James Robar

Education

• BSc (McGill)
• MSc (McGill)
• PhD (UBC)
• Residency in oncology medical physics (BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver Centre)

Research interests

Image guided radiation therapy
Novel x-ray beams produced by linear accelerators
3D printing applications in radiation therapy
Dose enhancement with gold nanoparticles
Novel imaging and radiomics for prediction of toxicity

Administrative roles

Founding Director, Masters, Doctoral and Certificate programs in Medical Physics, Dalhousie University
Chief, Department of Medical Physics, Nova Scotia Health 

Academic interests

Teaching MEDP6450 - Computational methods in oncology and imaging physics

Awards and honours

2021
Governor General’s Innovation Award
One of six recipients in Canada, recognizing “innovations that exemplify excellence and help
improve the quality of life in Canada and around the world.”

2020
Making Waves Innovator Award, Nova Scotia Health, recognizing and encouraging a 
researcher/research team who has developed a new process, product or technology that has potential 
to make a positive impact on patient health or the health care delivery system. 

2019
Medicine Excellence in Education Award, Dalhousie University

Recent publications

O. Semeniuk, A. Cherpak and J. L. Robar, Design and evaluation of 3D printable patient-specific applicators for gynecologic HDR brachytherapy, Med Phys, April 20, 2021.

J. Borsavage, A. Cherpak and J. L. Robar, Investigation of planar image quality for a novel 2.5 MV diamond target linac beam, Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol, 16, 103-108, October 2020.

P. Sadeghi, K. Moran, J.L. Robar, Capacitive monitoring system for real-time respiratory motion monitoring during radiation therapy, J App Clin Med Phys, 1-9, 21 May 2020.

M. Rooney, D. Rosenberg, S. Braunstein, A. Cunha, A. Damato, E. Ehler, T. Pawlicki, J. L. Robar, K. Tatebe, D. Golden, Three-dimensional printing in radiation oncology: a systematic review of the literature, J App Clin Med Phys, May 27, 2020.

N. Lynch, T. Monajemi, J. L. Robar, Characterization of novel 3D printed plastic scintillation dosimeters, Biomed Phys Eng Express, 6(5), 2020.

O. Semeniuk, P. Sadeghi, J. Farah, K. Moran, J. L. Robar, Performance optimization of Capacitive Motion Sensing (CMS) system for intra-fraction motion detection during stereotactic radiosurgery, Biomed Phys Eng Express, 6(1), 19 December, 2019.

J. Lincoln, D. Parsons, S.E. Clarke, S. Cwajna, J. L. Robar, Technical note: evaluation of kV CBCT enhancement using a liver-specific contrast agent for stereotactic body radiation therapy image guidance, Med Phys, 46(3), 1175-1181, 2019.

P. Sadeghi, J. Lincoln, E. Ruiz, J. L. Robar, A novel intra-fraction motion monitoring system for stereotactic radiosurgery: proof of concept, Phys Med Biol, 63(16), 2018.

J.L. Robar, K. Moran, J. Allan, J. Clancey, T. Joseph, K. Chytyk-Praznik, R.L. Macdonald, J. Lincoln, P. Sadeghi, R. Rutledge, Intra-patient study comparing 3D printed bolus versus standard vinyl gel sheet bolus for postmastectomy chest wall radiation therapy, Pract Radiat Oncol, 8(4), 221-229, 2018. 

Patents

J. L. Robar and Shiqin Su, System and Method for Manufacturing Bolus for Radiotherapy Using a Three-Dimensional Printer, EU 14866277.8 3062880, granted June 16, 2021.

J. L. Robar and Shiqin Su, System and Method for Manufacturing Bolus for Radiotherapy Using a Three-Dimensional Printer, Canadian 2,931,847, granted May 11, 2021.

J. L. Robar, D. Orbovic, C. Majcher, Patient-specific immobilization structure and system and method for fabrication thereof, US provisional patent filed February, 2021.

C. Majcher, B. Basaric and J. L. Robar, Systems and methods for hot spot reduction during design and manufacture of radiation therapy bolus, US Patent application 16/832,577, issued 23 November, 2021.

C. Majcher, B. Basaric and J. L. Robar, Systems and methods for design and fabrication of surface brachytherapy applicators, US Patent application 62/875,775, filed July 19, 2019.

P. Sadeghi, J. L. Robar, Apparatus and method for gating delivery of radiation based on capacitive monitoring of respiratory motion, PCT PCT/CA2019/051762, Filed Dec 6, 2019, published June 26, 2020, licensed exclusively to Brainlab AG, 2019.

J. L. Robar, Systems and methods for monitoring patient motion via capacitive position sensing, W02017063084A1 (PCT), April 20, 2017, US201562242808P (US), EP3361978A4 (EU), licensed exclusively to Brainlab AG, 2019.

R. L. Macdonald, C. Thomas and J. L. Robar, Method and system for cancer treatment with radiation, US10441813B2 (US), filed January 26, 2015, granted October 15, 2019, EP316938B1 (EU), filed July 16, 2015, granted March 25, 2020, licensed to Brainlab AG.

J. L. Robar and S. Su, System and Method for Manufacturing Bolus for Radiotherapy Using a Three-Dimensional Printer, United States 10,350,435, granted July 16, 2019.

J. L. Robar and S. Su, System and Method for Manufacturing Bolus for Radiotherapy Using a Three-Dimensional Printer, Australia 2014357315, granted May 17, 2018.

Other interests and achievements

• Program reviewer, Graduate Program Education Program Review Committee, CAMPEP
• Board Member, The Discovery Centre
• Co-founder and CSO, Adaptiiv
• Founding Senior Associate Editor, Advances in Radiation Oncology
• Novalis Certification reviewer and clinical auditor
• Reviewer, Medical Physics, Physics in Medicine and Biology, International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
• Band member, The Stochastics, lap-slide guitar
• Captain, SV NorthWind