Flash radiotherapy platforms for radiobiological experiments
With a foundation in physics and radiation biology, Stavros’s academic journey has been dedicated to mastering the complex interactions between various forms of radiation and their applications across the breadth of imaging techniques. Stavros’s expertise extends to the design and execution of primary and metastatic mouse-tumor models, instrumental in advancing early disease detection and therapeutic innovation. He is highly skilled in the nuanced field of in vivo contrast-enhanced molecular imaging, utilizing an array of imaging modalities, and in assisting image-guided radiation therapies. His early research was pivotal in creating contrast agents for molecular imaging probes, specifically targeting markers in endothelial cells of primary and metastatic tumors. In the recent phase of his career, he has turned his attention to ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) irradiation technology for preclinical therapy. Through comprehensive research and experimentation, he has been at the forefront of configuring linear accelerators for optimal FLASH radiation delivery, a technique that promises to revolutionize cancer treatment by minimizing harm to healthy tissue while effectively targeting tumor cells. His investigative work has not only illuminated the underlying radiobiological principles of the FLASH effect but has also been pivotal in developing and fine-tuning specific in vivo irradiation strategies. This includes the meticulous engineering of mouse shields and collimators for anatomy-specific radiation delivery and the design and fabrication of dosimetric phantoms and protocols that ensure precise and reliable dosimetry.

Currently, Stavros serves as the Deputy Director of the Pre-clinical Radiotherapy core of the Radiation Oncology department, where he leads a team of Physics Assistants focused on developing dosimetric consensus across pre-clinical orthovoltage and MeV irradiation platforms.
Date: 25 November 2024, 14:30
Venue: Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington OX3 7DQ
Venue Details: Room 71, Ground Floor
Speaker: Dr Stavros Melemenidis (Stanford University)
Organising department: Department of Oncology
Organiser: Yuliia Karpenko
Organiser contact email address: adminsupport@oncology.ox.ac.uk
Host: Monica Olcina, Group Leader (University of Oxford)
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Yuliia Karpenko