Annual Bulletin 2019: Medical Physics and Radiation Science Group

ANNUAL
BULLETIN

2019

MEDICAL PHYSICS AND
RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP

Vol. 001 PREPARED BY: Brand Manager DATE: 31 Dec 2019
Medical Physics Team

MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE BULETIN // Vol. 001 - Dec 2019

CONTENT

01. Introduction to Medical Physics Programme Page
02. Biophysics Laboratory Housekeeping 1
03. Sharing Session with Alumni 3
04. Clinical Visits 4
05. Medical Physics Exhibition 6
06. M.Sc Medical Physics Practical at AMDI 8
07. New Student Orientation 9
08. Medical Physics Team Establishment 12
09. M.Sc Radiation Science Practical at AMDI 13
14
10. Medical Physics Interaction Day
15
11. Science Demonstrations 16
17
12. Radiation Awareness Day

ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

Introduction to Medical Physics Programme

Medical Physics is one of the established programmes at School of Physics,
Universiti Sains Malaysia. We are one of the leading universities in Malaysia
leading education role in Medical Physics since 1995. Programme offered include
B.Sc in Medical Physics, M.Sc in Medical Physics (coursework), M.Sc in Radiation
Science (mixed mode) and PhD in Medical Physics and Radiation Science. Medical
Physics is a branch of applied physics that focuses on nuclear medicine,
radiotherapy, and diagnostic radiology modalities.

Administrative and Laboratory Staff

Prof. Dr. Azlan Abdul Aziz Dr. Nursakinah Suardi Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azhar Abdul
Dean School of Physics Programme Chairman Rahman

Medical Physics  Research Leader

Dr. Siti Khadijah Mohd Mr. Mohd Rizal Mohamad Mr. Hazhar Hassan
Bakhori  Rodin  Assisstant Science Officer
Medical Physics Laboratory
Research Officer Medical Physics Assisstant Science Officer
Laboratory Biophysics Laboratory  01

ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

Introduction to Medical Physics Program

List of Medical Physics Lecturers

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azhar Abdul Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iskandar
Rahman Shahrim Mustafa
[email protected] [email protected]

Dr. Naser Mahmoud Ahmed Dr. Ramzun Maizan Ramli
[email protected] [email protected]

Dr. Norlaili Ahmad Kabir Dr. Nurul Zahirah Noor Azman
[email protected] [email protected]
Dr. Nik Noor Ashikin Nik Ab Dr. Nursakinah Suardi
Razak [email protected]
[email protected] Dr. Yasmin Md Radzi
Dr. Nurul Hashikin Ab. Aziz [email protected]
[email protected]
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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

20 Feb 2019

Biophysics Laboratory Housekeeping

On 20th February 2019, laboratory housekeeping was executed at USM’s Biophysics
laboratory. Participants of this activity was composed of all enthusiastic medical
physics lecturers and other staff members. Through this housekeeping, all the
apparatus was sorted and labelled accordingly. Some old worn out labels were
replaced. Other than cleaning, bonding between the participants has been deepened
with sharing of thought and experiences along the activity. The housekeeping ended
with a rewarding new look of laboratory. Thank you to all the lecturers, staff and
students involved in the housekeeping.

Lecturer, staff "We should have
and students special rack for
helping out to all the
organize all the antique instrume
items available at ntations available
the laboratory. in our laboratory."

Together Listening to
we make the history of
radiation
it work! sources f rom
Dato' Prof
Ahmad Shukri.

Note: This housekeeping will be carried out annually. Feel free to contact Mr. Rizal
and Mr. Hazhar for any details or participation.

03

22 Mar 2019 ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

Sharing session with Alumni

22nd March 2019, career sharing session was held
at School of Physics’ conference room. Four
speakers of medical physics alumni were invited.
The speakers were:

1. Mrs Hafizah
 (Radiology Department, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah)
2. Mr Nurhanis MohdHuzail
(Abex Medical Systems Sdn. Bhd.)
3. Mr Muhammad Farid Umor Parok
(Keysights Technologies)
4. Ms Mahfuzah Muhammad
(Radiotherapy Department, Gleneagles Penang
Hospital)

Speakers shared their experiences, ways, and tips to achieve their current
positions. Besides sharing on their hardship, speakers shared their respective roles
and responsibilities of their current held-on positions. From this sharing session,
students’ inspiration and perspective were widened to pursue their future career
path. As an appreciation, thank you to the speakers for willingly to spare their
precious time.
Note: This session may be held annually. Interested personal please contact Dr.
Nursakinah Suardi for any update.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

Mrs. Hafizah  Ms. Nurhanis
(Hospital Huzail
Sultanah
Bahiyah) (Abex Medical
Systems Sdn.

Bhd)

Mr. Ms. Mahfuzah
Muhammad (Gleneagles
Penang
Farid Hospital)
(Keysights
Technologies)

Prof. Dato' Ahmad Shukri
gave a token of appreciation
to the speaker.

Dr. Nursakinah and Assoc.
Prof. Dr. Azhar with the
speakers.

05

ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

8-9 April 2019

Clinical Visits

9th to 10th April 2019, medical physics students were given an opportunity to visit
National Cancer Institute,  Malaysia Nuclear Agency, and Grand Ten Holding Sdn
Bhd. The main objective of the trip was to provide some insight of their prospective
job field at related departments (radiology, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine) and
experience industrial usage of radiation.
National Cancer Institute
During the visit, students visited 3 departments which are radiology, radiotherapy,
and nuclear medicine. At radiology department, diagnostic services and modalities
(CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, and angiography) were shown to students. Next,
students were directed to radiotherapy department. Radiotherapy is a treatment
that used high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. Students
were demonstrated on the detail procedure and knowledge of radiotherapy. At
nuclear medicine department, students were explained on how the modalities used
to determine the spread of cancer to bones or organs before the patient undergoes
cancer treatment.

06

ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

Malaysia Nuclear Agency

At Malaysia Nuclear Agency, students visited SSDL and Medical Physics Laboratory.
They were introduced with different type of dosimeter and calibration procedures
done at this agency. Students also had a chance to visit  SINAGAMA Irradiation
Plant that  uses ionizing energy in the form of gamma radiation from Cobalt-60
source. 

Grand Ten Holdings Sdn. Bhd.

Grand Ten Holdings Sdn. Bhd. provides services
like the provision of gamma sterilization of
gloves and other industrial products using
Cobalt-60 source. Students were exposed to the
operation and sterilization procedure of the
products mainly gloves and surgical products. 

07

ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

30 April 2019 The Silent Killer:CYST
Am I Addicted?
Medical Physics Exhibition Oral Cancer

In conjunction of Physics Day on 30 April 2019,
Medical Physics exhibition was held at Student
Center, School of Physics, Universiti Sains
Malaysia. Students taking course ZMT 231
(Human Anatomy and Physiology) under course
instructor Dr. Nursakinah conducted exhibition
related to the course.  Several booths were set-up
by students for presenting their interesting and
informative studies. The topics were:

1. The Secret of Your Beauty Products
2. Oral Cancer
3. The Silent Killer:CYST
4. Am I Addicted?
5. Sleeping Beauty vs Sleeping Ugly (How To Get
      Quality Sleep)

Throughout the day, students were conveying
their findings to visitors. Their enthusiasm and
efforts were shown by their well-presented
informative booth. It was rewarding to find out
that all the participants (either students or
visitors) able to gain knowledge from each other.
Stay tuned for the upcoming exhibition at Physics
Day.

The Secret of Your Beauty Products Sleeping Beauty vs Sleeping Ugly

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

April - May 2019

M.Sc Medical Physics Practical at Advanced Medical and Dental
Institute (AMDI)

Between April 2019 to May 2019, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI),
one of the institutes under the governance of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has
kindly provided their facilities to Medical Physics USM. Both undergraduate and
postgraduate students have utilized the facilities for either practical experiments or
research purposes.

For practical purposes, students were introduced to different departments which
included Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiotherapy at AMDI. Along with clear
and informative explanatory, students were introduced to various kind of diagnostic
and therapeutic modalities. The modalities are included but not limited to Single-
photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), Computed tomography (CT),
Linear Accelerator (LINAC), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), etc. All the
modalities were introduced to students with details on the functionality,
components, quality control and assurance procedures.
 
At radiology department, diagnostic modalities,
like MRI and CT, were introduced to students by
the instructors. The introductory included the
main compartments, general operation, and
potential hazards of the modalities. For practical
assignment, students were assigned to conduct
quality control and assurance of the modalities via
the obtained images. It was done by comparing
obtained images (T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and
FLAIR images) of the same subject. While, CT
scanner utilized water phantom and Catphan 600
for the procedure. Images obtained using water
phantom were used to compare the measured CT
number with reference CT number (standardized
by MOH). Catphan 600’s images were used for
resolution checking purpose.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

At nuclear medicine department, students were exposed to not just SPECT but also
the preparation of nuclear medicine. The preparation was started with the
extraction of Technetium-99m (TC-99m) radionuclide through the Molybdenum-
99/Technetium-99m generator. The extracted radionuclide was undergone quality
control checking like pH, apyrogenicity, visual examination, and chemical purity
before administrated to patient.
Next, students were explained with several Quality Assurance procedure which
include:
i. Intrinsic flood field uniformity
ii. PHA windows (centering)
iii. Intrinsic energy resolution
iv. Intrinsic spatial resolution
v. Extrinsic resolution
vi. Intrinsic spatial linearity

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

At radiotheraphy department, the practical introduced students to  Intensity
Modulated Radiotherapy Treatment (IMRT) techniques and verification of the
treatment using 2D array of ionisation detector. The procedure has included
acquisition of patient’s images, planning the treatment with Intensity modulated
radiation therapy (IMRT), quality control and assurance of planned treatment with
Mosaiq System, and gamma analysis with VeriSoft System. 

We would like to express our appreciation to all the supervisors and instructors for
their dedication and commitment: 
1. Dr. Nursakinah Suardi
2. Dr. Nik Noor Ashikin Nik Ab Razak
3. Dr. Mohd Hafiz Mohd Zin
4. Dr. Noor Diyana Osman
5. Dr. Mohd Syahir Mansor
6. Ms. Suzana Mat Isa
7. Ms. Farakhdina Jamaludin
8. Mr. Khairul Nizam Jaafar
9. Ms. Nor Hafizah Ishak
10. Ms. Nursyatina Abdul Raof.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

5 September 2019

New Students Orientation

5th and 6th September 2019, “New Student Orientation” was held to welcome new
intake students for 2019/2020 session. The orientation gave the newcomers an
opportunity to know their lecturers and information related to School of Physics.
Besides, information related to completion of study (such as: courses needed,
registration, etc.) were provided to the new students.
In conjunction to “University in a Garden” which conceptualised by USM, first-year
students carried out replantation around the School of Physics’ compound. This
activity was to depict the close affinity between the role and function of university
(as an institution of higher learning) and nature (as part of the global ecological
setting). Flora, fauna, aquatic elements, and other natural creations are dynamically
linked with the exploration of knowledge into the existence of nature. Having
students involved in this activity, it able to raise the awareness on the importance of
value, preserve, and nurture the environment. This activity ended with a rewarding
bonding between new students and a new refresh look of the school.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

16 October 2019

Medical Physics Team Establishment

Medical Physics Team was introduced under the
guidance of Dr. Nursakinah Suardi (Programme
Chairperson of Medical Physics) by 16th October
2019. The team established with the aim of
introducing medical physics to others and
facilitating the improvement of medical physics
department of USM.

Motto: Together we make it happen.

Objectives:
1. Introducing the scope of study of medical           
     physics.
2. Facilitating the improvement of medical 
     physics department of USM.
3. Managing the activities of medical physics
     department throughout the year.
4. Serving as the bridge to connect current
      students and alumni

First meeting was held on  16th October  2019, 5.00 - 6.00 pm at Student Center,
School of Physics. The team members were made of enthusiastic undergraduate
medical physics students with a total number of 17. Several groups and positions were
appointed to the members. The positions included chairperson, secretaries, treasurers.
While, the groups were Brand Management Group (BMG), Communication
Management Group (CMG), Event Management Group (EMG). Each group has their
respective responsibilities. BMG has been appointed to facilitates other groups and
members for all the activities of the team. CMG would manage all the communicating
platforms. EMG would manage all the activities organized by Medical Physics Team
throughout the year.

This group also will be a platform to engage between current students and alumni so
the relationships continue even after the students graduated. Alumni engagement
would benefit the university in terms of skills and experiences offered by alumni.

Feel free to contact Dr. Nursakinah Suardi if you are interested to be part of the team.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

4 November 2019

M.Sc Radiation Science Practical at Advanced Medical
and Dental Institute (AMDI)

Radiation protection is a concept whereby exposure to any ionizing radiation
should be minimized to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Exposure to
radiation depends on distance, exposure period, and presence of shielding
between the person and radiation source. Based on this concept, one of M.Sc
Radiation Science Practical was done at Nuclear Medicine Department, AMDI.
Students did monitoring at  Hot Lab and other controlled areas, patient
monitoring before and after  radiopharmaceutical is being administered into a
patient, and personal monitoring. In the center, common radionuclides used
include Iodine-131 and Technetium-99m.  For Iodine-131, the radionuclide was
administered orally by thyroid cancer patients. Measurement of radiation
exposure towards the procedure was done. This practical session was under
the supervision of Dr. Nurul Hashikin and Ms. Farakhdina. 

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

15 November 2019

Medical Physics Interaction Day

15th November 2019, “Interaction Day” was organized by a group of enthusiastic
first-year medical physics students at KOMCA, USM. This event was introduced to
allow students having a bonding section between juniors and seniors in a relaxing
occasion. During the event, seniors shared their student life’s experiences and tips
on overcome the studies. After the sharing, several games were played to allow
further interaction between each other. The event ended with satisfying well-
served dinner and happy chit-chatting between students.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

4 December 2019

Science Demonstration

On 4th December 2019,   we received guests (students at the age between 5 to 9
years old) from Wholesome Art Center for science demonstration. Medical Physics
Team prepared a module and science demostration  for their age under Dr
Nursakinah guidance. The demonstration includes microscopic view, solar
observation, electric conductivity, newton's law of motion and projectile,
ultrasound, volcano eruption, and many more. Special thanks to Dr. Wong Chow
Jeng, Dr. Azrah, and Dr. Nurazwin for their kind participation in this demonstation.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

9 - 11 December 2019

Radiation Awareness Week

Radiation Awareness Day Program
were  organized by Medical Physics
Team and ZCE431 Class Members
under the guidance Dr. Nik Noor
Ashikin and Dr. Nursakinah.  The
program has three main activities
which are exhibition, seminar, and
laboratory tour. The objective of this
seminar is to raise awareness of
radiation among the public by
educating them on the importance
of radiation usage and radiation
protection. There are six booths for
exhibition, three topics for seminar,
and two groups for guiding
laboratory tour.   Participated
students have given their best
commitment

This event has benefitted the students to enhance certain skill sets. Based on
their well-prepared presentation, it reflected their development of researching
skills in selecting the right content for the audience. Moreover, their well-
converse during presentative show the improvement of communication skills
and personal confidence. Furthermore, this event has improved the participants’
interpersonal skills for which they have organized the event well without any
conflict.

Special thanks to all the students participated in the event.

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

nice job,
everyone! 

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

EXHIBITION Topic: Radiation Shielding used in
Radiation Protection
Topic: Radiation Detector for Dosimetry 1. Nurul Anisa Nabila Zulkifli
in Current Clinical Diagnostic Radiology 2. Jannah Idy Razlan
Practise 3. Nurul Firzanah Baharuddin
1. Adiela Saiful Fazad 4. Nur Amirah Ahmad Zaki
2. Nur Iman Amira Mohd Hijas 5. Nurain Nabila Md Saud
3. Nur Afiqah Aimi Ibrahim 6. Nurul Husna Mohd Noor
4. Nabila Farhanah Bakri
5. Aina Faqihah Mohd Khirzani Topic: Biological Effects of Radiation
6. Marissa Afnan Rusli 1. Henna Malakar Subhas Chandra
     Malakar
Topic: Radiation in Daily Live 2. Hehmadarsiny Murugan
1. Nur Farrah Ezlyn Mohammad Rusdi 3. Wan Fatimah Ariesa Wan Shamsho
2. Nur Suhaila Othman      Bhakry
3. Amira Nabila Yahaya 4. Ng Yu Kai
4. Siti Syuhada Zubir 5. Muhammas Waeil Shatir Anwar
5. Khairul Mardhiah Abu Hasan Ashari 6. Kok Sin Yean
6. Nur Athirah Mohd Nasaran
Topic: Therapeutic
Topic: Industrial Uses and Applications Radiopharmaceuticals for Routine
of Radiation Medical Use
1. Nurul Asykin Wahid 1. Nur Hafizah Mustari
2. Nur Afizatul Izni Mohd Jasri 2. Nazihah MarjanSolleh
3. Fatin Nabila Rahim 3. Tan You Quan
4. Nur Aina Najwa Mohamad Feriza 4. Karen Kong Li Noe
5. Nur Syahiirah Mohamad Mokhtar 5. Low Hui Qi
6. Zuriati Zakaria 6. Yap Yanling

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ANNUAL BULLETIN MEDICAL PHYSICS AND RADIATION SCIENCE GROUP // Vol. 001 -Dec 2019

SEMINAR LABORATORY TOUR

Topic: Radiation Risk and Benefit Topic: Different of Sources and
1. Umairah Mohd Zaki Radiation Shielding in Biophysics
2. Masyithah Ahmad Laboratory
3. Amalia Athirah Mohamed Faizal 1. Muhamad Lukman Hakim Mohd
4. Siti Nabilla Aliya Mohd Nizar      Azwi Azurain
5. Siti Nadhirah Ahmad Kuzaini 2. Muhammad Hasnain Hanapi
6. Najihah Mohd Adnan 3. Nur Hafidza Hamid
4. Nor Atikah Mazlan
Topic: Radiation Detector for 5. Kamaros Eliyati Kamaruddin
Dosimetry in Current Clinical 6. Wan Nur Afrina Wan Md Puzlee
Radiotherapy Practise
1. Salma Abdulrahman Lutf Alwasli Topic: X-ray and Detection of Radiation
2. Nurhidayah Mohd Nasir 1. Nur Fadilah Ab Aziz
3. Noor Ain Aswani Abdul Latif 2. Nur Amirah Izzati Mohamad Kamal
4. Amni Nasuha Zulkifli 3. Nor Haniza Mohamed Shar
5. Nurul Sakinah Sabri 4. Siti Nur Hazieqah Khasim
6. Nur Ashikin Ramli 5. Nur Athirah  Ayub
6. Intan Nur Amilia Amiluddin
Topic: Industrial Uses and Applications
of Radiation
1. Muhammad Nazren Mohd Sharif
2. Alfredo Marinus
3. Khaizuran Akmal Kasman
4. Mohamad Aiman Mohd Said
5. Muhammad Hariz Rosazman
6. Azzam Saleh Abdullah Al - Naggar

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FUTURE EVENTS

01. Artificial Intelligence in Medical Physics
(11th March 2020)

02. Radiobiology Seminar
(April 2020)

* The event(s) may subject to change/update without prior notice.

If you wish to sponsor our yearly events, please contact Dr. Nursakinah at
[email protected] for sponsorship opportunities.

Pop Quiz: Address:
What are the 3 common
departments in hospital School of Physics,
that utilized knowledge of Universiti Sains Malaysia,
medical physics? 11800 Penang.
Name a few radionuclides Tel : 604 653 3200 / 3198
that used as nuclear Fax: 604 657 9150
medicine. Email : [email protected]
What is the rule of thumb Website: www.fizik.usm.my
for radiation protection?

*Hints are within the bulletin