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Dr David T. Burns, PhD, FInstP, will retire from his position as principal research physicist at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) on 30 September 2024. After a distinguished career spanning several decades, Dr Burns will leave behind a legacy of excellence and significant contributions to the field of ionizing radiation metrology.

Dr Burns began his academic journey at the University of Glasgow (UK) where he was awarded the Thomson Prize in Experimental Physics. He earned his doctorate in nuclear structure research from the university’s Kelvin Laboratory before joining the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the UK. At the NPL, he led the electron dosimetry group and was instrumental in advancing calorimetric measurement standards for absorbed dose at industrial levels.

In 1996, Dr Burns joined the BIPM, where he dedicated his work to the development and refinement of primary measurement standards for air kerma and absorbed dose. His expertise has greatly influenced dosimetric protocols for radiotherapy, including significant contributions to the widely used TRS-398 protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Dr Burns is a co-author of the influential book Fundamentals of Ionizing Radiation Dosimetry. His extensive research has resulted in approximately 150 peer-reviewed publications. In 2011, he was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK).

Dr Burns served as the BIPM observer at the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) annual meetings from 1997 to 2011 and was elected to the Commission in 2012. His leadership within the ICRU’s Fundamental Quantities and Units Committee, where he was appointed chairman in 2014, has been instrumental in maintaining rigour in the use of quantities and units in global radiation measurements. Additionally, since 2014 he has been a key member of the Scientific Committee of the IAEA/WHO Network of Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDL Network), guiding the Network’s operations and the IAEA’s Dosimetry Programme.

Throughout his career, Dr Burns has been recognized for his profound impact on radiation physics and metrology. His dedication to advancing measurement standards has ensured greater accuracy and reliability in radiation dosimetry world-wide. His contributions have not only enhanced scientific understanding but also improved safety and effectiveness in medical, industrial and environmental applications of ionizing radiation.

As Dr Burns retires, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the field. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of metrologists and researchers and will be passed on through his successor Dr Anna Villevalde and his long-standing colleague Dr Cecilia Kessler. We wish him all the best in his retirement and this exciting new chapter of his life.