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Physics

Dr. Mark Foley

B,Sc, Hons.

Contact Details


Physics
PHY 144
School of Physics
National University of Ireland Galway

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

Biography

For Postdoctoral and PhD positions - please contact Dr Mark Foley. 

·         2015-present   Academic Director, MSc in Medical Physics 
·         2009-2016   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

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

Postdoctoral and PhD positions available - please contact Dr Mark Foley.



Research interests include medical imaging and radiation physics. Current research includes a project which ultimately aims to improve radiotherapy treatment using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Development of novel imaging systems. Interested in and advice on ionizing radiation safety. For more details click here.

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
Opti-SDS - Investigation into Radon Mitigation Techniques 29-FEB-16 28-FEB-19
Investigation into radon mitigation techniques - Mark Foley 29-FEB-16 07-JUN-19
INTERNATIONAL EMBASSY SCHOLARSHIP ACCT MOHAMMAD ALI A. ALASWAD, MAJED ATIAH ALLAH ALHARBI 19-OCT-15 18-OCT-20
INVESTIGATION EXTERNAL BEAM RADIOTHERAPY M FOLEY 31-DEC-06 19-JUN-09

Contract Researchers

  Researcher Name Project Role Funding Body
Le Chi Hung OptiSDS Postdoctoral Researcher Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2017) 'A Monte Carlo study of the effect of an ultrasound transducer on surface dose during intrafraction motion imaging for external beam radiation therapy'
Martyn, M,O'Shea, TP,Harris, E,Bamber, J,Gilroy, S,Foley, MJ (2017) 'A Monte Carlo study of the effect of an ultrasound transducer on surface dose during intrafraction motion imaging for external beam radiation therapy'. Medical Physics, 44 :5020-5033 [DOI] [Details]
(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 :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 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) '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]
(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]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2017) Physica Medica: European Journal of Medical Physics
M Alharbi, M Martyn, P Woulfe, L Chen, S O’Keeffe, M Foley (2017) Optical fibre dosimeters and their applications in radiotherapy: A Monte Carlo Study Physica Medica: European Journal of Medical Physics [Details]
(2017) ROOMS 2017
Marta Fuente, Eduardo Muñoz, Borja Frutos, Mark Foley (2017) Behaviour study of air flow through gravels based on laboratory experimentation and contrast with FEM models ROOMS 2017 [Details]
(2017) ROOMS 2017
Le Chi Hung, Jamie Goggins, Marta Fuente and Mark Foley (2017) An investigation of the optimum specification for soil depressurisation systems (active and passive) that take account for Irish building practices ROOMS 2017 [Details]
(2016) SPIE Medical Imaging
Michael Martyn, Tuathan O'Shea, Emma Harris, Jeffrey C Bamber, Stephen Gilroy, Mark J Foley (2016) Erratum: Monte Carlo investigation of the dosimetric effect of the Autoscan ultrasound probe for guidance in radiotherapy SPIE Medical Imaging [Details]
(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) 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) 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]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2016) ROOMS 2016,
Chi Hung Le, J Goggins, M Foley (2016) OPTI-SDS: An investigation of the optimum specification for soil depressurization systems (active and passive) that take account of Irish Building Practices. [Invited Oral Presentation], ROOMS 2016, Concarneau, France , 06-OCT-16 - 07-OCT-16. [Details]
(2016) Radon 2016,
G Gunning, S Long, M Foley, E Finch (2016) Radon remediation in Irish schools: a 10 - 17 year follow up survey. [Oral Presentation], Radon 2016, Prague, Czech Republic , 12-SEP-16 - 16-SEP-16. [Details]
(2015) International Workshop on Ultrasound Guidance in Radiotherapy,
M Martyn, T O’Shea, E Harris, J Bamber, M Foley, (2015) Monte Carlo modelling of the effect of ultrasound transducer on radiotherapy. [Oral Presentation], International Workshop on Ultrasound Guidance in Radiotherapy, London, UK , 25-JUN-15 - 26-JUN-15. [Details]
(2015) Frontiers of Physics 2015,
M Foley (2015) Biomedical Physics - accelerating the fight against cancer. [Invited Oral Presentation], Frontiers of Physics 2015, IoP Frontiers of Physics , 19-SEP-15 - 19-SEP-15. [Details]
(2015) ‘Pint of Science’ international Festival,
M Foley (2015) Fighting Cancer with Physics. [Invited Oral Presentation], ‘Pint of Science’ international Festival, Oslo, Galway , 18-MAY-15 - 18-MAY-15. [Details]
(2014) ESTRO:Radiotherapy & Oncology, vol. 111, no. 1, April 2014,
M Martyn, M Moore, C Kleefeld, M J Foley, (2014) Evaluation of inter-fractional prostate motion using 3D ultrasound image-guided radiotherapy. [Published Abstract], ESTRO:Radiotherapy & Oncology, vol. 111, no. 1, April 2014, Vienna, Austria , 04-APR-14 - 06-APR-14. [Details]
(2014) Inspiring Science from Ireland's Silicon Valley,
M Foley (2014) The Physics of Cancer. [Invited Oral Presentation], Inspiring Science from Ireland's Silicon Valley, 52nd ISTA conference , 11-APR-14 - 12-APR-14. [Details]
IOP Spring Weekend,
Havelin R J, Miller B W, Barrett H H, Furenlid L R, Murphy J M and Foley M J Development of a SPECT imager with synthetic collimation. [Oral Presentation], IOP Spring Weekend, IOP Ireland . [Details]
(2013) The role of ultrasound imaging in radiotherapy workshop,
S. Walsh, M. J. Foley, and W. van der Putten (2013) Role of prostate US imaging in biological modelling. [Oral Presentation], The role of ultrasound imaging in radiotherapy workshop, Maastricht, Netherlands , 08-FEB-13 - 08-FEB-13. [Details]
(2013) Proc. European Workshop “Biology of ionizing radiation”, INIS,
S Walsh, E Conneely, M Foley, M Moore, W Van der Putten (2013) Is margin reduction in prostate cancer possible? a radiological modelling study. [Oral Presentation], Proc. European Workshop “Biology of ionizing radiation”, INIS, Berder Island, France , 22-SEP-13 - 25-SEP-13. [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
(2017) Ultrasound Imaging in Radiotherapy and Dosimetric Quantification with Monte Carlo Techniques.
M Martyn (2017) Ultrasound Imaging in Radiotherapy and Dosimetric Quantification with Monte Carlo Techniques. Thesis [Details]
(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
2018 Michael Martyn PhD Y
2013 Ronan Havelin PhD Y
2012 Tuathan O Shea PhD Y
2012 Sean Walsh PhD
2012 Elaine Conneely PhD Y

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Majed Alharbi Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor
Marta Fuente Lastra Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor
Mohammed Alaswad Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor
Michael Martyn Doctorate - Structured PhD (Science) Supervisor