ECR News | First Heavy Ions in Asia Webinar
Date: May 28/2026 Time: 11:00 AM CET / 6:00 PM JST / KST
The webinar marks the first Heavy Ions in Asia webinar run by PTCOG-ECR, an outreach initiative aimed at strengthening scientific dialogue across the rapidly expanding particle therapy landscape in Asia. With an increasing number of carbon-ion centers and research collaborations emerging across the region, this webinar provides a platform for knowledge exchange between clinical, biological, and physics communities. The session will feature Min Cheol Han, Clinical Assistant Professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine. And Takahiro Oike, Professor at Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center.
Dr. Han obtained his PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Medical Physics from Hanyang University in 2017. His research career includes international experience as a visiting scientist at CERN and as a postdoctoral research fellow at Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare. His work focuses on Monte Carlo simulations and particle therapy physics, contributing to improvements in treatment planning accuracy and dose calculation in advanced radiation modalities. Dr. Han has published numerous scientific articles, holds several patents, and has received multiple research awards, including the Korean Association for Radiation Protection ISORD Award. He also contributes to the international scientific community through involvement with JKMP, PTCOG-AO, and ICRP Task Group 103.
Prof. Oike is a board-certified radiation oncologist and translational researcher specializing in biological optimization of radiotherapy, including genomics-based radiosensitivity prediction and LET-guided treatment planning. After earning his MD and PhD from Gunma University, he conducted research at the National Cancer Center Japan Research Institute and the National Cancer Institute. His research integrates genomics, metabolomics, and DNA damage response mechanisms to better understand tumor radiosensitivity and improve treatment outcomes in particle therapy. In addition to his scientific work, Prof. Oike has long served as faculty in the International Training Course on Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy (ITCCIR), where he has received multiple teaching honors. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the PTCOG Biology Subcommittee and is a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Particle Therapy.
By bringing together expertise from imaging science, clinical oncology, environmental health, in particle therapy physics, the sessions offer valuable perspectives for early career researchers working across the field. As particle therapy continues to evolve and expand internationally, initiatives such as these webinars play an essential role in fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and inspiring the next generation of researchers and clinicians.
