Ampere (Access for Medical Physicists to Education and Research Excellence): Building Global Leaders in Medical Physics
Description
The AMPERE (Access for Medical Physicists to Education and Research Excellence) program, developed in partnership with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), is a new NIH-supported Research Education initiative designed to strengthen the global medical physics workforce through immersive training and mentorship. Cancer incidence and mortality continue to rise worldwide, with the majority of the burden occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Addressing this crisis requires innovative educational platforms that empower medical physicists to contribute meaningfully to cancer care, research, and technology development across diverse health systems. AMPERE provides a mentored 12-week hands-on fellowship in LMIC partner institutions, paired with a year-round virtual mentoring and collaboration platform. This dual structure allows graduate students and residents to work on cutting-edge projects in radiotherapy, imaging, and nuclear medicine while engaging in cross-cultural peer-to-peer exchange. The program also integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and low-cost virtual reality (VR) platforms to enhance collaboration, knowledge sharing, and training, helping to overcome geographic and resource barriers. This session will introduce AMPERE’s model and early outcomes, highlighting its innovative approach to global mentorship, its alignment with AAPM’s strategic priorities, and its potential to build a sustainable pipeline of globally engaged medical physics leaders. Presenters will discuss preliminary results, challenges, and strategies for scaling AMPERE, including the role of U.S.-LMIC partnerships in advancing research, education, and health equity in cancer care.