Sally A. Amundson

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Papers

Total Citations

195

H-Index

About

Sally A. Amundson is a leading figure in radiation biodosimetry, a field critical for rapid, large-scale response to radiological emergencies. Her research centers on developing high-throughput, automated biological assays to measure radiation exposure in human populations. Her most impactful contribution is the development of the **RABIT (Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool)**, a system designed for triage after a mass-casualty radiological event. This work, detailed in a highly cited 2010 paper (118 citations), addresses the critical need for speed and scale by automating standard biodosimetric assays. Amundson has also been instrumental in adapting the **γ-H2AX assay**—a sensitive biomarker for DNA double-strand breaks—for automated, high-throughput processing in human lymphocytes. Her 2010 paper on this topic (77 citations) established key technological protocols that enable the rapid, linear quantification of radiation dose. By moving these assays from manual, labor-intensive processes to automated platforms, Amundson’s work directly enhances our capacity for effective radiological triage and public health protection, making her a pioneer in translating fundamental DNA damage biology into practical, deployable tools.