Dr Sean Kitson is a radiochemist with specialist expertise in carbon-14 radiolabelling and isotopic synthesis for pharmaceutical and biomedical research. As Editorial Director of Open MedScience, he oversees content standards, editorial policy, and scientific quality across the platform while also contributing radiochemistry-led commentary and analysis on medical imaging technologies, radiopharmaceutical development, and translational imaging science. While he works closely with the imaging community, his professional focus remains in radiochemistry rather than clinical nuclear medicine practice.
Academic Background and Training
Dr Kitson obtained his PhD in Organic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in medical physics and an MSc in science from the Open University. His doctoral research examined mechanisms of carcinogenesis associated with urethane exposure, establishing an early connection between chemical science and biological systems.
He completed his formal radiochemistry training at Amersham, where he developed practical expertise in industrial isotopic labelling, regulated radiochemical production environments, and pharmaceutical-grade synthesis workflows.
Industry and Research Experience
Dr Kitson currently serves as an Ambassador for the Oncidium Foundation in Northern Ireland and works as a Radiochemistry Investigator within a technology-focused research environment. His role supports advanced isotopic labelling programmes for pharmaceutical research, drug metabolism studies, and regulatory development activities.
Earlier in his career, he held a senior radiochemist position at GE Healthcare, specialising in complex carbon-14 custom labelling projects. This work supported absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies alongside pharmaceutical development pipelines.
Awards and Professional Recognition
In 2006, Dr Kitson received the Wiley Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals Young Scientist Award for his work on the carbon-14 radiosynthesis of apomorphine, a therapy used in Parkinson’s disease. This recognition highlighted both the technical quality and applied relevance of his radiosynthetic methodology.
Editorial and Publishing Leadership
Dr Kitson founded and led Current Radiopharmaceuticals as Editor-in-Chief for more than a decade, guiding editorial standards and scientific direction within radiochemistry and radiopharmaceutical research. He also served as Editorial Director of the Journal of Diagnostic Imaging in Therapy, overseeing peer review and scientific content development in imaging-focused research.
In addition, he serves as Editorial Director of Open MedScience, overseeing editorial policy, content quality, contributor standards, and scientific integrity across the platform. He continues to contribute to academic publishing as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for specialist journals covering isotope science, imaging chemistry, and pharmaceutical research.
Research Focus and Scientific Contribution
Carbon-14 Radiolabelling and Isotopic Chemistry
A defining feature of Dr Kitson’s research output is the development and optimisation of carbon-14 radiolabelling methodologies. His peer-reviewed publications describe complex radiosynthetic routes for small molecules, peptides, and biologically active compounds. These studies address isotope incorporation efficiency, reaction robustness, metabolic relevance, and regulatory suitability.
His award-winning work on carbon-14 labelled apomorphine remains a reference example of precision isotope incorporation applied to therapeutically relevant compounds.
Bioconjugation and Peptide Chemistry
Dr Kitson has contributed extensively to bioconjugation chemistry and peptide labelling research. His collaborative publications examine carbon-14 labelling strategies for peptides, including linker chemistry, conjugation stability, and solid-phase synthesis approaches. This work supports the production of labelled peptides used in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies, as well as pharmacokinetic and regulatory development programmes.
Molecular Imaging Chemistry and Radiopharmaceutical Science
Through review articles and applied research publications, Dr Kitson has explored tracer chemistry, targeted imaging agents, radionuclide therapy concepts, and radiotheranostic frameworks. His work focuses on the chemical foundations of PET and SPECT technologies rather than clinical protocol development.
Synthetic Methodology and Functional Group Chemistry
Earlier publications in organic chemistry journals highlight Dr Kitson’s work in synthetic strategy development, carbamate chemistry, protecting group systems, and isotope-compatible reaction pathways. These foundational studies informed later applied radiolabelling research by improving reproducibility and reaction control.
Conference Activity and Scientific Engagement
Dr Kitson has delivered invited lectures and scientific presentations at international isotope and pharmaceutical chemistry conferences. His contributions have covered enzymatic labelling strategies, industrial workflows for isotope production, peptide labelling platforms, and clinical study support chemistry. He has also presented scientific posters at major meetings organised by isotope and radiochemistry societies.
Open MedScience Contribution
As Editorial Director for Open MedScience, Dr Kitson produces educational and technical content focused on PET, SPECT, radiotheranostics, and emerging imaging technologies. His writing approaches imaging science from a radiochemical and technological perspective, helping connect laboratory research with clinical imaging development and healthcare innovation.
Collaboration and Enquiries
Dr Kitson welcomes professional collaborations, academic discussions, and enquiries regarding guest contributions related to radiochemistry, isotopic labelling, peptide chemistry, and medical imaging science. Researchers, clinicians, and industry partners are encouraged to engage through Open MedScience.
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