RadGuard: an AI tool to help protect emergency responders from radiation
Official title: RadGuard: Developing an AI Companion for Radiation Risk Mitigation in Occupational Emergencies
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11439709 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH grant is funding development of an AI-powered helper to support emergency responders in real-world radiation exposure situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $158,374 |
| NIH project number | 1R21OH013058-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11439709 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal users are emergency responders and workers in radiological environments who would benefit from enhanced decision support.
✕Less likely to help
Responders in non-radiation contexts or those not involved in on-site decision-making may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create an AI-assisted decision tool that interprets exposure data to help responders make faster, safer choices in radiological emergencies. It will focus on situations where traditional dosimeters struggle, such as mixed radiation fields or neutron-heavy environments, and aims to work even when offline. The team will test foundational AI methods to support real-time protection decisions for workers who may face elevated radiation risk. The goal is to reduce exposure by improving situational awareness and speeding up critical decisions in the field.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could help emergency workers avoid unnecessary exposure and improve safety during radiological incidents.
How similar studies have gone: Prior AI decision-support work exists, but it remains to be proven in off-grid radiological field conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mamishev, Alexander V — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Mamishev, Alexander V
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.