Developing Next-Generation Radiotherapy Delivery and Expertise at the UI
Project Lead: John Buatti
Funding Approved: Fiscal Year 23
Project Status: In Progress
Funded amount: $3M over three years
The Midwest FLASH Lab is paving the way for the University of Iowa to redefine cancer treatment by exploring ultra-high dose-rate radiation therapy, known as FLASH. This innovative approach, delivering radiation in milliseconds instead of minutes, offers a promising avenue to preserve healthy tissues while effectively combating cancer cells.
The project's primary goal is to establish the UI as a leading institution for FLASH science and training in the U.S. The project aims to leverage significant existing UI resources and grow the funded NIH research portfolio substantially, in addition to attracting talented faculty and student researchers and scholars.
Activities to date:
- Established the Summer Cancer Undergraduate Research Program (SCURP) for underrepresented minority students
- Began vault preparations for the RadiaBeam FLEX-9, identified needs, and adjusted accordingly
Next Steps:
In the second year of the Midwest FLASH Lab project, the team is set to bring in another cohort of students for the second edition of the Summer Cancer Undergraduate Research Program (SCURP). They are also gearing up to install the RadiaBeam FLEX-9 in March, which will allow the team to begin offering irradiation services the following month. In summer 2024, the team plans to host a comprehensive four-day FLASH course to educate both internal and external faculty.