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The AFOMP Meet the Expert series provides an opportunity to celebrate the journeys and contributions of distinguished medical physicists from the Asia-Oceania region. The series aims to bring forward the experiences of pioneers and leaders whose dedication has contributed to the growth of medical physics, while creating a valuable historical record for future generations.
As part of this series, Dr. W. Howell Round was interviewed by Dr. Rajni Verma. Dr. Round is a distinguished medical physicist, academic, researcher and professional leader whose career has made significant contributions to medical physics, particularly in the areas of education and training, continuing professional development, professional standards, career progression and international collaboration.
Dr. Round’s professional journey reflects the evolution of medical physics over several decades. His academic background includes physics and medical physics, followed by doctoral research in electrical and electronic engineering. His career has combined clinical medical physics, academic teaching, research and extensive professional service. His work has covered areas ranging from radiation physics and medical imaging to education, training and workforce development.
One of the defining features of Dr. Round’s career has been his commitment to developing the medical physics profession itself. His involvement with professional organizations has extended across national, regional and international levels. Within AFOMP, he served as Secretary General from 2012 to 2018 and was actively involved in professional development, education and training, finance, scientific and other committees. His contribution to the Federation has been particularly important in strengthening professional structures and promoting collaboration across the Asia-Oceania region.
His international contribution has also included active involvement with the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) and the International Union for Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine (IUPESM). His professional activities have focused strongly on education, professional relations and the development of systems that support medical physicists throughout their careers.
A major theme of Dr. Round’s professional work has been education, training and continuing professional development. He has contributed extensively to discussions and initiatives concerning the education and training of clinical medical physicists, certification and licensing, and mechanisms for maintaining professional competence. His publications include work on continuing professional development systems, education and training frameworks and the international comparison of professional pathways.
His work has also contributed directly to the development of AFOMP policies, including recommendations related to clinical medical physicist staffing, professional roles and responsibilities, continuing professional development and career progression. His work on career progression has been particularly influential in highlighting the importance of providing medical physicists with structured opportunities for professional growth.
Dr. Round has also been deeply involved in workforce development and professional recognition. His research and surveys have examined the medical physics and biomedical engineering workforce in Australasia, while his broader professional activities have addressed how appropriate training, certification and staffing can contribute to safe and effective clinical practice.
Another important aspect of his career is his contribution to teaching and lifelong learning. His academic work has included innovative approaches to education and e-learning, while his professional activities have promoted continuing education for practicing medical physicists. His contributions demonstrate the importance of adapting education and professional development to the changing needs of the healthcare environment.
Dr. Round’s research interests have been diverse. His scientific work has included radiation dosimetry, medical imaging, radiotherapy-related research, Monte Carlo modelling and other areas of medical physics. At the same time, he has pursued research into professional issues such as workforce development, education and gender balance within the profession. His publications and presentations demonstrate a career that has consistently combined scientific inquiry with a broader concern for the development of medical physics as a profession.
His contributions have received recognition at both national and international levels. Among these is the IOMP International Day of Medical Physics Award in 2017, presented for his contributions to the profession. AFOMP records him among the distinguished medical physicists from the region who have received the IDMP Award for their multidimensional contributions to medical physics.
Beyond titles, awards and professional positions, Dr. Round’s journey reflects the importance of service to the profession. His career demonstrates how medical physicists can contribute not only through clinical practice and research but also through education, mentoring, professional organizations, policy development and international cooperation.
The interview with Dr. Round provides an opportunity to reflect on the development of medical physics and the importance of building strong professional foundations for the future. His experience highlights the value of continuous learning, professional engagement and collaboration across countries and organizations.
For early-career medical physicists, his journey offers an encouraging message: a career in medical physics can take many directions, and meaningful contributions can be made through research, clinical practice, teaching, leadership and professional service. The development of the profession is a collective effort, and the experiences of senior physicists provide valuable guidance for those who are shaping its next chapter.
The AFOMP Meet the Expert interview with Dr. W. Howell Round, conducted by Dr. Rajni Verma, is therefore not simply a conversation about one individual’s career. It is a reflection on the growth of medical physics, the importance of professional development and the responsibility of today’s medical physicists to build a stronger and more sustainable profession for future generations.
Prepared by Dr. Rajni Verma
AFOMP Meet the Expert Interview Series