C&EN talks with Christopher J. Bannochie, nuclear chemist at Savannah River National Laboratory

Abstract

When Christopher J. Bannochie isn’t traveling the world, he works at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and is a councilor for the American Chemical Society Savannah River Section. As a nuclear chemist, he has identified various species of mercury in radioactive waste. As an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, he serves on the board of directors for the Open Chemistry Collaborative in Diversity Equity at Johns Hopkins University, represents the professional society Out to Innovate on the ACS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect Experts Panel, and is the management sponsor for the Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Employees and Allies Association at the SRNL. Kieran Tarazona Carrillo spoke with Bannochie about his experience in chemistry, his advice for LGBTQ+ people, and the places he has traveled to. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Can you tell me a bit about your current research and the most interesting