UBC Physics and Astronomy is involved in a broad range of medical physics research in the areas of radiation therapy, medical imaging, biomedical optics and radiation biophysics.
Dr. MacKay's group is developing MR techniques for imaging myelin in brain	PET provides first evidence of neurochemical changes induced by the placebo effect

Stereotactic Radiosurgery is a high precision technique used to treat benign and malignant lesions in the brain. (view enlargement)

Radiation Therapy The ultimate aim of our research in radiation therapy at the BC Cancer Agency is to provide more accurate and effective cancer therapies. Current research on existing techniques include aspects of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery and permanent seed implant of the prostate. The group is also using film, polyacrylamide gels and amorphous silicon imagers to explore improvements in the accuracy of radiation dose measurements. Finally, Monte Carlo Simulation techniques are being applied to develop more accurate dose calculations.

Medical Imaging Members of the department are actively researching a variety of medical imaging techniques. Three groups work in Magnetic Resonance Imaging - investigation of contrast mechanisms; advanced magnetic resonance techniques; and in vivo studies of prostrate cancer. MRI research has been facilitated by the new High Field MR Imaging Centre. Our Nuclear Medicine Imaging group is pursuing research in quantitative SPECT imaging and dynamic SPECT. The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) research group work on technique development with a clinical focus on neurodegeneration. There is also research on the optimization of dose in Computed Tomography (CT).

The SPECT imaging machine

Automated imaging systems form a core component of Cancer Imaging's research.

Biomedical Optics The cancer imaging group at the BC Cancer Research Centre exploits the interaction of light at both the micro- and macro-scopic level to detect, delineate, grade and treat early (predominantly pre-invasive) cancers. The group is currently focused on early cancer management issues in the Lung, Cervix, Prostate, Breast and Skin. Radiation Biophysics Research in the radiation biophysics laboratory at the BC Cancer Research Centre is focused on improving radiation and drug treatment of solid tumours and also includes studies into the biology and vasculature of solid tumours as well as methods of treating tumours and predicting their response to treatment.

See also information about our MSc (Medical Physics) Degree Program.  

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Alphabetical List of Faculty Engaged in Medical Physics Research

Douglas Bryman	Professor/Warren Chair, Experimental Particle Physics/ Medical Imaging	Research Field: Particle Physics, Applied Physics (radiation imaging) Topics include: Measurements of Rare Particle Decays, PET Detectors, Geophysical Tomography
Alex L. MacKay	Professor, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging	Group URL: (http://www.mriresearch.ubc.ca) Research Field: Medical Physics
Stefan Reinsberg	Assistant Professor, Medical Physics	Research Field: MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Topics include: MRI and MRS in Cancer, Image Method Development
Vesna Sossi	Professor, Medical Imaging - PET	Group URL: (http://www.pet.ubc.ca) Research Field: Positron Emission Tomography Brain Imaging