Dirk A. Bartkoski, Phd Email & Phone Number

Boca Raton, Florida, Us

As the Chief Scientific Officer of Empyrean Medical Systems, I lead the research and development of novel and disruptive oncology solutions focusing radiation therapy.

Houston, Tx, Us

I am continuing my development of two novel converging beam technologies, MOVHeET and CRNR. I am the primary researcher for the MOVHeET project and I am currently responsible for proof of concept simulations and design.In the CRNR collaboration, I work as the lab manager and research coordinator between the groups as well as being responsible for continued test platform development necessary for clinical verification of the CRNR system. I also help to oversee the computational work needed to develop a Monte Carlo based treatment planning system necessary for clinical incorporation.

Houston, Tx, Us

I am currently working to develop a prototype to do proof of principle measurements for a novel method of electron beam radiation therapy known as Magnetically Optimized Very High Energy Electron Therapy (MOVheET) with the goal of moving from concept to a new clinically viable method of radiation therapy. This technique has the potential to deliver highly localized dose distributions similar to proton therapy at less than half the cost.Additionally, I was also working in a collaboration with the company Convergent Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery (CRNR) to develop a clinically viable converging photon beam device. This technology utilizes an x-ray lens in Bragg geometry to focus 60 keV photons. The result is a highly localized dose peak with characteristics similar to a proton Bragg peak. The dose is then scanned over the 3D target area using a robotic arm as the device platform.My responsibilities in both the MOVHeET and CRNR projects were multifaceted. I performed Monte Carlo and 3D Electromagnetic FEM simulations for particle transport. I operated and designed converging photon beam experiments for dose of verification of converging beam in various materials. I designed and 3D experimental devices as well as manage the lab and equipment. I furthered the collaborative effort by acting as research coordinator as well as developing a project roadmap for commercialization.

Houston, Tx, Us

As a postdoctoral fellow in the Radiation Physics group I worked in collaboration with the head of the Radiation Physics department at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel on a project to use magnetic fields to produce pseudo-Bragg peaks for high energy electron beam therapy. I used COMSOL to perform 3D magnetostatic modeling of various novel magnet configurations coupled with charged particle tracking to verify particle beam trajectories. I then used the Monte Carlo particle transport code FLUKA to perform dose distribution studies of high energy electrons in the previously mapped magnetic fields to determine the therapeutic improvement of the technique.I developed a novel approach for electron therapy using 100-200 MeV electrons to deliver localized dose distribution within a target that had significantly less dose to the surrounding tissue. This work involved design of beamline components to deliver variable-depth localized doses as well as code written to calculate the necessary magnet parameters for dynamic depth dose control. In addition to 3D electromagnet design, I also performed Monte Carlo calculations on CT data to produce magnetically optimized dose distributions.

Oak Ridge, Tn, Us

I was responsible for redesigning the SNS Ring Electron Beam Scanner quadrupole poles in order to increase the aperture and decrease the overall size by using rectangular Panofsky quadrupoles to replace the original circular quadrupole design. I used COMSOL to perform 3D magnetic modeling and perform charged particle trajectory calculations to determine and verify design success. Additionally, I modeled the full Electron Beam Scanner path to optimize hardware dimensions.

Analyzed and designed an ionization profile monitor (IPM) for the Spallation Source Neutron (SNS) Accumulator Ring to measure turn-by-turn transverse beam profiles. Theoretical work included analysis of IPM design parameters through simulation of particle trajectories in the presence of electric and magnetic fields with the addition of beam space charge using MATLAB, and the PYTHON based accelerator simulation code ORBIT. Installed and analyzed data from a prototype IPM in the SNS Ring to verify proof of principle and experimentally determine electrical shielding design parameters. Performed 3D electromagnetic FEM simulations on IPM mechanical design to optimize required electric and magnetic fields as well as ensure the mitigation of arcing due to the high electrical fields required. Collaborated with designers to produce a complete design.Contributed to the implementation of a high-dynamic-range current monitor for the measurement of the effectiveness of the SNS Low Energy Beam Transport (LEBT) chopper system by designing a high-impedance pickoff and assembly and construction of a log amp calibration test stand based on Labview software.Developed computational tools to quantify the halo in the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) linear accelerator by analyzing beam profiles and identifying halo particles using the Gaussian area ratio and kurtosis methods. Simulated various injection quadrupole magnet settings using three types of initial simulated distributions, along with an analysis of their phase space and rms properties, to provide insight into the development of halo in the SNS linac. Finally, compared machine beam profile data, taken at the same conditions as that of the simulated data, to show how accurately the simulations model the beam and its halo development and provide a better understanding of the best matching quadrupole settings with which to minimize beam halo and losses.

Campep Accredited Medical Physics Cerficate Program, Medical Physics

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Physics

Masters, Physics

Bachelor Of Science, Engineering Physics/Applied Physics

Engineering

Ged