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The Medical Physics Program (MPP) is an integral component
of the Radiation Therapy Regional Network of TBRHSC –
Regional Cancer Care (RCC), providing the scientific support
required for the medical use of radiation.
Since innovation is key to advancing the techniques for treating
cancer, a variety of research
initiatives have been engaged, Undergraduate courses in
Nuclear Physics are taught through Lakehead University and
graduate courses in Medical Physics have been offered jointly
with medical physicists of the Northeastern Ontario Regional
Cancer Centre in Sudbury, through the Physics departments
of both Laurentian and Lakehead universities. MPP physicists
also supervise graduate students pursuing MSc degrees through
Lakehead and Laurentian.
 Investigations
and Emerging Technology
A dedicated Medical Physics Research Laboratory (MPRL) has
been established within the MPP where investigations are conducted
into the role of light and lasers in the diagnosis and treatment
of cancer. New opportunities are presented as both basic physical
understanding and technological development continue to evolve.
Some techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy, are well established
but not so much so with regard to possible applications in
oncology.
Other techniques, such as multi-photon excitation, are in
relative infancy of development, and hold promise of capabilities
unachievable at present.In collaboration with the Physics
Department of Lakehead University, the MPP has embarked upon
such investigations. Currently the investigations conducted
in the MPRL relate to visible to near-IR imaging and spectroscopy
of live cells and fixed tissue samples.
Partnerships
Resources for research within Northwestern Ontario are limited,
and the limited size of the MPP underscores the need to network
with other research groups in the region.
Part of the intent of the MPRL is to provide a principal
focus for research performed within the MPP (although clearly
clinical needs will continue to motivate investigations that
will occasionally depart from that focus). The focus is to
be one that facilitates networking with external research
activities and efforts undertaken within the laboratory will
attempt to coalesce with other efforts within RCC and beyond.
Collaborations with Lakehead University's Physics and Chemistry
departments are one example, but there is also significant
interaction with the RCC’s
main Research Laboratory. Alignment of the efforts of
these disparate groups is demonstrating the desired synergistic
effect.
Funding
Our funding has been derived from a number of sources, the
most significant of which is the Northern
Cancer Research Foundation (NCRF). In addition, funding
has also been accrued from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund
Corporation and from vendor contributions.
Peter L. McGhee, PhD, FCCPM
Director, Medical Physics Program, TBRHSC - RCC
Adjunct Professor, Physics Department, Lakehead University
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Adjunct Professor, Physics Department, Laurentian University
Bans Arjune, MSc, MCCPM
Medical Physicist, Medical Physics Program, TBRHSC - RCC
Sylvie Landry, PhD
Medical Physics Project Coordinator, Medical Physics Program,
TBRHSC - RCC
Patrick L. Rapley, PhD, FCCPM
Medical Physicist, Medical Physics Program, TBRHSC - RCC
Adjunct Professor, Physics and Chemistry Departments, Lakehead
University
Michael Tassotto, PhD, MCCPM
Medical Physicist, Medical Physics Program, TBRHSC - RCC
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