Shalina C. Metzger

Shalina C. Metzger is a Senior R&D Staff member and the Group Leader for the Radioactive Materials Analytical Laboratory (RMAL) at ORNL. She earned her doctorate in Inorganic Chemistry from Washington State University, where her graduate research focused on developing selective extraction ligands for the complexation of various metals from spent nuclear fuel waste. Initially concentrating on the recovery of precious group metals for recycling, she later advanced her work to the remediation of technetium in simulated Hanford waste tanks.

After completing her degree, Dr. Metzger joined ORNL as a Next Generation Safeguards Initiative Human Capital Development Postdoctoral Fellow. In that role, she developed and optimized an automated separations platform for the CIMS Group. As the leader of RMAL, she directs a specialized nuclear analytical team that is instrumental in advancing ORNL’s scientific research, technology development, and strategic partnerships.

Under her leadership, RMAL not only excels in detecting radioactive isotopes and EPA-regulated contaminants in the environment but also leads efforts in detailed material characterization and chemical processing. These activities support projects involving the production and distribution of anthropogenic isotopes and underpin a range of applications—from big science initiatives and environmental compliance programs to wildlife monitoring and nuclear fuel projects (including AGR, NRC, TRISO-X, Kairos Power, and Graphite Reactor), as well as other facility and site support efforts.

Dr. Metzger’s expertise and innovative vision ensure that RMAL’s state-of-the-art measurement systems and analytical protocols consistently deliver accurate, precise, and defensible data vital to ORNL’s mission.