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Physics

Dr. Mark Foley

B,Sc, Hons.

Contact Details


Physics
Rm 140
School of Physics
National University of Ireland Galway

T: 091 495383
E: mark.foley@nuigalway.ie
 
researcher

Biography

Funded Postdoctoral (click here) and PhD positions available for 2016 - please contact Dr Mark Foley. 

·         2015-present   Academic Director, MSc in Medical Physics 
·         2009-present   Director, BSc Physics with Medical Physics   
·         2008-2010       Vice-Dean, Strategy and Communications, College of Science
·         2007-present   Lecturer, School of Physics
·         2005-present   University Radiological Protection Officer (RPO)
·         2005-2007       Fixed-term lecturer, School of Physics
·         2004-present   FFR lecturer, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
·         2002-2014   Lecturer, “School Leavers” Access programme & Mature Students Access programme, NUI Galway

Radiation Safety

The EPA Office of Radiological Protection is the competent authority in relation to the protection of workers and members of the public from the harmful effects of exposure to ionising radiation.  This function was formerly the responsibility of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. By law, all practices which use radioactive sources and/or irradiating apparatus (such as an X-ray unit) must hold a valid licence from the EPA, unless they have been exempted. Further information on licensing can be found by following this link.

If you require advice on radiation safety please contact me directly or refer to the radiation safety webpage: Click here

Research Interests


***** Funded Postdoctoral (click here) and PhD positions available for 2016 - please contact Dr Mark Foley. *****

Click here for research details and selected publications Research interests include medical imaging and radiation physics. Current research includes a project which aims to improve radiotherapy treatment using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and a project which involves the development of novel medical imaging systems. Interested in and advise on ionizing radiation safety.

Teaching Interests

  • First year biomedical physics.
  • Third year Radiation & Medical Physics.
  • Third year Biomedical physics.
  • Medical imaging for MSc in Biomedical Science.
  • Various lectures for MSc in Medical Physics.
  • Annual Radiation Safety Course.

Other Interests

University Radiological Protection Officer.
Vice Dean for Strategy & Communications, College of Science (2008 - 2010)
Director of BSc in Physics with Medical Physics
Co-ordinator of MSc in Medical Physics.
Special interest in clinically related projects.
Academic member of the Programme Development Group responsible for the creation of an online B.Sc. in Science and Technology.

 


 

 








Research Interests

Funded Postdoctoral (click here) and PhD positions available for 2016 - please contact Dr Mark Foley.



Research interests include medical imaging and radiation physics. Currently research includes a project which ultimately aims to improve radiotherapy treatment using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Worked on the development of novel medical imaging systems in the past (i.e. project to develop a digital radiographic system for mammography). Interested in and advice on ionizing and non-ionizing radiation safety.

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
Opti-SDS - Investigation into Radon Mitigation Techniques 29-FEB-16 28-FEB-19
RADIATION SAFETY TRAINING A/C - MARK FOLEY 08-JUL-08 31-DEC-20
INVESTIGATION EXTERNAL BEAM RADIOTHERAPY M FOLEY 31-DEC-06 19-JUN-09

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2016) 'Determining the dosimetric effect of an ultrasound probe for use in image-guided radiotherapy'
Michael Martyn , Jeffrey Bamber , Emma Harris , Tuathan O' Shea , Mark Foley (2016) 'Determining the dosimetric effect of an ultrasound probe for use in image-guided radiotherapy'. Physica Medica: European Journal Of Medical Physics, 32 (2) [Details]
(2016) 'Functional imaging for regenerative medicine'
Leahy M, Thompson K;Zafar H;Alexandrov S;Foley M;O'Flatharta C;Dockery P (2016) 'Functional imaging for regenerative medicine'. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 7 (1) [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Inter-comparison of radon detectors for one to four week measurement periods'
Gunning GA, Murray M;Long SC;Foley MJ;Finch EC (2016) 'Inter-comparison of radon detectors for one to four week measurement periods'. Journal Of Radiological Protection, 36 (1):104-116 [DOI] [Details]
(2016) 'Inter-comparison of radon detectors for one to four week measurement periods'
Gunning, GA,Murray, M,Long, SC,Foley, MJ,Finch, EC (2016) 'Inter-comparison of radon detectors for one to four week measurement periods'. Journal Of Radiological Protection, 36 :104-116 [DOI] [Details]
(2014) 'Clinical evaluation of inter-fractional organ motion using 3D ultrasound image-guided radiotherapy for positioning prostate cancer patients'
Michael Martyn , Christoph Kleefeld , Margaret Moore , Mark Foley (2014) 'Clinical evaluation of inter-fractional organ motion using 3D ultrasound image-guided radiotherapy for positioning prostate cancer patients'. Physica Medica, European Journal Of Medical Physics, 30 (6) [Details]
(2014) 'Monte Carlo investigation of collapsed versus rotated IMRT plan verification'
Conneely, E,Alexander, A,Ruo, R,Chung, E,Seuntjens, J,Foley, MJ (2014) 'Monte Carlo investigation of collapsed versus rotated IMRT plan verification'. Journal Of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 15 :133-147 [Details]
(2013) 'A TCP model for external beam treatment of intermediate-risk prostate cancer'
Walsh et al (2013) 'A TCP model for external beam treatment of intermediate-risk prostate cancer'. Medical Physics, [Details]
(2013) 'An investigation into the use of MMCTP to tune accelerator source parameters and testing its clinical application'
Conneely E, Alexander A, Stroian G, Seuntjens J, Foley MJ (2013) 'An investigation into the use of MMCTP to tune accelerator source parameters and testing its clinical application'. Medical Physics, 14 (2) [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2013) 'An investigation into the use of MMCTP to tune accelerator source parameters and testing its clinical application'
Conneely, E,Alexander, A,Stroian, G,Seuntjens, J,Foley, MJ (2013) 'An investigation into the use of MMCTP to tune accelerator source parameters and testing its clinical application'. Journal Of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 14 :3-14 [Details]
(2013) 'Design and performance of a small-animal imaging system using synthetic collimation'
Havelin, RJ,Miller, BW,Barrett, HH,Furenlid, LR,Murphy, JM,Dwyer, RM,Foley, MJ (2013) 'Design and performance of a small-animal imaging system using synthetic collimation'. Physics In Medicine And Biology, 58 :3397-3412 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Clinical application of the new dosimetry formalism for composite nonstandard beams'
Chung, E,Conneely, E,Ruo, R,Foley, M,Seuntjens, J (2012) 'Clinical application of the new dosimetry formalism for composite nonstandard beams'. Medical Physics, [Details]
(2012) 'Clinical Implication of the New Dosimetry Formalism in IMRT Quality Assurance'
Chung, E,Conneely, E,Ruo, R,Foley, M,Seuntjens, J (2012) 'Clinical Implication of the New Dosimetry Formalism in IMRT Quality Assurance'. Medical Physics, [Details]
(2012) 'Patient dosimetry and a novel approach to establishing Diagnostic Reference Levels in dental radiology'
Walker, C,van der Putten, W (2012) 'Patient dosimetry and a novel approach to establishing Diagnostic Reference Levels in dental radiology'. Physica Medica-European Journal Of Medical Physics, 28 :7-12 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Accounting for the fringe magnetic field from the bending magnet in a Monte Carlo accelerator treatment head simulation'
O'Shea, TP,Foley, MJ,Faddegon, BA (2011) 'Accounting for the fringe magnetic field from the bending magnet in a Monte Carlo accelerator treatment head simulation'. Medical Physics, 38 :3260-3269 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2011) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) mediated delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) supports radionuclide imaging and treatment of breast cancer'
Ryan J, Havelin RJ, Morris JC, Miller BW, Liu Z, Foley MJ, Barrett HH, Murphy M, Barry FP, O'Brien T and Kerin MJ (2011) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) mediated delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) supports radionuclide imaging and treatment of breast cancer'. Stem Cells, 29 (7):1149-1157 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Characterization of an extendable multi-leaf collimator for clinical electron beams'
O'Shea, TP,Ge, YY,Foley, MJ,Faddegon, BA (2011) 'Characterization of an extendable multi-leaf collimator for clinical electron beams'. Physics In Medicine And Biology, 56 :7621-7638 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2011) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter Supports Radionuclide Imaging and Treatment of Breast Cancer'
Dwyer, RM,Ryan, J,Havelin, RJ,Morris, JC,Miller, BW,Liu, ZL,Flavin, R,O'Flatharta, C,Foley, MJ,Barrett, HH,Murphy, JM,Barry, FP,O'Brien, T,Kerin, MJ (2011) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter Supports Radionuclide Imaging and Treatment of Breast Cancer'. Stem Cells, 29 (7):1149-1157 [DOI] [Details]
(2011) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) Supports Radionuclide Imaging and Treatment of Breast Cancer'
Dwyer RM, Ryan J, Havelin RJ, Morris JC, Miller BW, Liu Z, Flavin R, O'Flatharta C, Foley MJ, Barrett HH, Murphy JM, Barry FP, O'Brien T, Kerin MJ. (2011) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) Supports Radionuclide Imaging and Treatment of Breast Cancer'. Stem Cells, 29 :1149-57 [Details]
(2010) 'Monte Carlo commissioning of clinical electron beams using large field measurements'
O'Shea, TP,Sawkey, DL,Foley, MJ,Faddegon, BA (2010) 'Monte Carlo commissioning of clinical electron beams using large field measurements'. Physics In Medicine And Biology, 55 :4083-4105 [DOI] [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2009) 'Improved simulation of small electron fields for external beam radiation therapy'
O'Shea,T. P., Sawkey,D.L., Foley,M.J., Faddegon,B.A. (2009) 'Improved simulation of small electron fields for external beam radiation therapy'. 25 (1) [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2009) 'Sodium iodide symporter (NIS) mediated tracking of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) migration to breast tumours in vivo'
Dwyer R et al. (2009) 'Sodium iodide symporter (NIS) mediated tracking of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) migration to breast tumours in vivo'. Human Gene Therapy, 20 (11) [Details]
(2009) 'Monte Carlo modelling of the Siemens virtual wedge'
Foley, M., Downes, P., Shearer,A., Moore,M., Van der Putten,W. (2009) 'Monte Carlo modelling of the Siemens virtual wedge'. [Details]
(2009) 'Improved Monte Carlo simulation of small electron fields'
O'Shea,T., Faddegon,B., Sawkey,D., Foley,M. (2009) 'Improved Monte Carlo simulation of small electron fields'. Medical Physics, 36 (6) [Details]
(2009) 'McGill Monte Carlo Treatment Planning (MMCTP) Research Platform for Dose Comparison Studies'
Conneely,E., Alexer,A., Seuntjens,J., Foley,M.J. (2009) 'McGill Monte Carlo Treatment Planning (MMCTP) Research Platform for Dose Comparison Studies'. [Details]
(2008) 'Electron Beam Therapy at extended SSD: a Monte Carlo investigation'
O'Shea,T., Foley,M.J.,Rajasekar,D.,Downes,P.A., Van der Putten., Moore,M., Shearer,A. (2008) 'Electron Beam Therapy at extended SSD: a Monte Carlo investigation'. J Appl Clin Med Physics, 9 (4):57-67 [Details]
(2008) 'Electron beam therapy at extended source-to-surface distance: a Monte Carlo investigation'
O'Shea, TP,Foley, MJ,Rajasekar, D,Downes, PA,van der Putten, W,Moore, M,Shearer, A (2008) 'Electron beam therapy at extended source-to-surface distance: a Monte Carlo investigation'. Journal Of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 9 :57-67 [Details]
(2008) 'Electron beam therapy at extended SSD: a Monte Carlo investigation of output fom a Siemens Oncor linear accelerator'
O'Shea, T., Foley,M.J., Rajasekar,D., Downes,P.A.,Van der Putten,W., Moore,M., Shearer,A. (2008) 'Electron beam therapy at extended SSD: a Monte Carlo investigation of output fom a Siemens Oncor linear accelerator'. Journal Of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 9 (4) [ARAN Link] [Details]
(2004) 'Small Area CCD Based Imaging System for use in Digital Mammography'
Foley, M. J.,Walton,P.W.,Van der Putten,W..,Workman,A. (2004) 'Small Area CCD Based Imaging System for use in Digital Mammography'. [Details]
(2003) 'Development of an image receptor for use in digital mammography'
Foley, M. J., Walton,P.W., Van der Putten,W. (2003) 'Development of an image receptor for use in digital mammography'. 4876 [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2016) Monte Carlo investigation of the dosimetric effect of the Autoscan (TM) ultrasound probe for guidance in radiotherapy
Martyn, M,O'Shea, T,Harris, E,Bamber, J,Gilroy, S,Foley, MJ,Duric, N,Heyde, B (2016) MEDICAL IMAGING 2016: ULTRASONIC IMAGING AND TOMOGRAPHY Monte Carlo investigation of the dosimetric effect of the Autoscan (TM) ultrasound probe for guidance in radiotherapy [DOI] [Details]
(2013) A SPECT imager with synthetic collimation
Havelin, RJ,Miller, BW,Barrett, HH,Furenlid, LR,Murphy, JM,Foley, MJ,Barber, HB,Roehrig, H (2013) MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION DETECTORS III A SPECT imager with synthetic collimation [DOI] [Details]
(2013) 40th European Radiation Research Conference
M Martyn, C Kleefeld, D Fontanarosa, F Verhaegen, M Moore, M J Foley (2013) 3D Ultrasound In Image Guided Radiation Therapy 40th European Radiation Research Conference [Details]
(2013) The role of ultrasound imaging in radiotherapy workshop. Maastricht, Netherlands
S. Walsh, M. J. Foley, and W. van der Putten (2013) Role of prostate US imaging in biological modelling The role of ultrasound imaging in radiotherapy workshop. Maastricht, Netherlands [Details]
(2013) European Radiation Research Conference
Foley M J, Stephanie Long, David Doyle, Daniel Cannon (2013) Correlation between short-term and long-term radon measurements: a pilot study of a high radon residential area in Salthill European Radiation Research Conference [Details]
(2013) IOP Spring Weekend
Havelin R J, Miller B W, Barrett H H, Furenlid L R, Murphy J M and Foley M J (2013) Development of a SPECT imager with synthetic collimation IOP Spring Weekend [Details]
(2013) SPIE Optics & Photonics
RJ Havelin, BW Miller, HH Barrett, LR Furenlid, JM Murphy, MJ Foley (2013) A SPECT imager with synthetic collimation SPIE Optics & Photonics [Details]
(2013) Proceedings of the 40th European Radiation Research Conference
Foley M J, Jasper Chaal, Jianhua Yan, Sze Yiun Teo, David Townsend (2013) Initial clinical experience with a breast PET system for molecular imaging Proceedings of the 40th European Radiation Research Conference [Details]
(2012) 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of Canadian Organization Medical Physicists (COMP)
Eunah Chung, Elaine Conneely, Russell Ruo, Mark Foley and Jan Seuntjens (2012) Clinical application of the new dosimetry formalism for composite nonstandard beams 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of Canadian Organization Medical Physicists (COMP) [Details]
(2012) Proceedings of the World congress on Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, China
G. Sands, M. Galicic, W. van der Putten and E. Fallon (2012) MammoSite Brachytherapy; A safety approach to Quality Assurance using IDEFØ diagrams Proceedings of the World congress on Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering, Beijing, China [Details]
(2012) Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF)
M Foley, J Goggins, R Monaghan, K Morrissey, H Rau, D Taylor (2012) Energy that works Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) [Details]
(2011) Proceedings of the European Medical Physics & Engineering Conference
M Foley, E Conneely, A Alexander, J Seuntjens (2011) IMRT QA analysis using Monte Carlo methods Proceedings of the European Medical Physics & Engineering Conference [Details]
(2011) Proceedings of the European Medical Physics & Engineering Conference
Tuathan O'Shea, Mark Foley, Bruce Faddegon (2011) An extendable multi-leaf collimator for electron beam therapy Proceedings of the European Medical Physics & Engineering Conference [Details]
(2011) European Medical Physics & Engineering Conference
M J Foley, R Havelin, Brian W. Miller, H. H. Barrett (2011) Development of a novel synthetic collimator small animal SPECT imaging system European Medical Physics & Engineering Conference [Details]
(2010) European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)
Conneely, E, Alexander, A, Ruo, R, Seuntjens, J, Foley, M (2010) Monte Carlo Investigation of Collapsed versus Rotated IMRT plan verification European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) [Details]
(2009) American Association of Physicists in Medicine
T O'Shea, B Faddegon, D Sawkey, M Foley (2009) Improved Monte Carlo Simulation of Small Electron Fields American Association of Physicists in Medicine [Details]
(2009) European Workshop on Monte Carlo Treatment Planning
Foley M, P Downes, A Shearer, M Moore and W van der Putten (2009) Monte Carlo modelling of the Siemens virtual wedge European Workshop on Monte Carlo Treatment Planning [Details]
(2009) World congress on Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering
O'Shea T. P., D. L. Sawkey, M. J. Foley, B. A. Faddegon, (2009) Improved simulation of small electron fields for external beam radiation therapy World congress on Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering [Details]
(2005) MCNP and EGS4 User Group meeting, 11th MCNEG, Birmingham, U.K
Foley M. J., P A Downes, A Shearer, W van der Putten, M Moore (2005) WebCom-G: Stress Testing a Grid Infrastructure using Monte Carlo Simulations MCNP and EGS4 User Group meeting, 11th MCNEG, Birmingham, U.K [Details]
(2004) 7th International Workshop on Digital Mammography, Durham, NC, USA
Foley, M. J., P. W. Walton, W. van der Putten, A. Workman (2004) Small Area CCD Based Imaging System for use in Digital Mammography 7th International Workshop on Digital Mammography, Durham, NC, USA [Details]
(2003) Proc SPIE: OPTICS AND PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGIES AND APP
FOLEY, MJ et al. (2003) Development of an image receptor for use in digital mammography Proc SPIE: OPTICS AND PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGIES AND APP , pp.54-61 [Details]
(2001) Physica Medica; European Journal of Medical Physics
Foley, M. J., Walton,P.W., (2001) Selenium/Liquid Crystal Image Receptor for use in Digital Mammography Physica Medica; European Journal of Medical Physics [Details]

Abstract

  Year Publication
(2011) Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) mediated delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) supports radionuclide imaging and treatment of breast cancer. American Association for Cancer Research, Orlando, Florida.
Dwyer RM, Ryan J, Havelin RJ, Morris JC, O'Flatharta C, Miller BW, Liu Z, Foley MJ, Barrett HH, Murphy M, Barry FP, O'Brien T and Kerin MJ (2011) Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) mediated delivery of the Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) supports radionuclide imaging and treatment of breast cancer. American Association for Cancer Research, Orlando, Florida. Abstract [Details]

Thesis

  Year Publication
(2013) Development of a high-resolution gamma-ray imaging system with synthetic collimation.
R Havelin (2013) Development of a high-resolution gamma-ray imaging system with synthetic collimation. Thesis [Details]
(2012) Monte Carlo Simulation of Medical Accelerator Electron Treatment Heads.
T O'Shea (2012) Monte Carlo Simulation of Medical Accelerator Electron Treatment Heads. Thesis [Details]
(2011) Radiobiological modelling in Radiation Oncology.
S Walsh (2011) Radiobiological modelling in Radiation Oncology. Thesis [Details]
(2011) A Monte Carlo Investigation in External Beam Radiotherapy.
E Conneely (2011) A Monte Carlo Investigation in External Beam Radiotherapy. Thesis [Details]

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) Member /
IRRS Nominee to the EPA Office of Radiological Protection Advisory Committee IRRS nominee 11-JAN-16 / 11-JAN-17
European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) Member /
Galway Science & Technology Festival Committee Committee Member 20-JAN-08 / 30-NOV-16
Society of Radiological Protection (SRP) International Member /
Institute of Physicists and Engineers in Medicine (IPEM) Member /
Irish Radiation Research Society (IRRS) Member /

Teaching Interests

  • First year biomedical physics.
  • Third year Radiation & Medical Physics.
  • Third year Biomedical physics.
  • Medical imaging for MSc in Biomedical Science.
  • Various lectures for MSc in Medical Physics.
  • Annual Radiation Safety Course.


Recent Postgraduate Students

  Graduation Name Degree Primary Supervisor
2012 Tuathan O Shea PhD Y
2013 Ronan Havelin PhD Y
2012 Sean Walsh PhD
2012 Elaine Conneely PhD Y

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Gordon Sands Doctorate - Ph.D.(Science) Supervisor
Margaret Toohey Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Co-supervisor (1)
Ana Vaniqui De Santana Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Co-supervisor (1)
Michael Martyn Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor