The transition from academia to medical physicist
Then inventor and entrepreneur
I first arrived in Australia exactly 30 years ago today (3/9/1988) and my professional life has been busy, exciting and eventful! Of course, it also has its ups-and-downs. As we grow older and our memories fade faster, I feel it is worthwhile reviewing my past to share my experiences with others, hopefully to help younger generations in planning their life journeys. For this purpose, here is my journey in four snapshots taken every ten years.
1988
As an academic researcher at Monash University Melbourne and holding a scholarship from the World Bank, I worked on a research project to experimentally study the spectrum distribution of copper-vapor laser light generated by a novel and patented device that had scary, high voltage sparks and fast-flowing gas at room temperature… The title of my research was long and confusing! But thankfully with the advice of Dr. R. Tobin and help from many others, I completed the project quickly and smoothly, and luckily enough, the results were published in the following year in the Journal ofApplied Physics Letters, a top-rated scientific journal of the American Institute of Physics!
Melbourne, Australia 1988
1998
As a medical physicist with 4 years’ experience, I joined the then ADAC Laboratories Inc. (HQ: San Jose, California), now Philips Medical Systems to support the clinical adoption and application of the Pinnacle3radiotherapy treatment planning system, a top and complex computing package for treating cancers with radiation beams, which was widely used in the Asia-Pacific region from Japan, China to New Zealand. My days were fast paced and packed with phone calls, emails and meetings. I felt my time spent on travel in the air was more than I was on the ground, excitingly enough?! Time zones changed frequently, hence it confused my sleeping pattern. I attended so many conferences and met so many people, I completely exhausted myself… Luckily enough, I travelled in business class most times and I made many friends globally!
The Peace Park (at atomic-bomb ground-zero), Hiroshima, Japan 1998
2008
Calibrating newly commissioned Clinac-iX R accelerator, Hobart, Australia 2008
Working as Deputy Chief Physicist in beautiful Tasmania, my professional skills excelled and were recognised by peers and colleagues globally. After completing a training in Las Vegas, USA, I commissioned a new linear accelerator with novel functions, 4D (time-resolved) CT system, introduced the ever-in-demand IMRT with sophisticated quality assurance measures (such that it is now a standard treatment technique worldwide), to the local practice and benefited many Tasmanian cancer patients!
Extract from Royal Hobart Hospital Newsletter
Calibrating newly commissioned Clinac-iX R accelerator, Hobart, Australia 2008
