University of Victoria

At BC Cancer-Victoria, existing pathways for patients requiring rapid, same-day RT are limited to simple field-based planning. Patients who would benefit from more conformal techniques or who require consideration of prior treatment history currently experien...

To compare the reproducibility of radiomics features between deep learning (DL) and adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) CT images under systematic acquisition parameter variations using the GE Revolution Apex scanner.

TH- Brachytherapy

To compare digital coincidence detection (DCD) with analog charge summation (ACS) for a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) photon counting detector (PCD) and evaluate the impact on spatial resolution in PCD computed tomography (CT) as a function of imaging beam ene...

Single-photon counting computed tomography (SPCCT) offers distinct advantages over conventional CT through energy-resolved measurements, enhanced spatial resolution, and improved soft-tissue contrast. While SPCCT demonstrates utility in diagnostic imaging, it...

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are promising radiosensitizing agents for high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR); however, complex treatment delivery for HDR has prohibited systematic evaluation of GNP-induced radiosensitization both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we use...

While CT imaging has advanced with improved machine design, further diagnostic information can be achieved by enhancing sensitivity to high-Z therapeutic agents. Current photon-counting CT (PCCT) k-edge imaging sensitivity is limited by spectral overlap betwe...

To evaluate image quality for the Kilovoltage Optimized AcceLerator Adaptive radiotherapy (KOALA) system, a dual-robot cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging and radiotherapy device.

KOALA (Kilovoltage Optimized for AcceLerator Adaptive therapy) is a low-cost adaptive radiotherapy device designed for use in resource-limited settings. KOALA includes cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging characterized by scatter artifacts and unreliable HU values tha...

To demonstrate an automated workflow for fiducial marker tracking using online daily CBCT data and to characterize the geometric limitations of utilizing offline CT-sim fiducial centroids for the Varian TrueBeam triggered-imaging system.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are candidate cancer cell radiosensitizers, they can be targeted with peptides containing the αvβ3 integrin binding domain RGD (arginine, glycine, aspartic acid). This integrin is overexpressed in many cancer cells. Peptide shape-bas...

The integration of radiosensitizing chemotherapeutics with radiotherapy represents a promising strategy to enhance tumor response. However, conventional systemic administration often results in limited tumor drug delivery, reducing radiosensitization while in...

To experimentally characterize low-energy helium-4 (⁴He⁺) ion beams at subclinical energies (0.5–1.5 MeV/u) at the newly commissioned ASPIRE facility at TRIUMF using radiochromic film dosimetry, and to validate the measured dose distributions through Monte Ca...

To evaluate the feasibility of delivering minibeam spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT) using a novel, low-cost, dual-robot system, the Kilovoltage Optimized AcceLerator for Adaptive therapy (KOALA).

To optimize a N-Isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM)-based polymer gel dosimeter for kilovoltage x-ray irradiations, and to demonstrate its application for 3D isocenter verification.

To evaluate the reproducibility and electron density sensitivity of CT radiomics features across spectral image types and deep learning reconstruction levels using a tissue-equivalent phantom.

Radiotherapy with a 6 MV linear accelerator is extensively employed in cancer treatment, particularly for targeting deep-seated tumors. In our work, we have focused on maximizing the dose that can be safely delivered to patients. Our primarygoal is to optimiz...

To evaluate and compare double-scattered 3D conformal (DS 3D-CRT) and pencil beam scanning (PBS) for ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) very high energy electron (VHEE) radiotherapy.

Knowledge-based planning tools like RapidPlan (RP) estimate dose-volume histograms (DVH) for organs-at-risk based on anatomical features and historical data. DVH estimates can then be used to guide treatment planning. However, planners may modify the optimiza...

Therapy Physics

Clinical innovation is essential for advancing radiation therapy and is often led by clinically medical physicists. As the clinical and academic landscape evolves, establishing a research portfolio presents challenges and new opportunities for medical physici...

To develop FAST-X to deliver ultra-high dose-rate (UHDR) irradiation for complex cranial targets.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the clinical standard for bone mineral density assessment but is constrained by energy-integrating detectors. This study investigates the feasibility of DXA imaging using a benchtop photon-counting detector (PCD).

The mechanism responsible for the “FLASH-effect”, the observed healthy tissue sparing without impacting tumor control when irradiating at ultra-high dose-rates is still highly debated. After a decade of research, several hypotheses emerged, yet, none can expl...

To develop a fast TPS for the dual-robot Kilovoltage Optimized Adaptive Radiotherapy (KOALA) system utilizing a 225-kVp x-ray beam and iris collimation.

Therapy Physics

Very-high-energy electron (VHEE) radiotherapy is an emerging modality that currently lacks established dosimetric verification protocols, motivating the development of real-time treatment monitoring methods. This work investigates the potential for positron e...

Therapy Physics

Leadership

To investigate the synergistic radiosensitization of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and paclitaxel (PTX) in high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer using 2D (monolayer) and 3D (spheroid) cell models. HDR is used as a localized boost following extern...

To quantify treatment-associated immune density changes in prostate cancer following HDR brachytherapy, and to determine whether Raman spectroscopic signatures of tissue biochemistry may serve as potential biomarkers of immune response.