Project Title: Arrow: A probe-format graphite calorimeter for absolute dosimetry of high-energy small fields photon beams .
Project Title: Optimisation et reconstruction de trajectoires non-parallèles d’aiguilles ou de
cathéters pour procédures thérapeutiques avec guidage robotique .
Project Title: Investigation of neutron-induced DNA damage using track structure simulations .
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Project Title: Dosimetric studies on the INTRABEAM electronic brachytherapy source .
Project Title: Méthodes d’apprentissage statistique pour la segmentation des images tomodensitométriques .
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Project Title: Analyse de la dynamique du taux de l’antigene prostatique spécifique en contexte post-traitement en curiethérapie
Project Title: Computation of microdosimetric energy distributions to heterogeneous compartment sizes .
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Project Title: Microcavity-enhanced hydrated electron dosimeter: A miniature in-vivo radiation detector.
Project Title: The development of a system for the quantification of pulmonary fibrosis progression via changes in CT densities
Project Title: Non-invasive positron detection to enable dynamic PET .
Project Title: Conception d’un dosimètre avec un capteur à réseaux de Bragg .
Project Title: Therapeutic approaches.
Project Title: System and methods for fast radiation calculations .
Les dosimètres à fibre optique offrent de nombreux avantages pour l’utilisation clinique. Leur taille leur procure l’avantage d’être peu invasif tout en étant flexible et en offrant une excellente résolution spatiale. Un dosimètre à fibre offre la possibilité de mesurer la radiation précisément en un point donnée ou en quelques points donnés, ce qui rend impossible la mesure d’un profil de dose pour une unique irradiation. Avec des plans de traitements de plus en plus complexes, cette mesure devient indispensable afin d’effectuer des contrôles de qualité. Un dosimètre à fibre optique permettant de mesurer un profil de dose s’avérerait donc être un outil remarquable. Les capteurs à réseau de Bragg sont tout indiqués pour cet usage. En effet, plusieurs réseaux de Bragg peuvent être fabriqués au sein d’une fibre optique afin de mesurer simultanément la radiation à différentes positions. Les capteurs à réseaux de Bragg s’avèrent être efficaces pour mesurer de hautes doses de radiation, mais leur comportement à faible dose a été peu étudié. En effet, la radiation génère des défauts dans la fibre optique composant le capteur, ce qui provoque un décalage de la longueur d’onde de Bragg. Pour des doses suffisamment importantes, ce décalage est mesurable. Le projet vise, dans un premier temps, à choisir un capteur à réseau de Bragg permettant une lecture de dose suffisamment faible pour être utilisé pour des traitements de radiothérapie. Dans un second temps, le projet vise à caractériser le dosimètre .
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Le projet consiste en la création d’un nouvel algorithme d’optimisation de planification de traitement en curiethérapie permettant des insertions non parallèles de cathéters et la validation de l’applicabilité d’une insertion de cathéters par guidage robotique sur des géométries similaires à celles rencontrées en clinique.
Pour ce faire, l’algorithme de reconstruction 3D des trajectoires des cathéters dans le repère de l’anatomie d’un patient devra être implémenté pour des configurations arbitraires. Trois principales configurations particulières seront étudiées et validées. Par la suite, les résultats dosimétriques obtenus à partir des configurations non parallèles de cathéters seront comparés à des résultats dosimétriques de configurations parallèles standards de cathéters afin d’évaluer les bénéfices de cette nouvelle approche. Le volet expérimental du projet consistera à tester la reconstruction dynamique des cathéters lorsque ceux-ci sont insérés dans un fantôme à l’aide d’un robot de manière à simuler une planification de traitement guidée par robot.
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Currently, the identification and quantification of pulmonary fibrosis, resulting from
contemporary treatment modalities in lung radiotherapy, is largely dependent on physician
apraisals and patient reports. As a result, pulmonary fibrosis, and it’s progression, are often
poorly identified and, more importantly, poorly quantified. Using the analysis of clinical and
diagnostic imaging we will attempt to extract lung image densities by quantifying, in HU, the
changes in densities between the beginning of treatment and end of treatment. Then, using
physician appraisals for imaged pulmonary fibrosis, we will attempt to correlate changes in
densities with changes in reported severity of pulmonary fibrosis. Depending on he robustness of
this proposed method, we may ultimately try to correlate density changes with changes in
clinical presentation of pulmonary fibrosis as well as ultimately correlating density changes
with known biomarkers, relating to pulmonary fibrosis, and cancer metastasis. Ultimately we hope
to develop a better method of describing, characterizing and quantifying pulmonary fibrosis.
One of the therapeutic approaches that has attracted much of attention owing to its significant role in different types of widespread cancers, such as breast and prostate cancers, is brachytherapy. In that procedure, a high dose of radiation is applied to cancerous target tissue by positioning enclosed sources of radiations in the vicinity or inside of tumors without affecting the neighboring healthy tissues. Radionuclides such as 137Cs and 192Ir in the shape of seeds or wires are usually used as the brachytherapy sources. Precise knowledge of dose distribution around brachytherapy sources is essential to ameliorate the assessment of treatment quality and results. Achieving this goal has always been challenged by other effects such as
the influence of tissue heterogeneity and interseed attenuation. Monte Carlo (MC) particle transport methods can be used to provide us with an accurate understanding of dose distribution encompassing brachytherapy sources. Nevertheless, another challenge stems from overlapping of the radiation sources with the patient geometry. To overcome that, we use an object-oriented MC simulation toolkit, called GEANT4, which simulates the passage of particles throughout the matter and enable us to generate parallel geometries in a single application.GEANT4 will equip us with the whole range of functionality such as geometry characterization, navigator classes, tracking, and physical interaction models for a great range of particles with energies from 250 eV up to the TeV .
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Radiation treatments for cancer promise a targeted approach that treats tumours while avoiding irradiation of healthy tissue. Such treatment requires a careful calibration of the radiation dose, with excellent spatial resolution, using a measurement device (dosimeter) that ideally does not affect the path of the radiation. By exploiting optical microcavity technology originally developed to trap photons in quantum optics experiments, we propose to create a compact, highly sensitive, and fast dosimeter.
The optical microcavity greatly enhances interactions between light and water, allowing measurement of the radiation-induced changes in water’s optical absorption in a microscopic volume. Moreover, the microcavity is located on the tip of an optical fiber, which means that the fundamental dimensions of the dosimeter are comparable to those of a human hair. This small size not only translates to good spatial resolution, but also facilitates in vivo measurements – that is, dosimetry conducted while the patient is actually receiving treatment. Constructed of materials that minimally impact the radiation path, and measuring radiation dose in a substance (water) very close to human tissue, the dosimeter will overcome limitations of current devices while allowing sub-millimeter spatial resolution .
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Biological factors alone cannot explain differences in radio sensitivity between various cancers. Some aspects of radio sensitivity are related to physical factors, namely the size of nuclei and cells. Microdosimetry is the branch of dosimetry concerning itself with an understanding of energy deposition events to volumes with sizes on the order of micrometers. The lineal energy (energy per mean chord length of a volume) delivered to a cell receiving the average dose is an important factor related to the biological effectiveness of a radiation beam to a given target. We determine accurate size distributions of cancerous and healthy cells and nuclei derived from pathology slides. Using cell size distributions, three dimensional models of patient tissue are developed. Distributions of energy deposited in individual cells and nuclei are then determined using a Monte Carlo dose calculation engine. Distributions of specific and lineal energy corresponding to a given pathology slide can then be determined. Microdosimetric energy distributions will be investigated for various brachytherapy sources (existing and proposed) .
1. Joseph DeCunha†, S. A. Enger (2018) A new delivery system to resolve dosimetric issues in intravascular brachytherapy, Brachytherapy 17(3): 634-643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brachy.2018.01.012. Published online March 5, 2018.
Résumé : La segmentation d’image est une technique qui vise à classifier des pixels selon des critères préalablement définis. Il s’agit d’un problème difficile à résoudre pour lequel aucun algorithme de segmentation n’est conçu pour résoudre un problème spécifique.
En plus, les approches actuellement utilisées pour l’extraction des informations à partir des images tomodensitométriques (TDM) reposent principalement sur les outils d’analyse d’images classiques, qui ne se prêtent pas à un traitement automatique rapide et fiable de plusieurs images.
Dans le cadre de mon projet, on va définir un agent qui va apprendre d’une manière automatique à prendre des décisions à partir des différents descripteurs d’observations des images TDM. L’action de cet agent se traduit par une segmentation automatique des images pour aider le médecin dans sa prise de décision dans un diagnostic, le choix du traitement, la radiothérapie, etc.
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Résumé : L’antigéne prostatique spécifique (APS), une protéine se retrouvant en petite quantité dans le sang, est un biomarqueur pour le cancer de la prostate. En radiothérapie , ce biomarqueur est échantillonne à intervalle régulier après le traitement pour surveiller l’ évolution de la maladie. Une décroissance de l’APS vers des valeurs faibles est généralement observée après le traitement , tandis qu’une remontée peut être annonciatrice d’une récidive.
Le comportement des courbes d’évolution du taux d’APS est potentiellement porteur d’information prognostique. Il pourrait être envisageable, par exemple, de prévoir la récidive de la maladie à partir de la dynamique des courbes d’APS.
Pour ce faire, des méthodes numériques pour extraire des informations des courbes d’APS devront être élaborées. Ces informations pourront par la suite être utilisées pour faire des prédictions via un algorithme d’apprentissage automatique. Le projet a le potentiel d’aboutir en un outil d’aide à la décision pour les radio-oncologues, qui pourront utiliser la dynamique de l’APS comme un indicateur de succès ou d’échec du traitement.
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Although recognized as highly carcinogenic, the exact nature of neutron-induced DNA damage and its energy dependence is not well understood. With new advancements in computer modeling of DNA and its interactions with radiation, a revisiting of this problem is possible. However, for any new model of neutron-induced DNA damage to be accepted, extensive validation by radiobiological experiments is required. It is indeed this latter point that separates the research proposed here from other groups that have attempted similar research. The Neutron-Induced Carcinogenic Effects (NICE) group, of which this project forms a part, will be the first to employ whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as a means of investigating DNA damage. WGS provides vastly improved information about the extent of DNA damage to an irradiated cell compared to the other techniques used in this field. In combination with NICE’s unique expertise in neutron spectrometry, WGS will thus serve as a valuable source of both insight and feedback during the creation of a new model of the energy dependence of neutron-induced DNA damage. For example, WGS returns the number of mutations directly; therefore, proposed probabilistic models of DNA repair machinery can be implemented and tested in a meaningful way. While this is fundamental research, it is not without real-world consequences. During high-energy radiotherapy, patients are subjected to an unavoidable neutron dose. Without a reliable model of the carcinogenic potential of neutrons, an accurate assessment of the increased secondary cancer risk to the patient can not be made and considered.
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The goal of the project is to miniaturize the Aerrow probe that was developed by James Renaud and associate in order to be usable in small field dosimetry in a clinical environment. The probe uses temperature changes in a graphite core to deduce the received dose. With a thermal isolation provided by 2 layers of aerogel and 2 other layers of graphite who are thermally controlled, good thermal accuracy can be achieved. With a optimization of the component density and thickness, correction factor importance can reduce, therefore increasing the accuracy of the measurement .
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The reconstruction of dynamic PET images requires the acquisition of arterial total activity curves also called the arterial input function (AIF). The current gold-standard to acquire these AIFs involves sampling of the arterial blood through the PET scan. This technique requires specialized equipment and personnel and represent a significant financial investment, thus limiting dynamic PET to large academic centres. We are developing a novel positron detector that is wrist-mounted and non-invasive, eliminating the need for invasive sampling. The detector is based off of a coiled plastic scintillating fibre that can detect positrons escaping from the patient’s wrist.A dual read-out system will allow for coincidence counting to be performed and will allow for a high spatial resolution to be achieved. First patient trials were performed on a cohort of 7 patients receiving 150-labelled water chest scans. The scans were performed with the detector in place and were also analyzed using image derived AIFs. The measured data was compared to the image derived AIFs and shows a good agreement save for some background contribution. Further tests will be performed to determine the nature of the measured background signal and the detector will be modified to shield against it. Once this detector is complete, it will allow dynamic PET to be performed with any PET scanner at any PET centre without the need for further equipment or expertise .
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Background: Monte Carlo method is the most accurate dose calculation methods and gold standard. However, Monte Carlo based dose calculation engines, both in external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy can be slow to be used in a clinical workflow. We have developed AI based System and methods for fast radiation calculations. The system comprises methods for fast radiation calculations, with applications including, but not limited to, radiation dose calculation for medical therapies, radiation calculation for non-destructive testing of materials, radiation calculation related to imaging, and radiation calculations related to radiation shielding and protection. This system and methods enables radiation calculations that are comparably accurate to the state of the art methods, but significantly faster to execute.
What is novel? The method for calculation uses a data-based algorithm to model the underlying physics of the radiation interactions rather than a standard first-principles, physics based model.
Significance: The significance of this invention is as a novel method of calculating certain physical properties of radiation is a way that is comparable in accuracy to previously known, gold-standard methods, but executed much quicker, which is key to many applications of radiation calculations .
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Abstract: Miniature kV x-ray tubes for electronic brachytherapy are used in intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) applications to improve the outcome of targeted populations of cancer patients. The implemented low-energy electronic method is found to be a convenient alternative to interstitial brachytherapy with radionuclides, reducing the inherent safety risks and shielding, yet with a higher dose rate. The Intrabeam system is one of the most distributed examples of these sources, which is calibrated using the manufacturer’s own protocol. A comprehensive and feasible in the clinic dosimetry protocol for electronic brachytherapy is essential and is in active research. In this project, a brachytherapy dosimetry model based on a modified version of the TG-43 protocol for the Intrabeam source will be developed. In addition, the absorbed dose to water will be determined with the Exradin A20 parallel plate ionization chamber, which presents improved characteristics over the PTW 34013 such as precisely defined dimensions and the inclusion of a guard ring. Monte Carlo models for both methods will be validated based on measurements in water. The validated methods will be used to calculate dose to patient tissues and to establish optimized combinations of INTRABEAM with EBRT, studying the radiobiological implications.
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Upcoming workshops & events: read more in Workshops & Events .
March 31, 2019 – Industry Day, MUHC DS1-1427, Montreal QC . Program: Memorandum Industry Day Schedule
March 1, 2019 – Leadership Retreat, McGill University, Thomson House, Montreal QC .
January 24, 2019 – Interview skills workshop, RI-MUHC Glen site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Block E, S1.1129, Montreal QC ; Videoconference with Université Laval, Quebec.
September 15, 2018 – MPRTN PhD student Veronique Fortier received the award for 2nd place in the CARO Resident and Young Investigator Competition at the joint CARO-COMP-CAMRT annual scientific meeting (Synthetic-CT from 3D Gradient-Echo MRI) ,Le Centre Sheraton, Montreal QC.Congratulations to the 2018 COMP Award Winners!
September 15, 2018 – MPRTN PhD student Peter Watson received the award Runner Up (2nd place) in the COMP Oral Award for best presentation at the joint CARO-COMP-CAMRT annual scientific meeting (The intrabeam dosimetric interregnum: are the breast target protocol doses delivered by intrabeam accurate?) ,Le Centre Sheraton, Montreal QC.
September 15, 2018 – MPRTN PhD student Marc-Andre Renaud received the Sylvia Fedoruk Award for Best Paper in Medical Physics in Canada (On mixed electron-photon radiation therapy optimisation using the column generation approach, Med Phys. 44(8):4287-4298 doi: 10.1002/mp.12338 ) at the Joint CARO/COMP/CAMRT Annual Scientific Meeting,Le Centre Sheraton, Montreal QC.
September 15, 2018 – MPRTN PhD student Yana Zlateva received the award for the Best Poster (Laying the groundwork for accurate Cherenkov emission-based electron beam dosimetry) at the Joint CARO/COMP/CAMRT Annual Scientific Meeting,Le Centre Sheraton, Montreal QC.
September 10 to 15, 2018 – Joint CARO/COMP/CAMRT Annual Scientific Meeting,Le Centre Sheraton, Montreal QC. “Young Professional Workshop”: 11:00 – 17:00h Read more: http://www.comp-ocpm.ca/english/conferences-events/2018-young-professionals-workshop.html
May 3, 2018 – “Session #4 Individual Development Plan Workshop: Lorna MacEachern, Montreal/ MUHC DS1-5034 – Teleconference with Universite Laval, Quebec .
March 19, 2018 – “Session #3 Leadership Retreat: March (3rd week) /Thomson House, Montreal .
February 8, 2018 – “Session #2 3MT Coaching round table: 14 days aft #1, Montreal/ MUHC DS1-5034 – Teleconference with Universite Laval, Quebec .
January 18, 2018 – “Session #1 3MT Info session” – Montreal/ MUHC DS1-5034 – Teleconference with Universite Laval, Quebec .
ARCHIVE: November 24, 2017 – Demi-journée de carrière pour les stagiaires de l’IR-CUSM (le 24 novembre 2017 au site Glen de l’IR-CUSM, 1001 boulevard Décarie, Bloc E, S1.1129 (à l’auditorium et à l’atrium) Présentée par le Centre Desjardins de formation avancée/ Career Half-Day for RI-MUHC Trainees (November 24, 2017 RI-MUHC Glen site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Block E, S1.1129 (Amphitheatre/Atrium) Presented by The Desjardins Centre for Advanced Training; Agenda: Microsoft Word – Career Half Day_Agenda_FINAL_November 21.docx .
September 07 – 08, 2017 – “CREATE Medical Physics Research Training Network Industry & Research Workshop” – Montreal, Glen Site ES1-1129 .
April 13, 2017 – “Managing the Supervisor Workshop” – Montreal, 14:00h-16:00h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / videoconference with Québec NSERC CREATE-Managing the Supervisor Workshop . 16 – 17 mars 2017 – “Labo sur l’accélérateur linéaire” – Université Laval, Québec, QC; Facilitator: Dr. Luc Gingras.
January 19, 2017 – “Negotiations Skills” Workshop – 13:30h-16:00h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / le local au Québec du CRCEO; Facilitator: Tom Fullerton : NSERC CREATE-Negotiating Skills Workshop .
April 13, 2017 – “Managing the Supervisor Workshop” – Montreal, 14:00h-16:00h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / videoconference with Québec NSERC CREATE-Managing the Supervisor Workshop .
16 – 17 mars 2017 – “Labo sur l’accélérateur linéaire” – Université Laval, Québec, QC; Facilitator: Dr. Luc Gingras : . January 19, 2017 – “Negotiations Skills” Workshop – 13:30h-16:00h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / le local au Québec du CRCEO; Facilitator: Tom Fullerton : NSERC CREATE-Negotiating Skills Workshop .
December 8, 2016 – “Individual Development Plan” Workshop – 13:30h-16:00h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / le local au Québec du CRCEO; Facilitator: Lorna MacEachern : NSERC CREATE-Individual Development Plan Workshop . September 29, 2016 – “Conflict Management” Workshop; 13:30h-15:30h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / le local au Québec du CRCEO; Facilitator: Tom Fullerton : NSERC CREATE-Conflict Management Workshop .
August 24, 2016 – Cancer Research Program : Discover-Cure-Prevent is organizing the “Summer Student Research Day” on August 26, 2016 in Montreal, Glen Auditorium Summer Student Program .
August 10, 2016 – MPRTN student Avishek Chatterjee has been awarded with Terry Fox Scholarship .
July 22, 2016 – MPRTN student André Diamant-Boustead wins Second Prize at J. R. Cunningham Young Investigators Symposium at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists – Congratulations to the 2016 COMP Award Winners! .
June 20 – 22, 2016 – Premier Sommet sur les Biomarqueurs et les Avancées Thérapeutiques en Radio-oncologie / First Summit on Biomarkers and Therapeutic Advances in Radiation Oncology Invitation, Montreal June 20-22, 2016. Annonce: Premier Sommet sur les Biomarqueurs et les Avancées Thérapeutiques en Radio-oncologie : First Summit on Biomarkers and Therapeutic Advances in Radiation Oncology Invitation, Montreal June 20-22 .
June 3, 2016 – “Grant Review Exercise MDPH 702 & CREATE event” 09h-17h – Glen Site DS1-7011; Attendees: Ms. Eva Alonso, Mr. Martin Carrier-Vallieres, Dr. Avishek Chatterjee, Ms. Susannah Hickling, Dr. Sangkyu Lee, Mr. Piotr Pater, Mr. James Renaud, Ms. Judy Wang, Mr. Peter Watson . June 2, 2016 – “Negotiating Skills Workshop” 10h-13h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / le local au Québec est le 00897-2 du CRCEO; Facilitator: Ms. Lorna MacEachern : NSERC CREATE-Negotiationg Skills Workshop .
May 19, 2016 – “Leading Effective Discussions” 10h-13h – Glen Site DS1-5034 / le local au Québec est le 00897-2 du CRCEO; Facilitator : Ms. Joan Butterworth : NSERC CREATE-Leading Effective Discussions Workshop .
May 13, 2016 – MPRTN NSERC CREATE summer student James Renaud won a 2016 McGill Dobson Cup Award : “Health Sciences Track Award”. Read more . 2016 McGill Dobson Cup Award – James Renaud .
April 10, 2016 – MPRTN NSERC CREATE summer student James Renaud one of the four highlighted abstracts of ESTRO 35 . “Graphite Calorimeter Probe” ESTRO – James Renaud .
March 15, 2016 – Une équipe de l’IR-CUSM reçoit une subvention pour améliorer le traitement du cancer par radiothérapie / RI-MUHC team receives funding to develop improved radiation treatment devices for cancer patients. Read more and listen to the podcast with Dr. Enger: Une équipe de lIRCUSM reçoit une subvention pour améliorer le traitement du cancer par radiothérapie RIMUHC team receives funding to develop improved radiation treatment devices for cancer patients and McGill researchers to get CFI grants : McGill Reporter .
February 1, 2016 – Medical Physics Web – Editor’s choice: Direct reconstruction of the source intensity distribution of a clinical linear accelerator using a maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm, P Papaconstadopoulos, I R Levesque, R Maglieri and J Seuntjens Phys. Med. Biol. 61 1078. December 4 -5, 2015 – AQPMC – Student day (December 4, 2015) and meeting (December 5, 2015) – Glen Site ES1-1129 – RI MUHC Auditorium. AQPMC_Booklet_v3 .
December 3, 2015 – “Business plan workshop” 10h-13h – Glen Site DS1-5034. November 19, 2015 – Information regarding New Mitacs Business Development Specialist – read more : New Mitacs Business Development Specialist .
November 13, 2015 – Invitation for course : “Starting your Business in the Quartier de l’innovation” on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 as a part of the “Innovation week” at McGill University – read more Starting your Business in the Quartier de l’innovation ;Link: https://www.mcgill.ca/qi/events/innovation-week/2015 ; Registration: https://www.mcgill.ca/research/register-mcgill-innovation-week-opening-rosie-goldstein-and-innovation-practice-panel . November 17, 2015 – Intellectual Property Workshop “John Thomson – How to Market an Invention” – McGill University, MacDonald Engineering Building, Room 267 – Registration required online – Invitation IP Workshop Poster Nov 2015 . October 30, 2015 – MPRTN NSERC CREATE summer student Emily Cloutier won a prize at the Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference this fall for her presentation “Characterization of the Cd/Se quantum dots response when irradiated at ionising energies for a dosimetry application”. 12191807_10153535624225218_3774773226004522339_n ; http://www.cap.ca/sites/cap.ca/files/cupc_2015_poster_-_a4_size.pdf . October 29, 2015 – Un article du groupe de recherche s’illustre parmi les choix de l’éditeur ! L’article s’intitule : Systematic evaluation of photodetector performance for plastic scintillation dosimetry; Félicitation aux co-auteurs : Jonathan Boivin, Sam Beddar, Maxime Guillemette et Luc Beaulieu ! http://scitation.aip.org/content/aapm/journal/medphys/42/11/10.1118/1.4931979 . September 25, 2015 – MPRTN NSERC CREATE PhD student Martin Vallières has been awarded the First Prize in the “Rising Stars in Medical Physics Symposium” of the Medical Physics Research Training Network for his presentation entitled “RADIOMICS: Mais Ou Et Donc Car Ni Or? (who, what, why, where, when)” at the “Career paths and Industry workshop for Medical Physics Research Training Network”, 24-25 September, 2015, Montreal, QC, Canada.Link to presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/edmltoyafvoz0qh/Radiomics_25Sept2015.pptx?dl=0 . September 24-25, 2015 – “Career paths and Industry workshop for Medical Physics Research Training Network” – Medical Physics CREATE event – Glen Site, RI MUHC, Bloc E, Auditorium ES1.1129,1001 Décarie Boulevard,Montreal QC H4A 3J1 Program_NSERC CREATE-Career paths and Industry workshop for MPRTN V2 ; Presentations: Marie-Ève Delage: Marie-Ève_Presentation_symposium_MED ; James Renaud: Renaud_CREATE rising stars in MedPhys ; Dmitri Matenine: Dmitri_ppt-2015-09-25-final ; Sangkyu Lee: ; Daniel Markel: ; Pavlos Papaconstadopoulos: . September 21, 2015 – Invitation for Mitacs (a non-profit Canadian organization) Info session: “Mitacs internship opportunities that bridge academia and industry” – RI MUHC, Glen Site, EM1.3509, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, H4A 3J1 Mitacs flyer . Carreer paths and Industrial Workshop – Photos . September 10, 2015 – MPRTN PhD student, Lalageh Mirzakhanian obtained the AGBU International Educational Scholarship . August 19, 2015 – MPRTN PhDstudent James Renaud has been awarded a 1 year scholarship from The Terry Fox Foundation Strategic Training Initiative for Excellence in Radiation Research for the 21st Century (EIRR21) . ARCHIVE: August 13, 2015 – MPRTN PhDstudent James Renaud has been awarded the Schulich scholarship for 2015-2016 . July 14-16, 2015 – MPRTN PhD student Yana Zlateva received at the 2015 Annual Meeting “Best in Physics (Therapy) Award” for “Cherenkov Emission Dosimetry: Feasibility for Electron Radiotherapy” at AAPM 57th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, 14-16 July, Anaheim, CA. June 29, 2015 – Medical Physics Web – Editor’s choice: A radiomics model from joint FDG-PET and MRI texture features for the prediction of lung metastases in soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities, M Vallières, C R Freeman, S R Skamene and I El Naqa Phys. Med. Biol. 60 5471. June 17-19, 2015 – “Molecular & Clinical Radiobiology Workshop” – Cedars Cancer Centre, Glen Site, DS1-1427, MUHC, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, H4A 3J1 Workshop Molecular Clinical Radiobiology June 17_19_2015 Brochure_April 7 2015. Juin 6-12, 2015 – Le prix Sylvia Fedoruk 2014 décerné par l’Organisation canadienne des physiciens médicaux pour le meilleur article en physique médicale au Canada a été remis à Mathieu Goulet, Madison Rilling (RFRPM CRSNG FONCER étudiante), Luc Gingras, Sam Beddar, Luc Beaulieu et Louis Archambault pour l’article “Novel, full 3D scintillation dosimetry using a static plenoptic camera”, publié dans la revue Médical Physics (Med Phys 2014;082101(8):1–13.). Le prix a été remis lors du Congrès mondial de physique et ingénierie biomédical tenu à Toronto du 6 au 12 juin dernier – IMG_4679 . May 21, 2015 – Workshop: ‘IP:what’s in it for you?’ & “John Thompson caste study” – 1650 rue Cedar, D5-390 NSERC CREATE-IP Training Workshop . April 8, 2015 – Announcing the AAPM Science Council Associates Mentorship Program – read more. March 30-31, 2015 – Workshop: ‘From Track Structure to Clinical Outcomes and Reverse’ – 3650 rue McTavish, Ballroom Thomson House – at McGill Campus Agenda30_31_March . March 27, 2015 – Conference presentations Workshop: “How to give a talk” – Montreal General Hospital, D5-930 (9:15 am – 10:00 am) NSERC CREATE-Conference Presentations Workshop Med Phys Conf Presentation(2) . March 23, 2015 – MPRTN student Madison Rilling got selected for the Cogito competition. She will be presenting her thesis on TV (Canal savoir) – read more. February 12, 2015 – Graphos workshop: Conference abstract writing – Room 1041 at 688 Sherbrooke St. West (10th floor) – at McGill Campus; 10:00 – 17:00h Anatomy of abstract 20150217 Med Phys FINAL Medical Physics Conferences and Competitions 20150217 , Med Phys FINAL , Anatomy of abstract 20150217 . December 1, 2014 – MPRTN student James Renaud won the 2014 Reginald Fessenden Prize in Science Innovation, graduate student category. The Prize recognizes his excellent work, coupled with a good understanding of its commercialization potential, in the research project entitled “Graphite Probe Calorimeter: The first absolute dosimeter for clinical radiation therapy.” On behalf of Dean Martin Grant, Faculty of Science. November 15, 2014 – Atelier 2014, AQPMC Association québécoise des physicien(ne)s medicaux. L’atelier aura lieu le samedi 15 novembre 2014 au CHUM – 8:30- read more . November 14, 2014 – Journée étudiante 2014, AQPMC Association québécoise des physicien(ne)s medicaux. La journée étudiante aura lieu le vendredi 14 novembre 2014 au CHUM – 8:30- read more . November, 2014 – MPRTN student, Jonathan Boivin, RSNA Travel Award (2014), for presentation “A New and Accurate Tool for Live Skin Dose Monitoring in Interventional Radiology: Measuring Dose without Compromise. November, 2014 – MPRTN student, Marie-Ève Delage, Deuxième prix du jury pour présentation orale, Journée scientifique des étudiants du CRC 2014. November, 2014 – MPRTN student, Patricia Dugyau-Drouin, Troisième prix du jury pour présentation orale, Journée scientifique des étudiants du CRC 2014. October 29, 2014 – Minisymposium: “Cluster pattern analysis of radiotherapy radiation modalities. October 29, 2014 at Montreal General Hospital – Room D5-227; 12:00 – 16:00-Tentative_Schedule29_30_Oct . October 14, 2014 -The Gobal Research Collaborations Team would like to remind you that the abstracts for the Research Partnership Symposium are due November 1st, 2014. Please submit your abstract to research.symposium@varian.com. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact: Timo Berkus, PhD, Manager, Global Research Collaborations; Varian Medical Systems Deutschland GmbH; Alsfelder Straße 6, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany; cell: +49 151 113 58407; landline: +49 911 937 69259; mailto: Timo.Berkus@varian.com; web: www.varian.com. Please adhere to the following guidelines: – Maximum length = 250 words, not including the title, authors, institution, city, state and country. – You may insert a graphic, which may be color or black-and-white. The graphic can be up to half of the page in size, i.e., a maximum size of 6.5″ x 4.5″. – Graphics may be submitted in JPG, GIF, PNG and TIFF format with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI. – Please use 12-point Times New Roman font. Please use 1″ margins on all four sides of an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper. – Please provide a personal photograph along with the abstract to be included in the symposium proceedings. Read more: . September 14-17, 2014 – MPRTN student Yana Zlateva received at the 2014 Annual Meeting “The Basic Science Abstract Award” in Radiation Physics at ASTRO’s 56th Annual Meeting, September 14-17, 2014, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. – read more . August 26, 2014 – Session videos from the MR in RT symposiums at WUSTL are now on youtube – read more . August 22, 2014 – Formations de Calcul Québec et aux événements en calcul informatique de pointe / Calcul Quebec Training Workshops and to other events in Advanced Computing – Invitation Calcul Canada. July 21, 2014 – MPRTN student Susannah Hickling wins First Prize at the John R. Cameron Young Investigators Competition at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine – read more. July 11, 2014 – MPRTN student James Coates wins First Prize at J. R. Cunningham Young Investigators Symposium at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists- read more . July 11, 2014 – MPRTN student Dominique Guillet wins Second Prize at J. R. Cunningham Young Investigators Symposium at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists – read more . July 11, 2014 – MPRTN student James Renaud wins the Sylvia Fedoruk Award for Best paper in Medical Physics in Canada – read more . June 17 – 20, 2014 International Workshop on Monte Carlo Techniques in Medical Physics http://www.mcw2014.phy.ulaval.ca .
July 17, 2018 Physics World: André Diamant: Irradiation beyond the target may reduce distant metastases. read more: Irradiation beyond the target may reduce distant metastases – Physics World
June 14, 2016 La Presse: Dr. Luc Beaulieu: (Québec) L’Université Laval a annoncé lundi la création d’une nouvelle chaire de recherche en technologies biomédicales pour la curiethérapie, une technique de radiothérapie utilisée contre le cancer. read more: http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/sante/201606/13/01-4991368-nouvelle-chaire-de-recherche-pour-la-curietherapie-a-luniversite-laval.php .
February 22, 2016 ESTRO 35: ESTRO has a tradition of publishing a conference report featuring abstracts selected by chairs of each track. The aim is to give readers some flavour of the type of innovative science presented in an area. Abstract ( J. Renaud, A. Sarfehnia, J. Seuntjens Experimental benchmarking of a probe-format calorimeter for use as an absolute clinical dosimeter ) submitted to ESTRO 35 is one of the five that was selected out of the numerous submitted under physics track.
January 25, 2016 Huge gains made in breast cancer treatment at the MUHC: An ongoing clinical trial using new intraoperative technology is producing significant results for breast cancer patients, HEALTHCANAL. – read more
July 28, 2015 There is a new book available which may be of interest to some of you: “Radio sensitizers and Radiochemotherapy in the Treatment of Cancer”, Author: Dr. Shirley Lehnert. Use of the promo code on the flyer would get you a 20% discount if ordered from the publisher and in addition the author will be happy to sign copies. Seize the opportunity! – K11427_output-1
ARCHIVE:
December 18, 2014 “Un nouveau réseau en physique médicale / New Network a boon for medical physicists”, Jan Seuntjens, The Fall 2014 Newsletter of the Research Institute of the MUHC, 2013-2014 RI-MUHC Annual Report (Adult and Pediatric Research), pp. 10 AnnualReport_RI_2013-2014 October 2014 “International Workshop on Monte Carlo Techniques in Medical Physics”, Philippe Déspres, Interactions, Canadian Medical Physics Newsletter 60 (4), pp. 121 read more
October 23, 2014 “Collègues de long date” par Matthieu Dessureault, Le journal de la communauté universitaire, Université Laval – read more
October 15, 2014 Interview with MPRTN student, Martin Carrier-Vallières regarding Image analysis predicts therapy response – Medicalphysicsweb
July 30, 2014 Interview with MPRTN student, James Coates regarding genetic prostate work conducted at AAPM by Dr. Tami Freeman – Medicalphysicsweb
August 12, 2013 McGill Channels: New network in medical physics August 12, 2013 Biotechnology Focus: New network in medical physics
July 31, 2013 McGill Reporter: New medical physics network receives $ 1.65 million in NSERC funding
May 17, 2019 – Post-doctoral position opening at IMNC (NARA team) in Novel bio-inspiring microsensors for improving protontherapy treatments.
Postdoc related to new microsensors to protontherapy treatment improvements (24 months, expected starting date: 1st October, 2019 in Campus d’Orsay, IMNC-CNRS). The position points to create a medical instrument for optimization of hadrontherapy treatments. The postdoc will work directly with another researcher of the New Approaches in Radiotherapy group at IMNC. In this research group we work in the interface between medical physics, computer science and radiobiology. The candidate should have a PhD in Physics, Medical Physics or Computing Science. More information in: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR8165-CONGUA-001/Default.aspx?lang=EN . Portail Emploi CNRS Job offer HF Postdoc position in Novel bioinspiring microsensors for improving protontherapy treatments .
November 15, 2018 – The Imaging Physics Residency Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has three Resident/Fellow positions opening for 2019. Introduction of recent development in the 3-year Fellow training, the hybrid pathway, which is the current emphasis of the program. This pathway is designed to allow the academically focused trainee to continue their research trajectory while completing the clinical training requirements for ABR certification. They are looking for the best-and-brightest who hope to become the academic medical imaging physics leaders of the future .
The hybrid pathway provides a unique opportunity that combines clinical and research training. During the 3-year appointment, the resident enrolled in the hybrid pathway, with the title MD Anderson Fellow in Medical Physics, will receive two years of full-time equivalent clinical training in our CAMPEP-accredited residency program while performing one year equivalent of full-time research. Each Fellow is matched with a dedicated member of the MD Anderson faculty who serves as a research mentor. Throughout the three years, a protected research week will be scheduled between every two clinical weeks to ensure long-term and in-depth research developments. The hybrid pathway is designed for Ph.D. graduates in medical physics or related fields, who want to continue performing scholarly research during the residency training and aim to become an academic clinical imaging physicist. More information can be found in the attached hybrid pathway brochure and our Program website ( www.mdanderson.org/imaging-physics-residency-program ). HybridPathwayBrochure .
Applications through the AAPM medical physics residency application program (www.aapm.org/mprap) will be accepted until December 17, 2018. They are prioritizing the 3-yr hybrid fellows, although they also welcome applications to the traditional 2-yr residency. Additionally, this year, one position will be prioritized for applicants interested in nuclear medicine research .
November 14, 2018 – Boston Children’s Hospital, in conjunction with Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, has launched a new Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medical Physics Residency Program. They have recently received CAMPEP accreditation. They are also pleased to announce that they have received a grant from the AAPM supporting the development of new residency slots in diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine. This program consists of a two-year residency designed to train medical physicists to work independently in the chosen specialized field of diagnostic medical physics or nuclear medical physics. Last year was their first year with our first resident starting in July 2018. The program is based at Boston Children’s Hospital in the Harvard Longwood Medical area of Boston with rotations at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Nuclear medicine residents will also spend time at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Graduates of the program are expected to complete the process of board certification in the chosen specialty by a recognized certifying body such as the American Board of Radiology (ABR in either diagnostic or nuclear medical physics), American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine (ABSNM), or Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM). In addition, the training prepares the resident to perform other aspects of an imaging physicist’s responsibilities including teaching, research, radiation safety, and administration.
The first sixteen months of the residency consists of eight two-month rotations in the following areas:
General Radiographic Imaging and Mammography
Fluoroscopy and Interventional Radiology
Radiation Safety
Nuclear Medicine
Computed Tomography
MRI
Informatics
Ultrasound
The last eight months of the residency consists of elective rotations and includes assigned teaching to radiology or nuclear medicine residents, technologists, and/or other allied health professionals in the hospital. During this time, the resident has the opportunity to participate in clinical and medical physics research. Those choosing nuclear medicine spend Year 1 covering all diagnostic imaging modalities except ultrasound and in Year 2 concentrate entirely on nuclear medicine. A website with additional information regarding program (http://www.childrenshospital.org/medphysresidency ).
Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2018 through the AAPM medical physics residency application website (www.aapm.org/mprap ). They also participate in MedPhys Match (https://natmatch.com/medphys/ ). Interested individuals with any further questions should contact Dr. Frederic Fahey (frederic.fahey@childrens.harvard.edu , 617-355-2809).
November 1, 2017 – The University of California, San Diego is opening a postdoctoral fellow position. A Postdoctoral Fellow position is available in the Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. The successful candidate will be involved in a project on advanced imaging and motion management strategies for pancreas SBRT. Candidates with a doctoral degree in Medical Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field, are welcome to apply. Strong preference will be given to applicants with solid programming skills and knowledge of image analysis, motion management, and radiation therapy. UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong institutional commitment to excellence through diversity. If interested, please email your curriculum vitae, along with a cover letter and the contact information for three referees, to: Laura Cervino, PhD, DABR, Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, UC San Diego ( lcervino@ucsd.edu ) .
November 1, 2017 – The Faculty of Engineering Technology, capacity group Engineering Technology, research institute Research Institute: Centre for Environmental Sciences, research group Nuclear Technology Centre of Hasselt University seeks a (m/f) PhD student in small animal precision image-guided irradiation. To view the announcement, please go to : UHasselt seeks a PhD student in small animal precision image-guided irradiation.
August 28, 2017 – The University of Toronto Residency Program in Radiation Oncology Physics in Toronto is looking for 2 Medical Physics Residents starting in January 2018. To view the announcement, please go to : Job Posting – Medical Physics Residents
August 25, 2017 – Elekta Operational Physics team is offering a four-month internship program based in Atlanta, GA, USA for recent medical physics graduates . To view the announcement, please go to : https://elekta.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Elekta_Careers/job/Atlanta/Intern–Operational-Physics_R2017-122 .
ARCHIVE: January 3, 2017 – The SCK-CEN in Belgium invites applications for a PhD position. This PhD project is in collaboration with researchers from LNL Legnaro (Italy). The student will be some time in Italy and in Belgium . SCK-CEN would need to find candidates with good background in physics, electronics and radiation physics. To view the announcement, please go to : http://academy.sckcen.be/en/Your_thesis_internship/AllTopics/Microdosimetry-of-therapeutic-proton-beams-1439 .
November 28, 2016 – The Radiological Sciences Program in the Department of Physics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor rank. Areas of research interest include radiation biology, radiochemistry, radiation detector development, internal dosimetry, nanotechnology applications (nanofilms and nanoparticles), and other aspects of Radiological Science, as highlighted in the attached advertisement. Applicants should apply on-line at https://jobs.uml.edu . To view the announcement, please go to : Radiological Sciences UMass Lowell .
October 14, 2016 – Elekta Operational Physics team is offering a four-month internship program based in Atlanta, GA, USA for recent Medical Physicists graduates . To view the announcement, please go to : E&T_Physics_Recruitment_Flyer_sans_crop . The application link : https://uscareers-elekta.icims.com/jobs/4819/job?mobile=false&width=1148&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=-300&jun1offset=-240 .
April 7, 2016 – The University of Texas, Health Science Centre in Houston is looking for Medical Physics Resident (Diagnostic/Nuclear Medicine). To view the announcement, please go to Medical Physics Resident (Diagnostic:Nuclear Medicine) – UT Health, Houston, TX .
April 6, 2016 – National Physical laboratory in the UK is looking to appoint the Principal Research Scientist in Radiation Dosimetry Team. To view the announcement, please go to Job Advert (contact e-mail: marion.lebihan@henleyresearch.com) .
March 4, 2016 – A two-year postdoctoral fellowship available in the Division of Medical Physics in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Johns Hopkins University (JHU. To view the announcement, please go to JHU_Postdoc_Ad_2016 .
February 27, 2016 – Postdoctoral Fellow* in Medical Physics position: The medical physics research group of CHU de Quebec (physmed.fsg.ulaval.ca) and Université Laval (http://www.ulaval.ca) is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work on cutting edge brachytherapy projects involving both experimental and numerical aspects, with potential for pre-clinical validation and implementation as well. To view the announcement, please go to annonce_postdoc_2016 .
January 8, 2016 – Therapeutic Medical Physicist – VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, TX :The VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas, Texas is currently recruiting for a Therapeutic Medical Physicist in the Radiation Oncology Department. To view the announcement, please go to https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/PrintPreview/425402300. Refer to Announcement Number AH-16-DLD-1587901. Applications are being accepted from Friday, January 8, 2016 until Friday, January 15, 2016. If there are any questions, please contact our local HR department at 214-857-1701.
December 17, 2015 – Département de physique, génie physique et d’optique, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval: The Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Optics at Université Laval’s Faculty of Science and Engineering invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in the field of Medical Physics. Read more: https://www.rh.ulaval.ca/cms/site/rh/lang/fr_FR/accueil/emplois/emplois_professeurs?offre=68490&lang=en .
October 29, 2015 – RQMP – Poste/Position – Expert-conseil junior en technologie nucléaire – Detec – Gatineau / Junior consultant in nuclear technology – Detec – Gatineau. Read more: http://www.rqmp.ca/files/Postes-ext/Poste_2015.pdf .
October 1, 2015 – L’Université de Montréal a accepté un nouveau poste de professeur agrégé en imagerie de résonance magnétique. Ils recherchent des candidatures techniques et non cliniques. Read more: Affichage professeur IRM 2015-final-format UdeM-V2 Affichage professeur IRM 2015 – anglais – final – UdeM format – V2 .
July 24, 2015 – Assistant Professor position in Medical Physics, Department of Oncology, McGill University – Job Posting_Assistant Professor in Medical Physics, Department of Oncology, McGill University.
July 10, 2015 – Post-doc position in the Carleton Laboratory for Radiotherapy Physics – read more . June 09, 2015 – The Faculty if Engineering Technology, capacity group Engineering Technology, research institute Research Institute: Centre for Environmental Sciences, research group Nuclear Technology Centre of Hasselt University looking for PhD student dosimetry for radiotherapy – UHasselt vacature_en .
January 21, 2015 – Le groupe de recherche en physique médicale du Département de physique, de génie physique et d’optique de l’Université Laval (www.physmed.fsg.ulaval.ca) et du CHU de Québec (www.chuq.qc.ca) est à la recherche de candidates et candidats intéressés par des projets de maîtrise (MSc) et de doctorat (PhD) portant sur divers sujets allant du calcul numérique haute performance sur carte graphique (GPU) à la conception de dosimètres utilisant les scintillateurs plastiques – Annonce MSc-PhD 2015.
December 11, 2014 – The Department of Physics at Louisiana State University is seeking outstanding candidates for a tenure-track faculty position, at the level of Assistant Professor, in the Medical Physics Program within the Department of Physics at Louisiana State University – 2014-12-11 announcement – Medical Physics Program within the Department of Physics at Louisiana State University.
December 3, 2014 – The Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, invites applications for two tenure-track appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin as early as July 1, 2015. The positions will be held in Unit 5 in the Barber School (read more) Job Posting – Offre d’emploi _ Two Assistant Professors (Physics).
November 24, 2014 – The German Cancer Research Center (DFKZ) in Heidelberg is looking for a PhD student for project “Analytical probabilistic uncertainty management for carbon ion treatment planning – PhDPositionDFG_Heidelberg. October 23, 2014 – Radiation Oncology Physics Residents (2), the Washington University in St. Louis. Radiation Oncology Department. The 2-year training position begins July 1, 2015 Washington University in St. Louis.
October 22, 2014 – Faculty position in Medical Physics, the University of Victoria. The Department of Physics and Astronomy invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Position in the area of medical physics. The appointment will be effective July 1, 2015 2014-MP-Advert.
July 30, 2014 – Postdoc position at the Department of Radiation Physics, the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. If you have Monte Carlo experience and you are looking for a postdoc position please contact Dr. Gabriel O. Sawakuchi, Assistant Professor at the Department of Radiation Physics, the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 94, Houston, RX Tel: Office: 713-794-4034; Lab: 7013-794-5009. Email: gsawakuchi@mdanderson.org.