Awards and honors conferred by the PTCOG
Robert R. Wilson Award
The person after whom this award is named, Robert R. Wilson, was a renowned expert in the design and construction of cyclotrons and synchrotrons, and he served as a consultant on projects around the world. As early as 1945, when he was an associate professor of physics at Harvard University, he designed the 150-MeV cyclotron and suggested the radiological use of high-energy heavy particles for cancer therapy. In 1967, Wilson became the first director of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), where he helped design and build the entire complex, including a 500-GeV proton accelerator. Wilson made many discoveries regarding the inner structure of the proton, including the first excited state of the proton and its next two excited states, as well as electron scattering by protons. Of the approximately 250 experiments he conducted, the most notable were those concerning the interaction of neutrinos and muons at high energy and the discovery of the “b quark.”
The PTCOG Robert R. Wilson Award for Significant Contributions to the Field of Particle Therapy is awarded annually to an individual who is currently active in the field, in recognition of their cumulative achievements in Particle Therapy.
Presented during the annual PTCOG Conference, the award includes a keynote lecture delivered by the awardee. Recipients receive an engraved plaque and a certificate signed by the PTCOG Chair and Secretary and are permanently enshrined in the PTCOG roster of awardees.
Candidates from all countries and from any discipline related to Particle Therapy are eligible for consideration.
Awardees are also invited to submit a manuscript to the International Journal of Particle Therapy (IJPT) summarizing their keynote presentation or award lecture.
PTCOG Travel Fellowship
This is a grant that provides financial support intended to facilitate attendance of a PTCOG Conference for relative newcomers to the field of particle therapy. Application is via the PTCOG website.
PTCOG Abstract Awards
During each annual conference, PTCOG recognizes and awards the research of multiple abstract authors. There are 3 award opportunities connected to PTCOG 64 as follows:
- Michael Goitein Awards
The person after whom this award is named, Michael Goitein, was a visionary who is rightly considered an exceptionally innovative and creative medical physicist in radiation oncology. He played a critical role in developing proton radiation therapy, and many of his advances are still used in current proton and photon therapy. Notably, he cofounded the Proton Therapy Cooperative Oncology Group and served as its second president. The first 3D treatment planning system he developed for proton therapy for eye tumors is still used by most centers performing this therapy.
In memory of one of the true pioneers in Particle Therapy, 3 Michael Goitein awards will be presented within the PTCOG 64 Networking Reception for the ‘Best Abstract Award’. One award per discipline of Physics, Radiation Biology and Clinics will be selected from the peer review and additional review from the PTCOG Scientific Program Sub-Committee and Executive Committee. Awards will be presented to award winners in the form of a personalized engraved plaque. Winners also receive a free ticket to The PTCOG 64 Networking Reception, promotion on the PTCOG website and social media and a photo opportunity with the PTCOG President and or executive members.
- PTCOG Best Poster Awards
3 separate awards for the best poster in Physics, Radiation Biology and Clinics are selected by the PTCOG Scientific Program Sub-Committee during the annual conference. The presentation of the award is part of the PTCOG 64 Closing Ceremony. No application is necessary, and the winner receives a personalized certificate signed by PTCOG Executives, promotion on the PTCOG website and social media and a photo opportunity with the PTCOG President and or executive members.
- Young Investigator Award
One lucky young researcher will receive the PTCOG Young Investigator Award. The winning abstract will be selected from the peer review and additional review from the PTCOG Scientific Program Sub-Committee and Executive Committee. Presentation of the award is part of the PTCOG 64 Networking Reception.
Application for the PTCOG Young Investigator Award should be completed as part of the abstract submission and you will be prompted about this during abstract submission.
