Cancer Research Wales

Dr Emiliano Spezi is the chief Research and Development physicist at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. He leads the Medical Physics R&D activities within the Cancer Centre. He studied Physics at the University of Bologna (Italy) before completing his PhD in Cardiff. Cancer Research Wales is proud to have sponsored Dr Spezi’s doctorate studies which focussed on developing new methods for radiotherapy.

Dr Spezi is also an HPC registered clinical scientist and has expertise in clinical radiotherapy physics where he is involved in treatment planning. Dr Spezi is author of over 30 scientific publications and his research has attracted the support of several bodies including Government and Industry. He is involved in a number of international collaborations and sits on several advisory panels that seek to review and implement universal and standard operational procedures for radiotherapy practice. His current research interests include: Image Guided Radiotherapy, Functional Imaging, In-vivo Dose Verification, and Radiotherapy Planning for Molecular Targeted Therapy.

We took this opportunity to ask Emiliano a few questions and help us find out more about himself and what visions he has for the future.

1. At what age did you decide you wanted to become a scientist and what made you decide on Physics as a career?

When I was about 10 years old, I followed the launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia. This was an extremely fascinating event for me and I still remember it very clearly in my mind. Some time later I asked my parents for an encyclopaedia on astronomy and I got interested in the origin of stars and other celestial bodies in the sky. So I guess my road was signed.

2. What made you decide to come to Wales to study?

I met the person who would become my future PhD project supervisor in Ottawa (Canada). It was October 1997 and we were both on the same course on the BEAM Monte Carlo code. At that time I was in the middle of my medical physics training and I was interested in developing my academic profile, possibly through a study experience abroad. About twelve months later I was offered the possibility of coming to Wales to work on a very interesting PhD research project. So I loaded my Renault Clio, I drove 2000 miles to join Geraint Lewis and Cyril Smith in Velindre … and here I am fifteen years later.

3. Who has had the most influence on you growing up and on your career?

The research experience that led to my PhD qualification represents a milestone in my professional development, so the person who influenced me most on my scientific career has been, without a doubt, my PhD project supervisor Prof. Geraint Lewis.

4. If you were not a scientist what else would you like to have been?

After high school I was equally interested in Physics and Philosophy, two subjects that I believe are intrinsically connected. So I guess if I was not a scientist I would still be looking for a job.

5. What is the most significant attribute you have seen introduced to the field of radiotherapy since you began your career?

This has to be the Multi-leaf collimator (MLC). The MLC is at the core of every modern linear accelerator as it shapes the external beam to conform the radiation dose delivered to the tumour with unprecedented precision, while sparing organs at risk. It is the device without which modern technologies such as Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Image guided Radiotherapy would simply not exist.

6. How do you see radiotherapy developing over the next 10 years and what factors would you like to see introduced?

I believe that individualisation, monitoring and continuous adaptation will play a growing and significant role in the radiotherapy treatments of the future. In the years to come we will hear more about functional imaging and dose guided adaptive radiotherapy, delivered with external beams or through the systemic administration of radionuclides attached to molecular targets.

7. How do you relax away from work?

These days we are immersed in the cloud, so it is not easy to stay away from work even when you are not in the office. I love to spend my spare time with my wife and my beautiful three kids and if I really want to relax I choose a spot with no WiFi or 3G coverage. If you are like me try the Brecon Beacons, it works beautifully.

8. Living or dead who is the person you would like most to meet?

This is a tough one. I will leave profession and scientific interests aside as the list would simply be too long. I like classical music and there are many composers that I would really like to meet. However, since I was born in Pesaro (Italy) it would be interesting to meet countryman Gioacchino Rossini and talk about his famous operas as well as the town that we lived in at different times. And I would not even need to bring with me a translator.

FINAL QUICK FIRE

Italian or Chinese Food

Italian

Inter or A.C. Milan

A.C. Milan forever

Rome or Paris

The eternal city

Wine or Brains Bitter

Wine

Ferrari or Mercedes

Forza Ferrari!

Tom Jones or Dino Crocetti (aka Dean Martin)

Tom Jones of course.

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Cancer Imaging, Cancer Research Wales, cancer scientists, Dr Emiliano Spezi, Radiotherapy