Rhinos to Radioprotection: Hamilton Hosts Unforgettable CRPA Conference Packed with Science, Fun, and Firsts

Greetings! Wow, what a summer! Fall is upon us, but the heat from the last few months is still sizzling on my skin—as is the memory of this year’s conference. I hope you attended; if you missed it, it was one for the books. Let me share some of the highlights.

The CRPA 2025 conference was held in Hamilton, ON, and the hosts were a great hard-working group of McMaster University staff and students, as well as a few others from Toronto proper and Winnipeg, who pitched in to help put together a great event.

One of the highlights was the opening keynote address from Professor James Larkin, who gave a talk about the Rhisotope Project he started in South Africa. It turns out, nuclear science may just be the answer to saving the rhinos! The conference included many amazing training sessions and tours—three days of plenary sessions and three nights of great themed hospitality. There was something for everyone—karaoke, trivia, and game nights. Cornhole anyone?

Along with the welcome and exhibitors’ receptions, the days were jam-packed with learning and fantastic food. And let’s not forget the annual awards ceremony and banquet held at the Canadian Warplane museum, where attendees got to relax and enjoy some mind-blowing magic from illusionist X. Ray—one of Toronto’s most sought-after entertainers (don’t ask me, ask Russell Peters!).

The conference included some firsts, like a different style and feel for the venue, which featured theatre-style seating; a raffle for an amazing glow-in-the-dark charcuterie board, hand carved and crafted by our own outgoing CRPA president (the trefoil really glows!); a best-exhibitor prize based purely on attendee voting; and, last but not least, tour transportation orchestrated by local Ubers.

This Local Organizing Committee (LOC) worked hard to make the attendee experience very positive. Even Dr. Larkin stayed all week! Congratulations to the Hamilton LOC for a job well done!

In this post-conference Bulletin, you will find some great reading. The Health Physics Corner is back with a ridiculously challenging dose rate and activity calculation for all you math lovers. Additionally, we continue our Canadian Radioactive Pioneers column and spotlight the recent accomplishments and awards received by our members.

Happy reading.