Bio and CV of John E. Till, Ph.D

John E. Till, Ph.D.
President, Risk Assessment Corporation
RADM, USNR (RET)

John E. Till, Ph.D. is president Risk Assessment Corporation (www.racteam.com). He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1967. He served in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Program and retired a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1999. As a reserve flag officer, he served as Deputy Commander Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet and Deputy Commander US Strategic Command and Commander Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region TEN. He is the recipient of the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal (the Navy’s third highest peacetime award), the Legion of Merit, two Navy Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Following his active-duty service, Dr. Till received his M.S. degree from Colorado State University in 1972 and his Ph.D. degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1976. In 1977 he formed Risk Assessment Corporation (RAC) in order to practice his scientific profession and also moved to his family’s 1,100 farm heritage in order to save it from bankruptcy. Since the formation RAC has played a key role in our understanding of radioactive materials when they enter the environment and how they affect humans. He has been responsible for major historical dose reconstruction projects at Department of Energy facilities including Hanford, Washington, Fernald, Ohio, Rocky Flats, Colorado, the Savannah River site, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Working with Vanderbilt University and the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Till’s team developed the first in-depth dosimetry from exposures to military personnel who participated in the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons between 1945 and 1963. Working with epidemiologists, Dr. Till team of researchers is enabling us to better understand if there is a higher incidence of cancer among this group of over 114,000 veterans. 

In 1995, Dr. Till received the E.O. Lawrence Award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the field of Environmental Science and Technology. He was selected for this honor for his work in public involvement and research in dose reconstruction. He was presented the L.S. Taylor Medal and presented the Taylor Lecture at the annual meeting of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements in 2013. In 2020, he received the Health Physics Society’s Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award. In 2024, he co-authored the paper, “Potential Airborne Releases and Deposition of Radionuclides from the Santa Susana Field Laboratory during the Woolsey Fire.” Health Physics. 124 (4), 257-284. That was selected as Health Physics Journal “Paper of the Year” award. He was recently recognized to present the 2025 “Commander James Cassata Memorial Lecture” at this year’s Health Physics Society in Madison, WI. 

Dr. Till’s scientific achievements include over 200 scientific publications and books that stress new approaches to apply and simplify transport and fate mechanisms in environmental and risk analysis. His most recent book, Radiological Risk Assessment and Environmental Analysis was published by Oxford University Press. He served on the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for 12 years and worked with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on various regulatory reports. He is a Distinguished Emeritus Member of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and chaired the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) groundbreaking committee “A Review of the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency) that significantly improved how atomic veterans are compensated for their service during the US atmospheric nuclear testing era. He has also served on numerous committees for the NAS, DOE, NCRP, IAEA, and ICRP.

Dr. Till lives on his family farm near Neeses, SC with his wife Susan.

John E. Till, Ph.D., RADM, USNR (RET)

President, Risk Assessment Corporation

Education

Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, 1976

M.S., Health Physics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1972

U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Submarine Force. Three schools consisting of Nuclear Power School, Mare Island, California; S5G Prototype NPTU, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut

B.S., Engineering (with distinction), U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1967

Professional Experience

Risk Assessment Corporation (formerly Radiological Assessments Corporation)

President/Owner, Neeses, South Carolina (1977–present)

Owner and president of Risk Assessment Corporation, Inc. (formerly Radiological Assessments Corporation), which focuses on the analysis of exposure and dose from radionuclides and chemicals released to the environment. Conducting research contracts for the Environmental Protection Agency, Vanderbilt University, Colorado State University, National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chem-Nuclear Corporation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Du Pont Company, University of Utah, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Department of Justice, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, the New Mexico Department of Environment, Pueblo de San Ildefonso, among others.

Embeford Farm, LLC

President/Owner (1100-acre family farm), Neeses, South Carolina (1977–present), producing corn and soybeans.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Research Associate, Oak Ridge Tennessee (1974–1977)

Conducted assessments of radiological impacts around nuclear facilities, performed studies to evaluate environmental impact of advanced fast reactor fuels, and developed and improved models to evaluate radionuclide releases to the environment.

Consultant, Allied-General Nuclear Services

Consultant, Barnwell, South Carolina (1973–1974)

Developed an in-plant health physics training program and wrote the Safety and Environmental Control Department Policy Manual for a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant being constructed by Allied-General Nuclear Services.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Research Assistant, Atlanta, Georgia (1973–1974)

Provided research and teaching support in the School of Nuclear Engineering.

Colorado State University

Research Assistant, Fort Collins, Colorado (1971–1972)

Developed and tested an instrument that rapidly measures working level exposure of radon daughters.

U.S. Navy, Nuclear Submarine Force (active duty)

Officer (1967–1971)

Became qualified to operate an S5W nuclear reactor, qualified Officer of the Deck and qualified in submarines. Other responsibilities included reactor control officer, electrical division officer, and operations officer.

Special Awards/Positions

2025 Selected Military Section of the Health Physics Society to present the “Commander James Cassata Memorial Lecture” at the 2025 Health Physics Society meetingin Madison, WI.  

2024 Recipient of Health Physics Society Michael T. Ryan Award for Outstanding Paper of the Year

2020 Recipient of the Health Physics Society Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award

37th Taylor lecture presented on March 11, 2013 at the annual meeting of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD.

1995 Recipient of the E.O. Lawrence Award in the field of environmental science and technology. Award is presented to several outstanding scientists each year following nominations sought from over 2000 organizations 

1983 Recipient of Elda E. Anderson Award presented annually to a member of the Health Physics Society less than 40 years of age for excellence in contributions to the profession of health physics and the Society

Technical Advisor to Generation Oversight Committee, Exelon Corporation, (2014-Current)

Member, International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), Committee 4, 1997–2006

“Blanketed” by the Nez Perce Tribe for recognition and inclusion of Native Americans in the Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project, July 19, 1996.

Chairman, Radiation Advisory Committee, Science Advisory Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, member Executive Committee Science Advisory Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1986–1987

Chairman, South Carolina Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council, 1987–1989

Advisor to Dean, University of Utah School of Medicine, “Assessment of Leukemia and Thyroid Disease in Relation to Fallout in Utah,” 1986–1994

Chairman, Technical Steering Panel, Hanford Dose Reconstruction Project, 1988–1994

Adjunct Professor of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1985–1995

Professional Activities

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Distinguished Emeritus Member, NCRP, 2003–present

Member, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), 1984–2003.

Chairman NCRP Scientific Committee 6-8 Operation TOMODACHI Radiation Dose Assessment, 2012-2014

Member, NCRP Committee 6-9, Dosimetry on the One-mIllion Worker Study, 2012-current.

NCRP 2013 Annual Meeting Committee, 2012-2013

MemberAdvisor, NCRP Scientific Committee 6-22, “Design of Effective Radiological Effluent Monitoring and Environmental Surveillance Programs” NCRP Publication 169, 2009–2012

Chairman, NCRP Committee 64, Umbrella Committee on Environmental Issues, 1996–2003

Strategic Planning Committee, 1999-2000

President Selection Committee for successor to Dr. Warren Sinclair, 1992-1993

Member, NCRP Board of Directors, 1989–1994

Member, NCRP Nominating Committee, 1988–1993

Chairman, NCRP Program Committee for Year 2003 Annual Meeting of the NCRP, “Radiation Protection at the Beginning of the 21st Century–A Look Forward” 

Member, Program Committee for Year 2000 Annual Meeting of the NCRP, “Past and Future Bases for Setting Radiation Protection Standards” 

Member, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Scientific Committee 64 on Environmental Radioactivity, 1985–2002

Chairman, NCRP Scientific Committee 64–19, “Dose Reconstruction,” 1994–2000

Chairman, NCRP Program Committee for 1995 Annual Meeting, “Environmental Dose Reconstruction and Risk Implications,” April 12–13, 1995, Crystal City, Virginia

Chairman, NCRP Task Group on Disposal of Low-Level Radioactive Waste in Oceans, National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, 1985–1990

Chairman, NCRP Committee 64–6, “Screening Models,” NCRP Publication 123 1982-1994

Chairman, NCRP Committee 64–2 and 3, “Radiological Assessment,” NCRP Publication 76, 1978–1982

Chairman, NCRP Committee for Comentary No. 3, “Screening Techniques for Determining Compliance with Environmental Standards,” 1986 (Rev. 1989)

Member NCRP Task Group on “Guidelines for the Release of Waste Water from Nuclear Facilities with Special Reference to Public Health Significance of the Proposed Release of Tritiated Waters from Three Mile Island,” NCRP Commentary No. 4, 1987

National Academy of Sciences

Chairman, National Academy of Sciences Committee, “A Review of the Dose Reconstruction Program of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency,” 2001-2003

Member, National Academy of Sciences “Advisory Committee to Study the Mortality of Military Personnel Present at Atmospheric Tests of Nuclear Weapons,” 1994-2000

Member, National Academy of Sciences Committee to Provide Interim Oversight of the Department of Energy Nuclear Weapons Complex, 1988–1989

Member, “Mortality of Military Personnel Present at Atmospheric Tests of Nuclear Weapons,” National Academy of Sciences, 1993–1995

Chairman, Dosimetry Working Group, “Mortality of Military Personnel Present at Atmospheric Tests of Nuclear weapons,” National Academy of Sciences, 1993–1995

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Member, Committee Four of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 1997-2005.

Chairman, ICRP Task Group on “Defining the Individual,” 2002-2005.

Member, International Commission on Radiological Protection Committee on Prolonged Exposures, 1997–2000.

Member, International Commission on Radiological Protection Working Party on Controllable Doses, 1997-2000

Chairman, International Commission on Radiological Protection Working Party on Environmental Doses, 1997–2000.

Special Appointments

Appointment by the Secretary of Energy to the Department of Energy Commission on Fire Safety and Preparedness, November 2000–2001

Scientific Review Group, U.S. Department of Energy, Joint Coordinating Committee for Radiation Effects Research, 1995–1997.

Consultant to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, 1986–1990.

Chairman, Advisory Panel, “Managing Nuclear Materials from Warheads: Weapons Dismantlement and Its Aftermath,” Office of Technology Assessment, Congress of the United States, June 1992–1993

Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety Technical Advisory Panel on Low-Level Waste Disposal Systems, 1986–1989. 

Member, U.S. Department of Energy Committee on Research on the Validation of Predictive Models Resulting from the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, 1986–1988

Member, Department of Energy “Joint Coordinating Committee on Radiation Effects Research,” 1995–1997

Professional Society Memberships and Activities

Health Physics Society

Chairman, Education and Training Committee, Health Physics Society, 1975–1979.

Councilman, East Tennessee Chapter, Health Physics Society, 1975–1977.

Program Chairman, “Pathway Analysis and Risk Assessment,” 1989 Health Physics Society Summer School, St. John’s College, Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 18–23, 1989.

Program Chairman, “Assessment of Releases of Radioactivity to the Environment,” 1980 Health Physics Society Summer School, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, July 14–18, 1980.

 Program Chairman, “A Seminar on Solid Radioactive Waste Storage in the United States,” sponsored by the East Tennessee and Bluegrass Chapters of the Health Physics Society at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, September 18, 1976.

Member, Committee on Scientific and Public Issues, Health Physics Society, 1979–1981.

Society for Risk Analysis

Society of Exposure Analysis

American Nuclear Society

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Journal Editorship

Editor, International Radiation Protection Association BULLETIN, 1988–1992.

Editor for Environmental Consequences Section of Nuclear Safety, 1975–1977.

Health Physics Advisory Board, 1988–1992.

Editor, “Radiation Protection at the Beginning of the 21st Century-A Look Forward,” Health Physics.

Military

Rear Admiral, U.S. Naval Reserve, 1991–1999, retired

Mobilization Assistant to U.S. Strategic Command, 1998-1999

Deputy Commander, Submarine Operations, N87R, Washington, D.C., 1994–1997.

Deputy Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia, 1991–1994

Commander Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Region Ten, New Orleans, Louisiana,      1992–1994.

Commanding Officer, Naval Weapons Station, HQ107, Charleston, South Carolina, 1988–1990.

Member, National Naval Reserve Policy Board,  1989–1992.

Commanding Officer, Naval Electronic Systems Engineering Command DET 407, 1985–1987.

Management Information Officer, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region Seven, Charleston, South Carolina, 1983–1985.

Commanding Officer, AS–40 FRANK CABLE, DET 107, Charleston, South Carolina,        1981–1983.

Commanding Officer, Nuclear Weapon Training Group, DET 107, Charleston, South Carolina, 1979–1981.

Qualified in submarines.

Military Awards

Defense Superior Service Medal, 1999 (The Navy’s third highest peacetime medal); Legion of Merit, 1994; Meritorious Service Medal, second award 1994, 1990; Navy Commendation Medal, second award 1987, 1984; Naval Reserve Service Medal, 1979; Navy Achievement Medal, 1971; National Defense Service Medal, 1964

Special Military Training and Certifications

Naval Nuclear Submarine Program including the following:

Six months (625 classroom hours) of instruction in the principles of science and engineering fundamental to design, construct, and operate a nuclear propulsion plant, July 1967–January 1968.

Six-month prototype training designed to provide on-the-job experience at starting up, operating, shutting down, and handling emergencies associated with nuclear propulsion plants, January 1968–August 1968.

Six months submarine school consisting of 675 hours of intensified instruction and 10 days of underway training aboard an operating submarine, August 1968–February 1969.

Certification to supervise the operation of a Naval Nuclear Reactor.

Training and certification to conduct experiments with highly toxic radioactive materials in a glove box, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, January 1968–April 1975.

Courses Taught and Offered

“Environmental Risk Assessment and Analysis,” May 8—May 12, 2017, Presented to staff of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, White Flint, MD, 25 attendees 

 “Environmental Risk Assessment and Analysis,” April 27—May 1, 2015, Presented to staff of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, White Flint, MD, 15 attendees 

“Radiological Risk Assessment for Decision-Making, Compliance, and Emergency Response,” March 4-8, 2013, Washington, DC, 40 attendees

“Radiological Risk Assessment for Decision-Making, Compliance, and Emergency Response,” March 5-9, 2012, Washington, DC, 40 attendees

 “Environmental Risk Assessment Analysis,” January 26-30, 2009, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 25 attendees

 “Three Short Courses for Regulators and Radiation Health Specialists: Emerging Topics in Radiation Protection and Risk Assessment,” March 16 – 18, 2004, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 25 attendees

“Calculating and Understanding Risk from Radionuclides Released to the Environment,” November 15-19, 1999, Seattle, Washington, 40 attendees

“Calculating and Understanding Risk from Chemicals Released to the Environment,” April 12-15, 1999, San Antonio, Texas, 30 attendees

“Chemical Risk Assessment—A Practical Approach for Making Risk-Based Decisions,” April 27 – May 1, 1998, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 75 attendees

“Pathway Analysis and Risk Assessment for Environmental Compliance and Dose Reconstruction,” November 6–10, 1995, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 75 attendees

 “Chemical Risk Assessment for Environmental Compliance and Dose Reconstruction,” February 27–March 3, 1995, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 85 attendees

“Pathway Analysis and Risk Assessment for Environmental Compliance and Dose Reconstruction,” February 28–March 4, 1994, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 150 attendees

“Risk Assessment and Public Communication,” March 1–5, 1993, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 85 attendees

“Pathway Analysis and Risk Assessment for Environmental Compliance and Dose Reconstruction,” March 2–6, 1992, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 150 attendees

“Pathway Analysis and Risk Assessment for Environmental Compliance and Dose Reconstruction,” February 25–March 1, 1991, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, 90 attendees

“Calculating and Understanding Risk from Radionuclides Released to the Environment,” April 28–May 2, 1997, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 150 attendees

“Chemical Risk Management–A Practical Approach for Implementing Risk-Based Corrective Action,” April 27–May 1, 1998, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 75 attendees

“Calculating and Understanding Risk from Chemicals released to the Environment,” April12-15, 1999, San Antonio, TX, 40 attendees