highly technical background and experience in the workplace to facilitate the work of others.

A published author, Mr. Riley has written articles on chemistry, physics, computer science, and electronics, and adds, “I enjoy using my knowledge to help other people do things. I still enjoy the analytical challenges associated with a complex safety/regulatory program that calls on me to use what I have learned over the years.”