Interview - PTW

INTERVIEW
Interview with the Winner of the PTW Dosimetry Award 2010,
Dr. Gregory T. Betzel, Department of Radiation Oncology,
University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
“Exploring diamonds in the interests of clinical dosimetry”
Gregory T. Betzel, Ph.D. (Picture: G. Betzel)
In your paper, you investigate the
suitability of a CVD diamond detector
for use in clinical dosimetry. What made
you choose this topic for your research?
My previous interest in detector research
led me to explore projects that focused
upon new materials and designs for radiation
dosimetry. I found diamond to be a most
interesting material with which to detect X-rays,
and I knew previously of diamond detectors
used in particle physics research at CERN.
Dr. Stuart Lansley, an expert in diamond
research at the University of Canterbury,
offered an opportunity to work with him on this
topic along with my mentors Dr. Lou Reinisch
and Dr. Juergen Meyer.
What did you find most challenging
on this research project?
The biggest challenge was starting the project
from scratch. The project involved researching,
designing and testing a number of prototype
detectors that could then be evaluated in hospital.
It was gratifying to choose basic electronic
materials, perform material analyses on a variety
of diamond films, and finally complete a number
of irradiation studies utilizing a linear accelerator
in a radiation therapy department.
Congratulations on the PTW Dosimetry Award,
Mr Betzel! Were you surprised to receive it?
It was a delightful surprise and a great honor to be
notified by PTW that my research on the suitability of
CVD diamond detectors for use in clinical dosimetry
that was carried out at the University of Canterbury in
Christchurch, New Zealand, had been acknowledged
through the PTW prize.
How did you learn about the award and what
motivated you to apply for it?
My mentor Dr. Juergen Meyer was presenting at the
DGMP Congress in Freiburg, and encouraged me to
submit a paper reporting results from my PhD research
for the prize.
What are your future plans?
Are there any other clinical or scientific
projects that you would like to work on
in the future?
Following my PhD, I was able to continue my
diamond detector research at the University of
Canterbury. As I wished to continue my scientific
training in a clinical environment, I accepted a
postdoctoral research fellowship in the Department
of Radiation Oncology at the University
of Maryland School of Medicine, working on
problems related to arc therapy.
An American in New Zealand. What
brought you to the University of
Canterbury in Christchurch?
After completing my MSc degree at Northern
Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, I knew with
confidence that I wanted to pursue a doctorate
in Medical Physics. I researched numerous PhD
programs both in the United States and abroad
that interested me. I was very interested in
University of Canterburgy in Christchurch,
New Zealand, for several reasons; foremost
was an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge
medical physics research under the direction
of Dr. Lou Reinisch, Dr. Juergen Meyer and
Dr. Stuart Lansley.
PTW-Freiburg • Lörracher Strasse 7 • 79115 Freiburg • Germany
Phone: +49 761 49055-0 • FAX: +49 761 49055-70 • info@ptw.de • www.ptw.de 1

INTERVIEW
New Zealand has always had a reputation for its
world-class scientific enterprise, and is well known
for its creative and innovative approach to the sciences.
Together, an opportunity to work with outstanding talent
in the medical physics field and in a progressive science
community brought me to New Zealand. The beauty of
the South Island and all that it has to offer in both
recreation and outdoor activity made the experience all
the more rewarding and enjoyable.
What motivated you to take up Medical Physics?
I initially pursued my graduate studies in the field of
high-energy physics with a keen interest in accelerator
and detector physics research. While I was working
in collaboration with researchers at Fermi National
Accelerator Laboratory, I became fascinated with
a unique facility that was using neutrons to treat cancer.
The seed was planted - and I wanted to learn more.
After receiving my MSc from Northern Illinois University,
I began to investigate a number of medical physics
programs, and subsequently left for New Zealand to
study Medical Physics.
We would like to thank Mr. Betzel for the interview
and wish him lots of success in his further career.
Media Contact at PTW
Ute Wüstefeld
Marketing Manager
PTW-Freiburg
+49 (0) 761 49055-591
ute.wuestefeld@ptw.de
Personal
Dr. Gregory Betzel
is currently a Postdoctoral
Fellow in
the Department
of Radiation Onco-
logy at the University of Maryland
School of Medicine where he is
performing research on fourdimensional
treatment planning
and delivery of rotational radiation
therapy.
He obtained his PhD in 2010 at
the University of Canterbury in
Christchurch, New Zealand, where
he investigated the use of synthetic
diamonds as X-ray detectors for
clinical applications under the supervision
of Drs. Juergen Meyer and
Lou Reinisch. While completing
an M.Sc. in Physics from Northern
Illinois University (NIU), he gained
experience contributing to research
at Fermi National Accelerator
Laboratory and Argonne National
Laboratory.
He worked for nearly three years
in a professional engineering
research and manufacturing
environment following the
completion of his B.S. in
Industrial Engineering at NIU.
Contact:
Gregory T. Betzel, PhD,
Department of Radiation Oncology
University of Maryland School of
Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
+1 410-328-7074,
gbetzel@umm.edu
PTW-Freiburg • Lörracher Strasse 7 • 79115 Freiburg • Germany
Phone: +49 761 49055-0 • FAX: +49 761 49055-70 • info@ptw.de • www.ptw.de 2