Laurentis’s Yanique Bradford is bridging physics and philanthropy
Yanique Bradford is driven by a singular goal: to make a meaningful difference, whether through advancing nuclear innovation at Laurentis or championing transformative initiatives that empower women and girls around the world.
Yanique joined Laurentis in February 2023 as a Radiation Protection Technician II at the company’s Clean-Energy Materials Sorting and Recycling (CMSR) facility in Hamilton, ON, while achieving her MSc in Biomedical Physics and with hands-on experience from volunteering at Sunnybrook Hospital’s Radiation Clinic.
While her initial interest was in cancer therapy and treatment planning, Yanique became passionate about advancing physics beyond frontline patient care in hospitals and soon discovered a new path where physics intersects with healthcare and innovation in the nuclear industry (read: Laurentis).
I’ve always been fascinated by the nuclear industry, and Laurentis’s mission to solve nuclear waste challenges while also producing life-saving isotopes really resonated with my background in cancer therapy.Yanique BradfordRadiation Technician II, Laurentis
Her drive extends far beyond the lab, though.
Growing up in Jamaica, Yanique experienced first-hand the barriers that limited girls’ access to education, from missing schoolbooks to lacking menstrual products. Those challenges followed her to Canada, where she noticed similar struggles for many girls.
“After moving to Canada, I was surprised to see that many girls here faced the same challenges, leading to absenteeism and missed opportunities,” she said.
At just 16, Yanique founded Help a Girl Out (HAGO), a nonprofit dedicated to providing menstrual and hygiene products to women and girls in need. To date, HAGO has distributed over 1.2 million products across Canada, the Caribbean, and Africa, and educated more than 15,000 Canadians on menstrual health and equity. Yanique’s advocacy has earned her national recognition, including Canada’s Hero Award from Global Citizen.
At Laurentis, Yanique channels that same passion into giving back. She spearheaded the company’s charity holiday packing events in 2023 and 2024, mobilizing employees in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area to personally contribute their time and effort to support local communities in need.
“The holiday season felt like the perfect time to give back in a hands-on way. It’s one thing to donate – it’s another to roll up your sleeves alongside your colleagues. That experience builds team spirit and makes the impact tangible,” Yanique explains. “I’m proud that this has become a cherished tradition for years to come.”
Beyond her work and charity efforts, Yanique mentors the next generation of innovators, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) youth who may face socio-economic barriers.
“I grew up in a community where going to school was a privilege, and careers like this felt unimaginable,” explained Yanique. “Moving to Canada gave me the freedom to dream bigger. That realization inspired me to think beyond the ordinary and gave me the courage to pursue physics. I want young people to start with curiosity and joy, not just obstacles. I want others to see that the possibilities are real.”
Whether advancing nuclear byproduct innovation at Laurentis or transforming lives through HAGO, Yanique continues to leave a lasting mark – one innovation, one act of service, and one mentorship at a time.
To learn more about Help A Girl Out, visit www.helpagirlout.org.
If you’re interested in advancing your career with Laurentis, please visit our careers page.
