The first validation of personalised dosimetry for molecular radiotherapy using 3D printed organs - Invited resubmission.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
With this grant we will develop the first system for accurately validating organ dose estimates for patients receiving cancer therapy using radioactive materials which target their tumours, known as Molecular Radiotherapy (MRT). Currently simple water filled cylinders or spheres of varying sizes are used to represent patient organs when testing the accuracy of measurements of radiation dose delivered to tumours and critical organs in a patients body. These cylinders are used as a calibration to convert the number of gamma rays detected in a SPECT gamma-camera system to an activity inside a patient's organ. Our current research has shown that this calibration method can actually result in organ dose estimates with systematic errors of up to 40%, preventing individualised patient treatments from being optimised. Consequently a significant number of patients do not currently receive the optimal therapy.
By using realistic 3D printed models based on CT scans of patient organs we can accurately determine how well current commercial systems measure the dose to individual patient organs. This provides the first rigorous validation of these systems, a necessary requirement if the systems are to be used for all patient therapies. Our 3D printed models will also provide a much more accurate activity calibration, based on real organ geometries, for the SPECT scanner systems used to measure dose for MRT.
Accurate MRT dose information is now considered very important in countries across Europe. Legislation now recommends accurate dosimetry for every patient receiving Molecular radiotherapy treatment. Our research will provide a new gold standard for assessing dosimetry systems used in clinical departments. This will highlight any weaknesses in current systems and in combination with our new realistic calibration factor measurements will allow the accuracy of dose measurements to be improved for all SPECT camera systems and MRT therapies.
By establishing the accuracy of current dosimetry systems we will be able to provide a pathway to improve current commercial systems based on techniques from our recent research and future developments based on our 3D printed models. We are currently working with a leading provider of nuclear medicine workstation software who are supporting our work to validate their system. A rigorously validated commercial system has the potential to provide a significant improvement in the outcome of an estimated 201,00 MRT therapies performed annually in Europe.
By using realistic 3D printed models based on CT scans of patient organs we can accurately determine how well current commercial systems measure the dose to individual patient organs. This provides the first rigorous validation of these systems, a necessary requirement if the systems are to be used for all patient therapies. Our 3D printed models will also provide a much more accurate activity calibration, based on real organ geometries, for the SPECT scanner systems used to measure dose for MRT.
Accurate MRT dose information is now considered very important in countries across Europe. Legislation now recommends accurate dosimetry for every patient receiving Molecular radiotherapy treatment. Our research will provide a new gold standard for assessing dosimetry systems used in clinical departments. This will highlight any weaknesses in current systems and in combination with our new realistic calibration factor measurements will allow the accuracy of dose measurements to be improved for all SPECT camera systems and MRT therapies.
By establishing the accuracy of current dosimetry systems we will be able to provide a pathway to improve current commercial systems based on techniques from our recent research and future developments based on our 3D printed models. We are currently working with a leading provider of nuclear medicine workstation software who are supporting our work to validate their system. A rigorously validated commercial system has the potential to provide a significant improvement in the outcome of an estimated 201,00 MRT therapies performed annually in Europe.
Organisations
- University of Manchester (Collaboration, Lead Research Organisation)
- Hermes Medical Solutions (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
- National Physical Laboratory (Collaboration)
- THE CHRISTIE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (Collaboration)
- Hermes Medical Solutions (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Project Partner)
Publications
Price E
(2019)
Improving molecular radiotherapy dosimetry using anthropomorphic calibration.
in Physica medica : PM : an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology : official journal of the Italian Association of Biomedical Physics (AIFB)
Price E
(2019)
Positional dependence of activity determination in single photon emission computed tomography.
in Nuclear medicine communications
Price G
(2020)
An open source heterogeneous 3D printed mouse phantom utilising a novel bone representative thermoplastic.
in Physics in medicine and biology
Robinson AP
(2016)
The influence of triple energy window scatter correction on activity quantification for (1 7 7)Lu molecular radiotherapy.
in Physics in medicine and biology
Robinson AP
(2016)
Organ-specific SPECT activity calibration using 3D printed phantoms for molecular radiotherapy dosimetry.
in EJNMMI physics
| Description | We have discovered a way to improve the dosimetry of patients undergoing targeted molecular radiotherapy at the Christie Hospital. In targeted molecular therapy, a radioactive agent is injected into the body. The agent is attached to a compound (e.g. glucose) which is preferentially uptaken by tumour cells. The radioactive agent then decays and the gamma-rays are used to image and treat the tumour. Each time a patient undergoes this treatment, the scanner has to be calibrated and this is currently done by including a sphere filled with a known amount of the radioactive agent beside the human body. Our method has involved replacing this sphere with a more realistic representation of the tumour using 3D printed organs to calibrate the SPECT scanner response. This should lead to improved patient prognosis as more optimised or patient specific healthcare may ultimately become possible with more accurate dosimetry. |
| Exploitation Route | These research findings may ultimately (once validated) be taken to the market via a licence agreement with our industrial collaborator (Hermes Medical Solutions Ltd) and used with permission to analyse results from research patients undergoing therapies at the Christie Hospital. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| Description | Current clinical application of Molecular Radiotherapy, MRT, is based on a standard administration of activity, which may be adjusted for factors such as gender and weight. Due to the wide variation in patient biokinetics and anatomies, the subsequent dose per standard administration varies significantly; in some cases up to two orders of magnitude. To address these inaccuracies, a range of 3D printed organ phantoms have been fabricated and scanned at The Christie. Subsequent validation with simulation enables Monte Carlo methods to be employed as a viable clinical tool to enable an individual approach to molecular radiotherapy. The ultimate impact of the work, following adoption into clinical software, is an increase in both efficacy of treatment and careful management of radiation exposure to healthy surrounding tissue. A challenge encountered in the application of MC method to clinical practise is the time - computational resource demand. This may be reduced by 2-3 orders of magnitude by the use of Neural Network based ARF for SPECT simulations. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Changed current practice for calibration Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Clinical Implementation of Dosimetry in Molecular Radiotherapy - a European initiative. |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The work performed in ST/K002945/1 and ST/M004589/1 has provided a large part of the foundation of the EMPIR funded project "MRTDosimetry: Metrology for clinical implementation of dosimetry in molecular radiotherapy". This multi-national project if focused on the clinical implementation and it is strongly directed by the involvement of leading MRT clinics across Europe as well as building on metrology expertise. The project runs from 1st June 2016 to 31st May 2019 with a total budget of 2.2M euros and involves 18 partners, including 12 of the leading nuclear medicine centres in the EU, and 14 collaborating organisations including the University of Manchester. Expertise in 3D printing phantom production and SPECT calibration from STFC funded work allowed Dr Robinson to lead the development of the project work packages on Quantitative Imaging and Dosimetry comparison. To date this project has produced 6 peer reviewed open access scientific publications, 17 conferences presentations and posters and has engaged with 6 international standards bodies. An explicit example of work traceable to ST/K002945/1 and "Robinson et al, PMB, 61(14), 2016" are the protocols developed in the MRTDosimetry project for traceable quantitative imaging calibration for SPECT. This work has been incorporated into an upcoming IAEA Human Health Series Handbook on Dosimetry for Radiopharmaceutical Therapy. Further impact from ST/K002945/1 has been delivered by the delivery of a NHS HSST training lecture on "Optimisation of imaging with Monte Carlo simulation" which has formed part of this national training scheme since 2017. The research developed in this STFC funded work is now being developed as part of the UK National Measurement Service programme at NPL, supported by the worlds only dedicated nuclear medicine imaging metrology laboratory. |
| URL | http://mrtdosimetry-empir.eu/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2017/05/MRTDosimetry-Publishable-Summary.p... |
| Description | Invited Talk - (Robinson) Validation of calibration protocols and the MRTDosimetry project - EANM Annual Congress, Vienna, Austria |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Invited talk (Robinson) - MRTDosimetry: a new pan-european project for implementation of dosimetry in molecular radiotherapy. ICRM, LSWG, Buenos Aries, Argentina, |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Positional dependence of activity determination in SPECT - submitted article to Nuclear Medicine Communications to demonstrate the importance of verifying attenuation correction in clinical software. |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | STFC Industrial CASE Studentship Panel (Dave Cullen) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | https://stfc.ukri.org/funding/studentships/industrial-case-studentships/ |
| Description | STFC Industrial Case Award - Validation of clinical radionuclide therapy dose distribution by a novel system of 3D printed anthropomorphic phantoms. |
| Amount | £80,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/M003302/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2015 |
| End | 10/2019 |
| Title | A custom made elliptical phantom (CATIE, the Christie Anatomical Tomographic Imaging Ellipse) |
| Description | A custom made elliptical phantom (CATIE, the Christie Anatomical Tomographic Imaging Ellipse) has been employed to scan a range of patient organ phantoms to investigate geometrical effects. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2013 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The phantom was used at The Christie to allow new data to be collected. These data were analysed and resulted in 3 publications so far. |
| Title | High Throughput Condor Monte-Carlo Simulation Cluster |
| Description | Implemeted a |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | ... |
| Title | Monte Carlo SPECT simulation validation |
| Description | Developing a validation protocol that can be applied to Monte Carlo simulations of SPECT systems. Currently under development but plan to publish in the future. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This validation protocol is being used to extensively validate the simulation of the Mediso AnyScan SPECT system. Once complete, this protocol will be published and will be possible to apply to any Monte Carlo SPECT simulations. |
| Title | A range of anthropomorphic phantoms, based on real patient CT data, has been manufactured through fused filament fabrication and scanned at The Christie |
| Description | A range of patient phantoms has been scanned using real patient distributions of 99*Tc and 177Lu to allow for validation of MC simulation over a realistic cohort. This experimental data may further be used to probe the efficacy of clinical image reconstruction software packages. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The impact in validating MC simulation is the use of this to utilise patient specific s-factors, enabling an individual approach to MRT (molecular radiotherapy) dosimetry - with significantly greater accuracy than currently employed clinical models. |
| Title | Monte Carlo simulation of the Mediso Anyscan SPECT system |
| Description | A detailed Monte Carlo simulation has been created in GATE for the Mediso AnyScan SPECT system. This model can be used to simulate SPECT acquisitions and has been used in a large amount of research for this project. |
| Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This simulation model is being used as the basis for a SPECT simulation validation protocol which we aim to publish. It has also been used to generate primary research data for the PhD project and has been used by other team members on related projects. |
| Description | Hermes Medical Solutions Limited |
| Organisation | Hermes Medical Solutions |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Non-DIsclosure agreement in place. We have shared informaiton on Monte-Carlo modelling and dosimerty. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Hemes has shared information and have modified their commercial code to support our work. They have given us unique access to their code developers. |
| Impact | Additional grant proposal currently in submission through the STFC CLASP Scheme |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | NPL |
| Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have shared information on SOECT cameras calibration and nuclear physics knowledge. |
| Collaborator Contribution | NPL has provided access to absolute calibration standards |
| Impact | A new PhD student has been sponsored through this collaboration |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Terbium production with WMIC |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Department | Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have provided a natural gadolinium foil to be irradiated with protons at the cyclotron at WMIC with the aim of studying terbium production. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC) has provided their cyclotron and expertise for this work. |
| Impact | This collaboration has provided data for my PhD and will be used to study the feasibility of producing clinical-quantities of theranostic terbium from this method. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Nuclear Medicine Department. |
| Organisation | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust |
| Department | Christie Medical Physics and Engineering |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | We have provided the physics expertise needed to deliver improved dose calculations for Molecular Radiotherapy treatments at The Christie. This work has combined existing expertise in Monte-Carlo simulation, from basic nuclear physics research, and novel new 3D printing techniques. This collaboration has already delivered improved activity quantification for MRT at The Christie which provide the foundation of accurate and optimised patient dose calculations. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Christie has provide access to anonymised patient data, clinical SPECT cameras, Molecular Radio Therapy (MRT) isotopes and current MRT dosimetry software which has allowed the techniques developed in this work to be translate to a clinical environment. The research output from this collaboration has provided improved activity quantification and validation of exiting MRT dosimetry software. |
| Impact | This collaboration has delivered improved activity quantification for Molecular Radio Therapy at The Christie which provide the foundation of accurate and optimised patient dose calculations. The research output from this collaboration has provided improved activity quantification and validation of exiting Molecular Radio Therapy dosimetry software. The collaboration has submitted two research papers on this work. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | University of Birmingham |
| Organisation | University of Birmingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have provided calculations of optimal proton and alpha energies for irradiation of gadolinium and europium targets with the aim of producing theranostic terbium isotopes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The University of Birmingham has permitted use of their cyclotron for irradiation of our natural gadolinium targets and their expertise in accelerator physics. |
| Impact | This collaboration has provided data for my PhD as well as data for one of Birmingham's PhD students. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Title | 3-D printed moving mini SPECT model for outreach |
| Description | A physical model of a SPECT system has been created out of 3D printed parts and Arduino motors. The model is used for outreach with schools and members of the public, in order to discuss the applications of nuclear physics in medicine. |
| Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | This model has been taken to events at 3 different schools and was very well received by students and teachers. It forms part of an outreach project which aims to highlight the applications of nuclear physics in medicine. The model was also showcased at an open day event for members of the public at the Christie Hospital. Unfortunately, the pandemic meant that several more planned events had to be cancelled, such as more visits to schools and the Pint of Science evenings for the public. There are plans to develop this project further and print more models which can be sent to schools since visits are still difficult. |
| Title | Software for 3D printing and Geant simulation |
| Description | Software to convert between CT scan images and CAD drawing packages to that which can be printed by a 3D printer. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2016 |
| Impact | We are being approached by other academics about producing 3D images and another group at The Christie hospital. |
| Description | Institute of Physics Annual Conference, Manchester 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented a talk on 90Y SPECT dosimetry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Presented Poster at European Association Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg October 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented poster which sparked conversations and discsussions about 90Y SPECT dosimetry |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Presented Talk at internal Dosimerty Users Group meeting at The Christie Hospital NHS Trust, October 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented talk which sparked questions and debate about 90Y SPECT Dosimetry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | 3D printing for molecular radiotherapy dosimetry - IDUG/BIR conference on the future of molecular radiotherapy dosimetry, Oxford, UK, 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The talk highlighted the use of 3D printing as a way to provide a more presonalised dosimetry for patients underoing SPECT. The talk was to the UK Internal User's Dosimetry Group and included clinicians and researchers working in SPECT dosimetry. The talk sparked several questions from the audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | 3D printing for molecular radiotherapy dosimetry. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented talk at the IDUG/BIR conference on the future of molecular radiotherapy dosimetry, Oxford, UK, 2016 on the use of 3D printed phantoms in calibration and more accurate dosimetry with SPECT scanners. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | A. P. Robinson and T. Stora, Collaborating against cancer, Pan European Networks: Health, 01 (2017), pp. 30-33 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Atricle published in Pan European Networks: Health, 01 (2017) pp. 30-33. Pan European Networks exist to provide up to the minute news and developments from across the entire spectrum of European policy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2017 |
| Description | Dalton Day symposium, The University of Manchester November 2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented talk to Dalton students who work in industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | EANM presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented work virtually at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Conference. Awarded a 'Top-rated oral presentation'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | GATE user meeting talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave a talk on my Mediso simulation and terbium SPECT imaging work at the Gate User meeting as part of the IEEE conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | HeadStart summer school talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | HeadStart Nuclear Physics Summer School. Gave a tour of the physics department to students and gave a talk regarding my research and my path into this PhD. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | IEEE poster presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented a virtual poster and gave a 5 minute presentation on Monte Carlo SPECT simulation validation at the IEEE Nuclear Science and Medical Imaging Conference. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | INPC talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave talk at the International Nuclear Physics Conference in Glasgow on terbium standardisation and quantitative SPECT. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | MEDICIS-promed talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave talk on the quantitative Tb-155 imaging work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | MetroMRT (Molecular Radiotherapy) Workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented latest research developments to the EU EMPIR-MetroMRT project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015 |
| URL | http://projects.npl.co.uk/metromrt |
| Description | NPL MEMPHYS Workshop on Applications of 3D printing for medical phantoms |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk title: An individual approach to Molecular radiotherapy dosimetry using 3D printed phantoms |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | NuSPRASEN talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave talk on the terbium standardisation measurements and calibration factors for quantitative SPECT at the NuSPRASEN workshop on applications of nuclear physics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Nuclear Head Start programme. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on applied nuclear medical physics research and associated career opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2015 |
| URL | http://www.etrust.org.uk/nuclear-physics-manchester |
| Description | Nuclear Medicine Conference presentations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentations at: 1. British Nuclear Medecine Society annual meetings. 2. European Association of Nuclear medicine Congress. 3. International Conference on Medical Physics. 4. Nuclear Symposium on Science in Society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015 |
| Description | Online chats with school students-I'm a scientist |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I was asked to return to to I'm a Scientist take part in another online outreach event that ran for 10 weeks from April. 120 scientists and 1186 students from 52 schools took part in the event. The students voted me as 'scientist of the week' for one of the 10 weeks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://imascientist.org.uk/ |
| Description | Open Day at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in support of International Day of Medical Physics |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Operated a stand on site at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust demonstrating public engagement tools developed by the collaboration, with the purpose of informing the general public and fellow staff at The Christie about the work undertaken by both the department and the collaboration. Tools included a miniature model of a SPECT scanner with rotating heads that could be used to explain the mechanics of its operation. Visitors included staff, patients at The Christie and other people on site on the day. All visitors left interested and grateful for insight provided as well as entertained by the content of the stand. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presented poster at British Nuclear Medicine Society, Brighton, April 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented poster which parked questions and debates afterwards. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | School visit- Cheadle Hulme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Gave three 20 minute presentations to three groups of students from years 7, 9, 10 and 12 about my PhD project as part of an after school program for students interested in science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | School visit- Manchester Creative Studio |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 'Speed Networking' event with Key Stage 4 students. Short presentation about my research followed by general questions about PhD/ studying physics. with small groups of students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Science Unlocked Talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Gave a virtual talk as part of the University of Manchester's Science Unlocked program for academics and professionals at the University of Manchester and the Christie Hospital. Around 40 people joined the session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Step into the future event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Repeat of 'Step into your future' event. Spoke to around 60 students for 5 minutes each about my research and what studying physics is like. Part of a 'Step into your future' day designed to give school students information about careers in STEM subjects. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Step into the future event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 'Step into the future event' held at the University of Manchester for year 10 girls from Levenshulme High School. Spoke to small groups about studying physics and a PhD. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Talk at IOP Nuclear Physics Conference, 3-6 April, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presented talk at the IOP Nuclear Physics Conference, 3-6 April, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.Talk entitles: Patient specific Monte Carlo dose calculations for 3D printed phantom studies |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk at Radiotherapy Modelling Workshop at Luz Saint Sauveur |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented a talk at a workshop on radiotherapy modelling organised by the SFPM (Société Française de Physique Médicale). Dates: 21 - 24 September 2016. Talk title: 'Patient specific Monte Carlo dose calculations for 3D printed phantom studies in molecular radiotherapy' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://luz2016.sfpm.fr/Luz/Welcome.html |
| Description | Talk to Year 10s - Whalley Range |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Presentation to year 10 students describing my research area. Run by the Manchester INFUSE project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Talk to a primary school class |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Gave a talk on my research area to a class of around 30 10 - 11 year old students. Sparked a lot of questions from the students about my work and general science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Talk to school students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Talk to students from a few visiting schools describing my research area and my path to this PhD. Run by the Manchester INFUSE project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Talk to the Trafford Ogden Partnership of schools |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Gave a talk on nuclear medicine and isotope production over Zoom to around 50 Year 12 students from schools around Trafford as part of a Year 12 Study Week with the Trafford Ogden Trust. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Talk to undergraduate society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Gave a talk over Zoom to the University of Manchester's undergraduate Nuclear and Particle Physics Society on my research area. Around 50 people attended the session and the talk was recorded for the society's Facebook page. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | UK Nuclear Physics Lockdown Seminar Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I gave a 20 minute presentation over Zoom on validation of Monte Carlo SPECT simulations as part of the UK Nuclear Physics Lockdown Seminar Series. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.lockdownseminars.co.uk/ |
| Description | Videos for Ogden Trust schools |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | I have been producing short videos on nuclear physics for school students at the Challenge Academy Trust. I have also started putting together videos from other PhD students. This project continues to expand with more talks on different subjects from different students. I have been informed the videos have been added to the schools' Schemes of Work for the curriculum and will continue to be shown to science GCSE students across the Trust of schools. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
| Description | Visit to school - Connell Sixth Form |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 'Speed networking' event for year 10 students from Whalley Range High School. Arranged through STEM ambassadors. Spoke to around 60 students for 4-5 minutes each about studying physics. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Visit to school - Loreto Grammar school |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Gave 6 10-minute talks to groups of year 10 school students from Loreto Grammar School and nearby schools as part of an event organised with the Trafford Ogden Trust partnership. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Visit to school- Ashton on Mersey |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Spoke to around 40 female pupils from year 9 and 10 in small groups about my research and what working in physics is like. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit to school- Manchester Academy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Participating in a exhibition being hosted at Manchester Academy for roughly 1000 school students from the area. The day aims to raise aspirations and enthusiasm for different areas of STEM during British Science Week. I discussed my research area and its impact with small groups of students for the whole day. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Visit to school- Stockport Grammar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Gave a lunch time talk on nuclear medicine to a group of ~30 students from year 7 to 13. Also showed the SPECT camera Raspberry Pi model built with the I'm A Scientist money. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit to school- Urmston Grammar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Repeat of the 'Speed networking' evening event for mums and year 8 daughters to give girls an idea of what a career in physics or engineering would be like. Around 40 mum-daughter pairs and 24 women in STEM attended. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Visit to school- Urmston Grammar |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | 'Speed networking' evening event for mums and year 8 daughters to give girls an idea of what a career in physics or engineering would be like. Around 40 mum-daughter pairs from schools around the Trafford area, and 24 women in STEM attended. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Winner of online outreach activity- I'm a Scientist- Get me out of here! |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | An on-line activity where school students connect with scientists. A total of 3,863 school students from participating schools across the country could ask questions to scientists through live chats and the website. I was the winner in the "nuclear zone" which was supported by STFC. For winning I received £500 to put towards other outreach activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://imascientist.org.uk/ |
| Description | Women in physics summer school talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 'Women In Physics Summer School'. Event for female physics undergraduates from the UK and Germany. Chatting to participants and discussing what a PhD is like and what my research is on. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Workshop: Headstart Summer school |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Talk title: An introduction to Nuclear medicine. Presentation to teachers at the "teach the teachers" meeting. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |