Conversations with Krista Burton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Burton.

Krista, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was raised in Clayton County, Georgia, and my journey has always been shaped by the power of opportunity and access. Growing up on the south side of Atlanta during a period of significant community change in the early 2000s, I witnessed firsthand how quickly the loss of resources and community support systems can impact young people and their futures.

One of the most defining moments of my life came right before my senior year of high school when Clayton County faced the loss of school accreditation. My mother, who believed deeply in my potential, refused to let circumstances determine my future. She retired early so that she could drive me an hour to and from a school in a neighboring county each day so that I would have the opportunity to graduate and pursue a college degree out of state, away from my beginnings. That sacrifice showed me the importance of advocacy, resilience, and having someone believe in you when circumstances are challenging.

At 17 years old, I left home to attend Xavier University of Louisiana, where I earned my undergraduate degree in physics. At that point, I did not necessarily envision returning to Atlanta, so I continued my education by earning a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee and began my career as a nuclear safety engineer in Washington state. Although I was grateful for the opportunity, I realized I wanted a career that allowed me to connect science more directly with people and make a tangible impact on communities.

That realization led me to pursue a second master’s degree in medical physics. I transitioned into the field of Radiation Oncology, completed my clinical residency, and eventually became an American Board of Radiology (ABR)-Certified Medical Physicist. During my residency and early career, I experienced many moments of growth, including navigating imposter syndrome and learning what it meant to see myself as a leader in a highly technical field. I was fortunate to have mentors who showed me that outreach and service could be integrated into my career as a scientist.

Over time, I realized that I wanted to bring that same passion of mentorship and STEM access back to communities that looked like mine. After returning to Atlanta and joining Emory University as a clinical medical physicist, I saw an opportunity to combine my love of science, education, and community engagement. I founded Neighborhood FYErworks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through STEM and arts programming to foster innovation, confidence, and leadership.

also wanted to reach young people through storytelling, which inspired me to illustrate a children’s book, Little Lady Stem, which I had written during my residency program. The book follows a young girl discovering that curiosity and creativity can unlock potential, with the goal of encouraging children — especially those who may not always see themselves represented in STEM — to believe that they belong in those spaces.

Today, I continue to grow as both a scientist and community leader. Professionally, along with my clinical duties, I serve as a community outreach coordinator for the Emory Medical Physics division, developing community partnerships with schools in underserved communities. I teach a physics course to radiation therapy students at the Grady School of Radiation Therapy and was selected for a health sciences teaching fellowship focused on advancing education. I was also accepted into LEAD Atlanta, a leadership development program focused on developing young professionals committed to strengthening the Atlanta community.

When I look back on my journey, I see a common theme: opportunity changes lives. My goal is to be the representation and resource that I needed growing up — to help young people recognize their potential, regardless of their circumstances, and to create pathways where they can imagine and achieve more than they thought possible.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has not been a smooth or linear one. While I have been fortunate to have many opportunities, each step has required me to navigate uncertainty, adapt, and continue moving forward even when I did not always feel prepared.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, I often found myself in spaces where I did not always see many people who looked like me. Whether pursuing physics, nuclear engineering, or medical physics, I had to overcome moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome while continuing to prove myself.

My career path also required me to make difficult decisions. After earning my first master’s and starting my career as a nuclear safety engineer, I realized that success alone was not enough — I wanted meaningful work that aligned with my passion for service and connection. Choosing to pivot and return to school for a second master’s degree meant swallowing my pride, stepping away from comfort, and taking a huge risk on myself.

During my medical physics residency, I faced many challenges that tested my confidence and resilience. I was learning an entirely new field, adapting to new responsibilities, and growing as a professional while managing the pressure of becoming a clinical expert. Those experiences taught me the importance of mentorship, asking for help, and recognizing that growth often happens when you are uncomfortable.

Event after establishing myself professionally, my journey continued to challenge me. Returning to Atlanta was a mental health crises on its own for me — it required me to rediscover my role in a community that had changed while I was away and navigate what it meant to bring my experiences back home. Ultimately, these challenges helped me clarify my purpose.

The struggles along the way have shaped how I lead today. They have given me empathy for people in general and have reinforced my belief that access, mentorship, and representation can change the trajectory of a person’s life. My goal is not just to celebrate where I am now, but to use what I have learned from my own challenges to create opportunities for others and help young people see possibilities for themselves that they may not have considered.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
A medical physicist is a healthcare professional who applies the principles of physics to the diagnosis and treatment of disease, particularly cancer care. In radiation oncology, medical physicists are responsible for ensuring that radiation treatments are delivered safely, accurately, and effectively. We work behind the scenes to design treatment plans, calibrate and maintain complex medical equipment, perform quality assurance, and collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to make sure every patient receives the right dose of radiation to the right place at the right time.

My specialty is clinical therapeutic medical physics within radiation oncology , where I focus on the safe and precise delivery of radiation therapy for cancer patients. My role combines advanced physics, technology, problem-solving, and patient-centered care. Although patients may not always meet the physicist behind their treatment, our work directly impacts the safety and quality of their cancer care.

What I am most proud of is not just becoming a medical physicist, but using that expertise as a platform to serves and be a representation for others. Throughout my career, I have looked for ways to make science more accessible and create opportunities for the next generation. I am also incredible proud of founding Neighborhood FYErworks, a nonprofit organization that combines my passion for STEM, art, and community engagement. Through this work, I am able to take the knowledge and opportunities I have gained throughout my career and bring them back to young people, particularly those who may not always see themselves represented in science and technology fields.

What sets me apart is the combination of my technical background, my innate artistic capabilities, and my commitment to connection. I have experience navigating spaces as a scientist, educator, mentor, artist, author, and community leader. My journey has shown me that representation matters, and I want young people to see that a career in STEM is not just about academic achievement — it is about creativity, curiosity, and using your skills to make a skills to make a difference — word to Little Lady Stem.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
No journey to success happens alone. While my accomplishments reflect my dedication and hard work, they are also a reflection of the many people who believed in me, supported me, and helped shape the person and leader I am today.

The first person who deserves credit are my parents, specifically my mother. She was my earliest and most impactful advocate. During my senior year of high school, when circumstances threatened to limit my opportunities, she made a tremendous sacrifice to ensure that my future was not defined by my environment. When Clayton County schools lost accreditation, she retired early so that she could drive me to school in another county every day so that I was able to purse higher education out of state. Her sacrifice became a foundation for the way I now support and advocate for others.

Throughout my academic and professional journey, mentors have also played a critical role in my development. As I entered spaces where I did not always see people who looked like me, mentors like my undergraduate advisor, Dr. Anderson Sunda-Meya, helped me navigate challenges, build confidences, and recognize that I belonged. During my medial physics training and early career, I was fortunate to have mentors like Dr. Jessica Fagerstom and Robin Miller who exposed me to the importance of outreach, service, and advocacy within science and professional spaces. They helped me see that my role as a medical physicist could extend beyond the clinic and that I could use my expertise and influence to educate, inspire, and connect people from all backgrounds, and that a little compassion goes a long way.

Finally, I am grateful for the friends, family, and colleagues who continue to encourage my vision. I have a very dedicated and loving support system that constantly encourage me to aim high and never settle for less. Their encouragement reminds me that the work I am doing is meaningful and that I am part of something larger than myself.

When I think about who deserves credit for my success, I do not see a single person or moment. I see a collection of people who opened doors, offered guidance, made sacrifices, and reminded me of what was possible. Their investment in me is the reason I am passionate about investing in others. My goal is to continue the cycle by becoming the type of mentor and advocate for young people that so many people have been for me.

Pricing:

• Little Lady Stem ($18.99) available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kristaburton.com/
• Instagram: @the.kristaburton
• Facebook: Krista Burton
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-burton-09222abc
• Other: https://www.neighborhoodfyerworks.org/