Elisa Placidi | Physics and Astronomy | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Elisa Placidi | Physics and Astronomy | Best Researcher Award

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS |Italy

Dr. Elisa Placidi is a distinguished researcher in medical physics and interventional radiotherapy, with a strong publication record reflected in 785 citations, an h-index of 16, and 26 i10-index publications. Her research focuses on advancing modern brachytherapy, improving dosimetric accuracy, and integrating innovative technologies such as 3D-printed applicators and image-guided systems. She has contributed extensively to studies evaluating the dosimetric impact of air gaps in high-dose-rate contact radiotherapy for non-melanoma skin cancers, the transition from PDR to HDR techniques for head and neck tumors, and the development of multilayer, high-density shielding applicators for personalized treatment. Her work also includes retrospective comparisons of HDR brachytherapy versus VMAT and electron beam therapy, investigations into patient-reported outcomes in nasal vestibule treatments, and characterization of plastic scintillator detectors for in vivo dosimetry. In her clinical role as a medical physicist, she supports treatment planning and optimization for external beam and interventional radiotherapy, contributing to high-precision cancer care. Complementing her clinical and research activities, she is involved in quality assurance and the academic training of future professionals in physics and radiological safety.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Rosa, E., Fionda, B., Vaccaro, M., Placidi, E., Lancellotta, V., Napolitano, A., Pastore, F., Greco, F., Dragonetti, P., La Milia, M. C., et al. (2025). Dosimetric impact of air gaps in high-dose-rate contact interventional radiotherapy (modern brachytherapy) for non-melanoma skin cancer of the ear. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(21).

van Noortwijk, R., Kroon, P., Kastelijns, M., Jürgenliemk-Schulz, I., Verduijn, G., Kolkman-Deurloo, I.-K., Tagliaferri, L., Fionda, B., Placidi, E., Al-Mamgani, A., et al. (2025). A review on the transition from PDR to HDR brachytherapy (interventional radiotherapy) for treatment of head and neck cancer: Clinical and practical aspects. Brachytherapy.

Rosa, E., Raponi, S., Fionda, B., Vaccaro, M., Napolitano, A., Lancellotta, V., Pastore, F., Ciasca, G., Siebert, F.-A., Tagliaferri, L., et al. (2025). Intensity-modulated interventional radiotherapy using 3D-printed applicators with multilayer geometry and high-density shielding materials for NMSC treatment. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 15(10).

Rosa, E., Raponi, S., Fionda, B., Vaccaro, M., Lancellotta, V., Napolitano, A., Ciasca, G., Bannoni, L., Cornacchione, P., Tagliaferri, L., et al. (2025). 3D-printed devices in interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) applications: A literature review. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 15(6).

Tagliaferri, L., Manfrida, S., Fionda, B., Dinapoli, N., Barbaro, B., De Luca, V., Placidi, E., Bertolini, R., Marazzi, F., Lancellotta, V., et al. (2025). High-tailored anal canal radiotherapy (HIT-ART): Long-term results of MR image-guided interventional radiotherapy boost. Brachytherapy.

Placidi, E., Fionda, B., Rosa, E., Lancellotta, V., Napolitano, A., De Angeli, M., Ciasca, G., Pastore, F., Gambacorta, M. A., Tagliaferri, L., et al. (2024). Retrospective dosimetric comparison of HDR interventional radiotherapy versus planning with VMAT and electron beam therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer treatment. Applied Sciences, 14(22).

Tagliaferri, L., Sciurti, E., Fionda, B., Loperfido, A., Lancellotta, V., Placidi, E., Parrilla, C., La Milia, M. C., Rosa, E., Rigante, M., et al. (2024). PRO-NOVELTY: Patient-reported outcomes in nose vestibule interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy). Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(16).

Herreros, A., Pérez-Calatayud, J., Ballester, F., Abellana, R., Neves, J., Melo, J., Moutinho, L., Tarrats-Rosell, J., Serrano-Rueda, S., Tagliaferri, L., et al. (2024). Characterization of plastic scintillator detector for in vivo dosimetry in gynecologic brachytherapy. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 14(3).

Alessandra Perez | Medical Physics | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alessandra Perez | Medical Physics | Best Researcher Award

Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati - INFN | Brazil

Author Profile

Scopus

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Alessandra Perez began her academic career at the University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Physics in 2012. Her interest in the application of physics to medical technology led her to pursue a Master’s degree from 2012 to 2015, during which she conducted an experimental study on optimizing CR and DR digital mammography systems. Building on her previous studies, Dr. Perez completed her PhD in Physics Applied to Medicine and Biology in 2023, focusing her dissertation on the characterization of digital mammography systems. This comprehensive academic background laid a strong foundation for her future contributions to the field of medical physics.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Perez’s professional endeavors reflect a combination of rigorous academic research and practical teaching experience. From 2022 to 2024, she served as a virtual learning facilitator at the Virtual University of Sao Paulo, teaching courses such as Basic Mathematics, General Physics, and Calculus I. In addition to her virtual teaching roles, she was involved in the Teaching Improvement Program at the University of Sao Paulo, where she contributed to the disciplines of Radiodiagnostics and Dosimetry. These roles not only demonstrate her expertise in medical physics but also her commitment to educating the next generation of scientists.

Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Perez has made significant contributions to medical physics, particularly in the optimization and characterization of digital mammography systems. Her research projects have been funded by prestigious organizations such as CAPES (Brazil) and ICTP (Italy). From 2017 to 2023, she conducted a detailed technical characterization of six clinical digital mammography systems, focusing on parameters like spatial resolution, noise power spectrum, and detective quantum efficiency. More recently, her research has expanded to high-resolution X-ray imaging and tomography, where she investigates phase contrast imaging techniques to enhance the sensitivity of X-rays in detecting weakly absorbing objects. This research, conducted at the XLab-Frascati, utilizes advanced equipment like a microfocus source and a CCD detector to push the boundaries of medical imaging technology.

Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Perez’s research has garnered significant recognition in the scientific community. She has published numerous papers in esteemed journals such as Radiation Physics and Chemistry and Radiation Measurements. Her notable publications include studies on the performance evaluation of digital mammography systems, the quantitative assessment of mammography digital detectors, and the characterization of digital systems used in medical X-ray imaging. These publications highlight her expertise and the impact of her research on improving diagnostic imaging technologies.

Impact and Influence

Dr. Perez’s work has had a profound impact on the field of medical physics, particularly in the realm of digital mammography. Her research on optimizing imaging systems has contributed to improved diagnostic accuracy, which is crucial for early detection of diseases like breast cancer. Additionally, her efforts in teaching and mentoring have helped cultivate a new generation of medical physicists who are well-equipped to further advance the field. Her influence extends beyond research, as she actively participates in academic conferences and training programs, sharing her knowledge and insights with a broader audience.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Perez’s legacy is defined by her dedication to advancing medical imaging technologies and her commitment to education. As she continues her career, her ongoing research on high-resolution X-ray imaging and tomography is expected to yield significant advancements in medical diagnostics. Dr. Perez’s work will undoubtedly continue to influence future research and clinical practices, contributing to the development of more precise and effective diagnostic tools. Her contributions to medical physics, both in research and education, ensure that her impact will be felt for many years to come.

 

Notable Publications

Quantitative assessment of signal and noise properties of mammography digital detectors 2024

Performance evaluation of six digital mammography systems 2024

Characterization of digital systems used in medical X-ray imaging 2022 (1)

Estudo Experimental da Otimização em Sistemas de Mamografia Digital CR e DR 2017 (3)

Experimental evaluation of the image quality and dose in digital mammography: Influence of x-ray spectrum  2015 (7)