Spotlight | PhD Program in Medical Physics

Daniela Olivera Velarde

Graduate student in the laboratory of Bulent Aydogan

I am a student from Bolivia who joined the GPMP in 2020 after earning my bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in math. As an undergraduate, I did research in nuclear physics. As a first-year student in the medical physics program, I did research in therapy and imaging labs. Now I work on developing an implantable resonator to measure the oxygen levels in tumors to potentially aid in the treatment of cervical cancer. What I love the most about our medical physics program is how hard faculty work on improving the courses based on students’ suggestions.

Jennie Crosby

Graduate student in the laboratory of Maryellen Giger

I joined the program in 2016 after graduating in Dec. 2015 from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a nuclear engineering degree. As an undergrad I did brachytherapy research which led me to consider a future career in medical physics. Now my research involves the application of deep learning to chest radiographs for the detection of disease. My favorite aspect of our program is how much the faculty cares about the students and our success. I love Chicago’s beaches and all the world class museums.

Sam Hendley

Graduate student in the laboratory of Kenneth Bader

What drew me to the University of Chicago was the rigor of both its academics and research. I earned my B.Sc in Physics with a minor in math and music performance from the University of Florida, and having come from a condensed matter background, I had never worked specifically in a medical physics research setting before. Because the medical physics program here offers chances to rotate through different labs during one’s first year, I got to explore the different areas in medical physics and see which research questions interested me. Currently I work with biomedical acoustics and therapeutic ultrasound in the Bader lab, and am interested in the mechanical fractionation of tissue, especially as it relates to chronic deep vein thrombosis. Outside of the lab I play the cello and practice with some chamber groups around Hyde Park. I also volunteer with STEM Scouts, a program which helps girls and boys learn about science, technology, engineering and math through creative, hands-on activities, field trips and interaction with STEM professionals.