Dr. Nathan Murtha
Positions
Medical Physicist
Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Medical Physicist
Faculty of Science, Radiation Oncology Physics
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Oncology
Member
Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute
Contact information
Preferred method of communication
For future partnerships or graduate supervision inquiries, please email me at nathan.murtha@cancercarealberta.ca.
Background
Credentials
MCCPM, Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine, 2024,
Educational Background
Post-Doctoral Diploma Radiation Oncology Physics, University of Calgary, 2023,
PhD Physics (Specialization in Medical Physics), Carleton University, 2021,
MSc Medical Physics, Dalhousie University, 2017,
BSc (Dual Hons) Physics and Mathematics, Saint Mary's University, 2015,
Biography
I received my BSc from Saint Mary's University in 2015, where I was fortunate to work with experimental particle physics groups at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in the USA and the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany. Seeking more immediate applications, I transitioned to medical physics and completed an MSc at Dalhousie University in 2017. My research at that time focused on determining if quantitative measures of image quality could be used as a predictor of the recovery accuracy of model parameters in quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using compressed sensing. In 2021, I completed a PhD at Carleton University, focusing on the applications of Compton gamma imaging to radiological security. Specifically, I developed tomographic spatial unfolding methods to estimate the distribution and quantity of radioactive materials over large areas using a limited number of viewpoints.
Research
Areas of Research
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
- Craniospinal irradiation (CSI)
- Quality assurance
- Surface guided radiotherapy
- Environmental radioactivity
- Radiological security
My research focuses on the clinical application and optimization of Surface-Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) for high-precision treatment setup and real-time motion monitoring. I specialize in validating SGRT workflows for complex anatomical sites, with particular expertise in Cranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI). By investigating the intersection of surface guidance and intra-fraction motion management, I aim to enhance treatment accuracy and patient safety in advanced radiotherapy delivery.
Beyond SGRT, I explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the radiation oncology pipeline. This work includes the validation and implementation of deep learning models for MR-to-CT synthesis, aimed at streamlining MR-only planning workflows and improving dose calculation accuracy. My broader research interests involve evaluating the radiobiological effects and clinical outcomes of SRS and CSI to further refine evidence-based treatment protocols.
Publications
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