In this page we are going to share the story of Dane Lynch’s journey in the world of medical physics.
Dane completed a double BSc degree in Physics and Mechanical Engineering at UWA. Then started a Masters in Medical Physics in 2019.
Dane’s research project was on “Use of FET PET Uptake Dynamics for Spatial Characterisation of Glioblastoma” supervised by Adj/Prof. Martin Ebert, and Dr. Pejman Rowshanfarzad.
After completing his Masters (end of 2020), Dane started working as a Scientific Officer at the Department of Radiation Oncology in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.
Around mid 2021, Dane was accepted as a TEAP ROMP Registrar at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne and started his clinical training.
Here is what Dane’s principal supervisor, Adj/Prof. Martin Ebert, had to say about his performance:
"Dane has clearly fallen into a career that is perfect for him. Dane is extremely passionate about using his physics skills to help improve the quality of life of patients. His Masters project involved extracting new levels of information from brain cancer imaging that might help identify areas of disease that require additional attention during treatment, or where in the brain the cancer is most aggressive. Dane undertook this work on data from a small pilot study, though the technique will now be applied to data from a national trial involving hundreds of participants.
Dane was given the rare opportunity of pursuing a PhD with the support of a full scholarship, but ultimately decided that, for now, clinical physics is where his principal interests lie. I am certain Dane will successfully complete the training required to become certified and will go on to make lifelong contributions to the wellbeing of others via his career in medical physics."
And here are comments from Dane’s masters coordinator, lecturer, and co-supervisor, Dr. Pejman Rowshanfarzad: “It was a pleasure to have Dane in our team. His understanding of the postgraduate units were outstanding. Dane showed interest in radiation oncology medical physics and deeply learned about the challenging topics in this field.
In addition to his wonderful scientific abilities, Dane is a nice, considerate gentleman who is liked by everyone, not only in our group at UWA but also by his colleagues at SCGH. Everyone was sad to see him leaving WA and he is still sorely missed.”
Dane kindly accepted to answer a few questions about his experience in the UWA Medical Physics Research Group.
Introduction and your current position and role:
Hi my name is Dane, I graduated from a Master of Medical Physics at UWA in 2020 and am currently working as a Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Registrar at the Sunshine Peter Mac radiation therapy centre in Melbourne completing my training, education and assessment program.
Physics was always a subject I enjoyed for being able to learn about the world in its most fundamental form, however after my undergraduate in Engineering and Physics at UWA I was a bit lost as to how to make a meaningful career out of my skills and knowledge. This was until one day in 2018 I stumbled across a talk given by Pejman about studying a Master of Medical Physics at UWA; where the combination of interesting yet meaningful job prospects spoken in his calming voice allured me in. Fast forward almost 4 years and I’ve learnt more than I could have possibly imagined and am working at an amazing facility thanks to that moment.
What did you enjoy most about UWA, and Medical Physics research group?
Honestly I enjoyed the times I spent working on assessments with friends over coffee at the many beautiful libraries and cafes at UWA, there is just something about sharing a similar struggle with friends trying to decipher assignment questions together.
The Medical Physics research group is an invaluable part of this medical physics experience, I enjoyed both the mentorship and community that it provides. The right comments made by your peers at the Wednesday meetings can save you hours of research time! Fostering an environment like this group is so important to not only teach students important skills but nurture and inspire ideas that may improve the future of the field.
Can you give us your top three reasons to study Medical Physics?
Medical Physics is the rare balance of applying the cool yet difficult-to-solve physics principles to directly helping others;
It's the most sci-fi field you can work in that isn't being an astronaut. I mean it includes destroying cancer with radiation from linear accelerators (in an extremely safe manner of course);
Studying Medical Physics at UWA was the best university experience I had. The program was so well put together combining career-relevant theory with practical content, in smaller classes that made for a very special experience.
How do you feel you have made a difference in your field of research?
Given my thesis field of dynamic PET imaging analysis, I don't feel I've made a significant difference so much as it's made a significant difference to me! It taught me a tremendous amount of research and science communication skills. While the application of my research isn't something quite ready to be used in clinic, I could definitely see myself coming back to the field with a new practical (and slightly wiser) perspective earned from my TEAP training.
What is your best advice to current students and Medical Physics applicants?
Safest bet is to firstly take Pejman's advice, there's a reason why Medical Physics graduates from UWA are among the most successful in the field.
If I must add something it would be more social and know it is okay to not know everything! So much of what will give you an edge is not just what is in Podgorsak but questions asked to those who are working in the field and conversations had among your peers.
Here is Dane’s recorded final research project presentation.
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