Student Stories: Brian Cairns

Brian Cairns


Major: Nuclear Medicine/CT

Brian Cairns always liked science.

“I thought PET/CT was a really interesting field,” he said. “I decided to attend College of DuPage because it was the closest school that had a nuclear medicine program.”

Health Science Admissions at COD

Cairns was able to realize his goals, first earning his Nuclear Medicine certificate followed by a CT certificate. He had the opportunity to train on an actual CT scanner, as COD is the only community college in the country with one on campus. 

He currently works for Akumin as the chief PET/CT for Northern California.

Cairns is happy that COD helped him start his career and advises students to take advantage of the many programs available to them.

“Try and get multiple licenses like CT and MRI as well, because that will lead to better job opportunities,” he said.