Nuclear Operations & Facilities welcomes new Director, Reactor Operations and Maintenance

Nuclear Operations & Facilities (NO&F) is pleased to announce that Derek Cappon has joined NO&F as Director, Reactor Operations and Maintenance.

Cappon will be responsible for ensuring the safe and effective operation of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) and will support MNR’s user-base by advancing opportunities for nuclear research and education, says assistant vice-president, research (nuclear), Dave Tucker, who notes that Cappon brings a wealth of expertise in nuclear management and safety to the role.

“Derek will be a key member of NO&F’s growing leadership team and will help us capture the many opportunities and great potential ahead for McMaster’s nuclear portfolio, while maintaining the safe and effective operation of our world-class nuclear facilities,” says Tucker.

Cappon received his PhD in Applied Radiation Sciences (Medical Physics) from McMaster and previously worked in McMaster’s Health Physics Department as a certified Health Physicist, with a focus on radiopharmaceuticals, nuclear licensing and radiation safety. Health Physics works closely with Nuclear Operations & Facilities to ensure the safety, continuous monitoring and training of those who work with radiation in the McMaster community.

“I am very excited to join the Nuclear Operations and Facilities team and provide direction for the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, as we ensure the continued safe operation of this world-class research facility and lead an incredible expansion of our capabilities to better support and enable research at McMaster,” says Cappon.

Cappon will support a number of projects designed to expand NO&F’s operations, including preparing MNR for a transition to continuous 24-hour, 5-day-a-week operation at 5 megawatts (MW). The increased operating schedule will expand MNR’s research capacity to 300% of current levels and give users additional access to better support research programs in medical isotopes and environmental science, and to further investigate Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology development and deployment to combat climate change.

Cappon can be reached at cappond@mcmaster.ca