IOMP SCHOOL WEBINARS 2025

7 March 2025 at 12 pm GMT; Duration 1 hour

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Update: 1 CPD/CME point is applied to this event. 

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Organizer: Loredana Marcu
Moderators: Loredana Marcu and Eva Bezak

Talk 1: Status of Women Medical Physicists in the US and the AAPM

Speaker: Jennifer Pursley, Mayo Clinic Department of Radiation Oncology

Dr. Pursley received her PhD in experimental particle physics from Johns Hopkins University working on the Collider Detector at Fermilab and spent three years as a postdoc on CDF before entering the Harvard Medical Physics Residency Program. After residency, she joined as faculty in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. At MGH, Dr. Pursley served as the physics lead of photon treatment planning and started the CT-guided online adaptive therapy program. Dr. Pursley is now a faculty physicist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She has been a member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Women’s Professional Subcommittee (WPSC) since 2014 and became Chair of the WPSC in 2023.

Abstract:

In this talk, I’ll give an overview of the history and growth of women medical physicists in the US, with statistics from AAPM, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. Although the number of women medical physicists continues increasing, their representation in various leadership positions is not keeping pace. The AAPM’s annual salary survey also shows evidence of a gender pay gap. I’ll discuss some possible contributing factors to these findings and suggestions for how current leaders can make a change. The Women’s Professional Subcommittee (WPSC) of the AAPM was formed in 2010 to support women’s career development and I will highlight the efforts of this group and their impact.

Talk 2: Empowering Women’s Leadership in Medical Physics: Challenges and Opportunities in Asia

Speaker: Chai Hong Yeong, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor’s University, Malaysia

Dr. Yeong is a Professor of Medical Physics at Taylor’s University. She is the current President of the Southeast Asia Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (SEAFOMP), Chair of the Medical Physics World Board (MPWB) of the IOMP, IOMP Accreditation Board Member, Committee Member of the Professional Relations Committee of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP), and a co-Founder of the ASEAN College of Medical Physics (ACOMP). She is also an IAEA expert for multiple IAEA Task Groups and regional activities. She was a member of the IOMP Women Sub-Committee from 2018-2021. She received the IUPAP Early Career Scientist Award in 2021, SEAFOMP Young Leader Award in 2017, and Taylor’s President Award in 2019. Her research areas focus on theranostic nuclear medicine, interventional radiology and radiation protection. She currently owns 4 patents and has published more than 100 journal articles, 2 academic books and 2 book chapters. She is the Editor of the e-Medical Physics World (eMPW) Bulletin and IOMP Newsletter. She also serves as a reviewer for several international renowned journals.

Abstract:

The representation of women in medical physics in Asia has grown significantly, yet challenges remain in achieving gender equity in leadership and research. This talk will explore the current status of women in the field across the region, highlighting both the progress made and the barriers still faced. Drawing on experiences from SEAFOMP, AFOMP, and international collaborations, I will discuss how regional organizations play a crucial role in empowering women through mentorship, networking, and professional development. Success stories of women leaders in medical physics will be shared, along with strategies to foster greater inclusion and representation in leadership positions. Finally, I will outline actionable pathways for supporting the next generation of women scientists and medical physicists in Asia, ensuring a more equitable and innovative future for the profession.

Talk 3: Leading with Purpose: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities as a Young-Career Medical Physicist in Europe

Speaker: Oleksandra Ivashchenko, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands

Dr. Oleksandra Ivashchenko is a medical physicist specializing in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. She earned her MSc in Applied Physics from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 2012, followed by a PhD in Applied Physics from TU Delft in 2017. Currently, she works at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, focusing on personalized dosimetry and radiation safety within nuclear medicine. Beyond her research, Dr. Ivashchenko is deeply involved in humanitarian efforts. In 2022, she co-founded the #ScienceForUkraine initiative, which supports Ukrainian scientists and students affected by the war. This volunteer-driven organization has provided assistance to over 1,000 individuals, including employment and academic transfers. Her contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the 2022 MCAA Social Impact Award and the 2024 IUPAP Early Career Scientist Award in Medical Physics.

Abstract:

Join me for a talk on the unique challenges and exciting opportunities of being an early-career female medical physicist in Europe. I’ll discuss how navigating leadership roles as an international professional requires resilience, adaptability, and balancing scientific excellence. We’ll explore how embracing leadership can drive innovation, foster inclusivity, and inspire future generations of physicists. I’ll also share how my humanitarian work, particularly co-founding the #ScienceForUkraine initiative, has shaped my career, emphasizing how giving back strengthens networks, builds leadership skills, and enriches our sense of purpose.