Dr Joseph Ioppolo completed his PhD at The University of Sydney in 2011 under the supervision of Prof. Lou Rendina and Prof. Michael Kassiou (Thesis “Boron-Containing Phosphonium Salts for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and Imaging”). His post-doctoral work with Prof. John Valliant at McMaster University was to explore new gallium-67/68 tracers for imaging infection. After returning to Australia, as lead quality control chemist he played an integral role in the establishment and GMP licensing of the Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Unit (MITRU) at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the first cyclotron facility for that state.

In 2016 he joined the RAPID team at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (NHMS), taking part in the production and quality control of clinical 11C, 18F, 68Ga, 89Zr and 177Lu radiopharmaceuticals as well as FDG. Key projects included the production and test method validation of new tracers such as [18F]PSMA-1007, leading pre-clinical imaging and biodistribution projects, and introducing aluminium-fluoride labelling of novel peptides.

In 2022 he joined the WA Node of the National Imaging Facility (WA NIF) as the inaugural Radiochemistry Facility Fellow. This academic appointment involves supporting PET and MRI imaging research trials at WA NIF while remaining a key part of the RAPID team for the provision of novel radiopharmaceuticals. Joseph was involved in the fit-out and commissioning of the WA NIF Facility (Official Opening October 2023) and the new RAPID GMP Cyclotron Facility (currently in progress). This facility will house specialist radiochemistry infrastructure co-funded by UWA and NIF.

Joseph is a certified radiopharmaceutical scientist registered with the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM), and is a current Supervisor and Assessor for RPS registrars. His research interests are in:

    - Novel 18F synthesis and quality control methods

    - Preclinical PET imaging, uptake and biodistribution

    - Technology transfer and development of new radiopharmaceuticals for imaging infection and inflammation, imaging and treating cancer, and for studying neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory disorders.