Profile – Medical Physics Zone

Education:

Edinburgh University 2004-2008, Glasgow University 2008-2010
Qualifications:

BSc (Hons) in Physics, MSc in Clinical Physics and DipIPEM from the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
Work History:

Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford (2011-2013), Edinburgh Cancer Centre (2008-2011), Previous part-time jobs: Edinburgh Festival, Prague Fringe Festival, RockNess festival, Royal Highland Show, various bars, cafes and art galleries
Current Job:

Radiotherapy Physicist

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I work in Radiotherapy, which uses very high energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Each patient is different so every one has their treatment individually planned so they can have the best outcome possible. Radiotherapy Physics is a small relatively unknown field, as we’re in the background most of the time, but we’re the ones who keep the place running really! It’s an extremely rewarding and interesting area to work in.
My Typical Day:

I work with Doctors and Radiographers to plan the best possible radiotherapy treatments for each individual patient coming though the cancer centre (that’s over 4000 a year!)
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As a medical physicist in Radiotherapy, we are involved in every aspect of the patient treatment, from making sure the machines are delivering the right amount of radiation, to planning which energy to use, to analysing the clinical results, and developing new techniques. It’s a very dynamic environment and no two days are the same!
What I'd do with the prize money:

Raise awareness of Medical Physics as a career in schools and emphasise that girls can do physics too!

Leila Nichol