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Introduction:
The Awards and Honors Committee (AHC) of the Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP) is responsible for evaluating and selecting the recipients of various AFOMP awards that recognize the achievements and contributions of medical physicists in the region. The committee has continued diligently evaluating nominations received for various AFOMP awards in 2023. Recognizing the immense workload and stringent timelines associated with the evaluation process, the AHC has maintained collaborative efforts with other pivotal AFOMP committees. Notably, the AFOMP Science Committee has been instrumental in evaluating nominations for the AFOMP Best Journal Award, while the Professional Relations Committee (PRC) has been actively involved in the assessment of travel awards. This strategic collaboration has ensured the comprehensive and timely evaluation of nominations, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the award selection process.
AHC Committee Members:
Prof. Hasin Anupama Azhari (Bangladesh); Chair
Prof. Anchali Krisanachinda, Thailand (Female)
Prof. Hui-Yu Tsai, Taiwan (Female)
Dr. Shobha Jayaprakash, India (Female)
Dr. Nursakinah Suardi (Female)
Prof. Seungryong Cho, Korea (Male)
Prof. Nobuyuki Kanematsu, Japan (Male)
Dr. Mohammad Amin Mosleh-Shirazi, Iran (Male)
The following activities have been accomplished since the last report
1. Prof Kiyonari Inamura Memorial AFOMP Oration:
The 2023 Prof. Kiyonari Inamura Memorial AFOMP Oration received two noteworthy nominations—one from Iran and the other from the Republic of the Philippines. The committee, after careful consideration, selected Prof. Agnette de Perio Peralta as the distinguished orator for 2023. Prof. Peralta, Assistant Secretary of Health, Department of Health (DOH), Republic of The Philippines, possesses a remarkable academic background, holding an MS in Medical Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Hospital Administration from St. Bernadette of Lourdes College in Quezon City. Her extensive service to AFOMP and the global medical physics community made her a fitting recipient of this prestigious oration
2. Lifetime achievement award:
The AFOMP Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition of significant contributions to the medical physics profession and research, received three commendable nominations from China, Iran, and Indonesia. The deserving recipient of this distinguished honor is Prof. Dr. Dai Jianrong Dai from the Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing. Prof. Dai’s substantial contributions in China and the AFOMP region, coupled with his past role as the president of CSMP, exemplify a lifetime dedicated to advancing medical physics.
3. AFOMP Journal Prize for the Best Paper published in an AFOMP Journal
In the realm of academic excellence, the AFOMP Journal Prize for the Best Paper published in an AFOMP Journal witnessed a substantial increase in nominations—from 8 in 2022 to 12 in 2023. Dr. Akihiro Nohtomi from Japan emerged victorious for his paper titled “First optical observation of 10B‑neutron capture reactions using a boron added liquid scintillator for quality assurance in boron neutron capture therapy.” The Science Committee of AFOMP played a pivotal role in evaluating the submissions, emphasizing the commitment to promoting groundbreaking research within the medical physics community.
4. PN Krishnamurthy Memorial AFOMP Young achiever award
Eight commendable nominations were received for the PN Krishnamurthy Memorial AFOMP Young Achiever Award, reflecting the growing talent pool within the AFOMP region. Dr. Lukmanda Evan Lubis from Indonesia emerged as the distinguished winner, underscoring the promising trajectory of young professionals in the field.
5. The C.V. Saraswathi – A.N. Parameswaran Memorial AFOMP Best PhD
Recognizing outstanding contributions in the realm of doctoral research, the C.V. Saraswathi – A.N. Parameswaran Memorial AFOMP Best PhD Award received three nominations from India and Japan. Dr. Tomohiro Kajikawa from Japan was honored for his comprehensive research covering AI-based treatment planning, deformable image registration, CT ventilation, AI-based patient-specific QA. Dr. Dilson Lobo from India received an honorary mention for his thesis on “Skin Dose Estimates in Postmastectomy Chest Wall Radiotherapy.”
6. Professor Sung Sil Chu AFOMP Best Student’s Publication Award
The AFOMP continued to encourage and recognize the scholarly achievements of students with the Professor Sung Sil Chu AFOMP Best Student’s Publication Award. Ten valid nominations were received from India, Iran, and Japan. The award was bestowed upon Dr. Abolfazl Kanani from Iran for his paper titled “Metal artifact reduction in cervix brachytherapy with titanium applicators using dual-energy CT through virtual monoenergetic images and an iterative algorithm: A phantom study,” contributing valuable insights to the field.
7. Dr Udupi Madhvanath Memorial AFOMP Best PhD Award in Radiobiology
Radiobiology, a critical aspect of medical physics, was celebrated through the Dr. Udupi Madhvanath Memorial AFOMP Best PhD Award. Four commendable nominations were received, with Dr. Raizulnasuha Binti Ab Rashid from Malaysia earning the accolade for her thesis titled “Radiobiological modelling of gold nanoparticles radio sensitization effects in conventional and advanced radiotherapy techniques.” This award underscores the importance of advancing understanding in radiobiology for the improvement of medical treatments.
8. Golam Abu Zakaria AFOMP Best Young Leadership Award
The committee received an impressive 13 nominations for the prestigious “Golam Abu Zakaria AFOMP Best Young Leadership Award.” This accolade, designed to recognize and celebrate young medical physicists demonstrating exceptional leadership skills in the development of the medical physics profession within the AFOMP region, saw Dr. Noramaliza Mohd Noor from Malaysia and Dr. Md Akhtaruzzaman from Bangladesh being honoured. Their exemplary leadership in advancing the field reflects the bright future of medical physics in the AFOMP region.
9. Full AOCMP2022 travel awards
The AFOMP Professional Relations Committee oversaw the evaluation of the Full AOCMP2022 Travel Awards, receiving nine applications. Seven deserving individuals were awarded $300 each for their travel endeavors. The recipients Akbar Azzi (Indonesia), Alamgir Hossain (Bangladesh), Ji Shang (China), Md Jobairul Islam (Bangladesh), Nuttawut Yeenang (Thailand), Raizulnasuha Ab Rashid (Malaysia), and Ram Narayan Yadav (Nepal) represent the diverse and dynamic nature of the AFOMP community.
Acknowledgments and Conclusion
In concluding this comprehensive report, heartfelt congratulations are extended to all awardees for their exemplary work and significant contributions to the field of medical physics. Additionally, sincere gratitude is expressed to the members of the AHC and other collaborating committees for their tireless efforts in evaluating nominations with precision and diligence. The commitment of these professionals has undoubtedly elevated the standards and recognition of excellence within the AFOMP community.
Prof. Hasin Anupama Azhari
Chair, A&H committee, AFOMP