Medical Physics and Biomaterials

Medical physics can be broadly defined as the application of physical methods, concepts, and technology to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of human disease. Basic science has always played an important role in the medical sciences. For instance, the technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was invented in a physics laboratory, and radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer requires careful calculation and planning of radiation doses. Physical techniques have also led to important insights at the scale of the single cell, improving our understanding of cellular mechanics and interactions.

Western has a long tradition of cutting-edge medical research. The proximity of the University Hospital, the Robarts Research Institute, the Lawson Health Science Centre, and the London Regional Cancer Centre makes the Department of Physics & Astronomy a natural place to conduct research in medical physics and biophysics.

Biomaterials research is concerned with biological materials and biocompatible materials (synthetic or natural materials used to replace or interface with biological materials).

Recent, current, and potential projects:

  • development of field-cycled MRI high strength gradient system design, construction, and implementation
  • human peripheral nerve stimulation in MRI gradient systems
  • electromagnetic field modeling and measurement in biological systems
  • PET (positron emission tomography) and SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography)
  • measurement of the elastic properties of cells by atomic force microscopy
  • development of numerical methods for optimizing radiotherapy for cancer treatment
  • numerical models of photosynthesis
  • high-resolution studies of biomineralization using the atomic force microscope
  • ultrasound imaging & modelling
  • hemodynamic (blood flow) studies and simulations
  • radiation dosimetry and modelling
  • radiation therapy and imaging for cancer

Core Faculty in Medical Physics :

  • Blaine A. Chronik, Assistant Professor
    • Canada Research Chair in Medical Physics
    • (PhD Western Ontario 2000)
    • NMR and MRI systems development research
    • human safety in MRI
    • modeling of electromagnetic exposure in biological systems
  • Tamie L. Poepping, Assistant Professor
    • (PhD Western Ontario 2002)
      • ultrasound (imaging and Doppler) research and system development
    • hemodynamic (blood flow) studies and simulations
    • particle imaging velocimetry studies
  • Eugene Wong, Associate Professor
    • (PhD Pennsylvania 1992)
    • radiation oncology
  • John de Bruyn, Professor
    • (PhD University of British Columbia 1987)
    • dynamics of systems driven out of equilibrium
    • pattern formation
    • granular flows
    • non-Newtonian fluids
  • Michael G. Cottam, Professor
    • (PhD Oxford 1969)
    • surface physics
    • nanomaterials science
    • non-linear processes in solids
  • Jeffrey L. Hutter, Assistant Professor
    • (PhD Simon Fraser, 1997)
    • mapping of cellular mechanical properties by AFM
    • high-resolution studies of biomineralization
  • Silvia Mittler, Professor
    • (PhD Max-Planck Institute)
    • evanescent microscopy for biological applications
    • biomineralization
    • biocompatibility
    • biosensors

Adjunct and Affiliated Faculty:

  • Jerry J. Battista, London Regional Cancer Centre
    • (PhD Toronto 1977)
    • radiation dosimetry and imaging;
    • tomotherapy
    • radiobiology of DNA damage and repair
  • Dick J. Drost, Lawson Health Research Institute
    • (PhD Toronto 1983)
    • magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
    • in-vivo MRS quantification
  • Aaron Fenster, Robarts Research Institute
    • Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Engineering
    • (PhD Toronto 1976)
    • 3D ultrasound for vascular imaging
    • image-guided surgery
  • S. Pedro Goldman, Chair of Physics, Ryerson University
    • (PhD Toronto)
    • numerical models for radiation treatment planning
  • David W. Holdsworth, Robarts Research Institute
    • (PhD Alberta 1990)
    • imaging and modeling related to musculoskeletal diseases
    • micro-computed tomography
    • imaged-guided vascular intervention
    • ultrasound measurements of hemodynamics
  • Ravi S. Menon, Robarts Research Institute
    • Canada Research Chair in Functional Neuroimaging
    • (PhD Alberta 1990)
    • functional magnetic resonance imaging
    • magnetic resonance spectroscopy
  • Peter R. Norton, Department of Chemistry
    • (PhD Nottingham 1966)
    • atomic force microscopy of cells
  • Frank S. Prato, Lawson Health Research Institute
    • (PhD Toronto 1976)
    • magnetic resonance imaging
    • PET/CT (positron emission tomography and x-ray computed tomography)
    • bioelectromagnetics
  • Brian K. Rutt, Robarts Research Institute
    • (PhD Toronto 1978)
    • magnetic resonance imaging
    • gradient and radio-frequency systems development for MRI
  • Giles E. Santyr, Western Medical Biophysics and Robarts Research Institute
    • (PhD University of Toronto)
    • magnetic resonance imaging methods for the lung
    • use of hyperpolarized noble gases in medical imaging
  • R. Terry Thompson, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
    • (PhD Waterloo 1975)
    • near-infrared imaging
    • magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
  • Jake Van Dyk, London Regional Cancer Centre
    • (MSc Western Ontario 1971)
    • radiation dosimetry
    • outcome optimization of 3D conformal radiation therapy

Facilities