Alasdair Syme

Education

• BSc (McMaster University) - Honours Medical and Health Physics
• PhD (University of Alberta) - Physics (Medical Physcis specialization)

Research Interests

Novel radiation detectors

This research is focused on the design, fabrication and evaluation of radiation detection and dosimetry systems.  Areas of interest include organic electronic devices and scintillation detectors (organic and inorganic).

4-Pi radiotherapy

Developer Mode on the Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator platform is being used to explore trajectory-based radiotherapy in which the couch, gantry and collimator of the system can be dynamically moved to affect highly compact, conformal dose distributions.

Transarterial radioembolization

Radiopaque microspheres provide a method for the visualization of the deposition of Y-90 labeled glass for the treatment of cancer in the liver. Visibility on x-ray-based imaging modalities such as a CT scan opens up an entirely new way of evaluating the treatment. Our group is developing the methods required to facilitate CT-based dosimetry for Y-90 therapy.

Machine learning in radiotherapy

We are exploring applications of machine learning to challenges in radiation oncology that include:  contour classification, treatment planning and collision prediction and avoidance.

Recent publications

• Northway C, Lincoln JD, Little B, Syme A, Thomas CG. (2022). Patient-Specific Collision Zones for 4π Trajectory Optimized Radiation Therapy. Med Phys (early release online).
• Hupman MA, Hill IG, and Syme A. (2022). Measuring small field profiles and output factors with a stemless plastic scintillator array. Med Phys. 49: 624-631.
• Henry EC, Strugari M, Mawko G, Brewer K, Liu D, Gordon AC, Bryan JN, Maitz C, Abraham R, Kappadath SC and Syme A. (2022 – in press). Precision Dosimetry in Yttrium-90 Radioembolization through CT Imaging of Radiopaque Microspheres in a Rabbit Liver Model. Eur J Nucl Med Mol I.
• Reis QMC, Little B, MacDonald RL, Syme A, Thomas CG, and Robar JL. (2021). SBRT of ventricular tachycardia using 4pi optimized trajectories. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 22: 72-86.
• Henry EC, Strugari M, Mawko G, Brewer KD, Abraham R, Kappadath SC, and Syme A. (2021). Post-administration dosimetry in yttrium-90 radioembolization through micro-CT imaging of radiopaque microspheres in a porcine renal model. Phys Med Biol. 66: 095011
• Valitova I, Hupman A, Hill IG, and Syme A. (2021). Poly (3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) based diodes for ionizing radiation dosimetry applications. Org Electron, 88, 105981.
• Oliver PA, Yewondwossen M, Summers C, Shaw C, Cwajna S, and Syme A. (2021). Influence of intra-and interfraction motion on planning target volume margin in liver stereotactic body radiation therapy using breath hold. Adv Radiat Oncol, 6: 100610.
• Church C, Parsons D, Syme A. (2021). Investigating the Impacts of Intrafraction Motion on Dosimetric Outcomes When Treating Small Targets With Virtual Cones. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 22: 60-71.
• Hupman MA, Monajemi T, Valitova I, Hill IG, and Syme, A. (2020). Fabrication and characterization of a stemless plastic scintillation detector. Med Phys, 47: 5882-5889.
• Hupman MA, Valitova I, Hill IG, and Syme A. (2020). Radiation induced photocurrent in the active volume of P3HT/PCBM BHJ photodiodes. Org Electron, 85: 105890.
• Hupman MA, Valitova I, Hill IG, and Syme A. (2020). Method for the differentiation of radiation-induced photocurrent from total measured current in P3HT/PCBM BHJ photodiodes. MethodsX, 7, 101125.
• MacDonald RL, Syme A, Little B, Ward L, and Thomas CG (2020). Toward the combined optimization of dynamic axes (CODA) for stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery using fixed couch trajectories. Med phys, 47: 307-316.

Other interests and achievements

• Director, Halifax Radiation Oncology Physics Residency Program - CAMPEP accredited