Noelle Clerkin | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Noelle Clerkin | Health Professions | Best Researcher Award

University of Suffolk | United Kingdom

Author profile

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Ms. Noelle Clerkin embarked on her academic journey with a foundation in health sciences. She completed her BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography from the University Campus Suffolk in 2009, following her outstanding performance in secondary education, where she earned several honors. Her academic progression is marked by continuous specialization, including a Postgraduate Certificate in Mammography from University College Dublin (2013), further deepening her expertise in breast imaging and clinical communication.

Professional Endeavors 👩‍⚕️

Ms. Clerkin's professional career is diverse and impactful. She currently serves as the Breast Service Manager at the Belfast & Social Health and Care Trust, where she leads the breast imaging services with a strong focus on service modernization and clinical excellence. Her previous roles include serving as a Deputy Breast Service Manager, Lead Clinical Practice Educator, and Advanced Practitioner at the Belfast Trust. She has also been actively involved in academia, contributing as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Suffolk and an External Examiner at Kingston University.

Contributions and Research Focus 🔬

With a strong focus on breast cancer screening, Ms. Clerkin has made significant contributions through her research and publications. Her work explores factors influencing diagnostic performance in mammography reporting. She has authored papers on the role of Radiography Advanced Practitioners (RAPs) and their impact on breast cancer screening outcomes. Her research has been featured in leading journals like Radiography and presented at international conferences, such as the European Congress of Radiology and UK Imaging and Oncology Congress, highlighting her commitment to advancing breast cancer diagnostics.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Ms. Clerkin’s expertise in radiography has been recognized through her multiple speaking engagements and presentations at prestigious conferences across Europe. Her research has earned her a reputable presence in the field of breast cancer imaging, with several conference presentations on RAP performance in breast cancer screening. This continuous contribution to knowledge underscores her role as a thought leader in the radiography and oncology communities.

Impact and Influence 🌍

As both a healthcare leader and academic, Ms. Clerkin has greatly influenced the fields of breast imaging and clinical education. She has played a pivotal role in shaping breast screening services in the Belfast Trust and has contributed to the education and development of radiographers. Her partnership with educational institutions such as the Nottingham Breast Institute of Education further emphasizes her impact on the future of healthcare professionals in the radiography sector.

Legacy and Future Contributions 🌟

Ms. Noelle Clerkin’s legacy lies in her dual roles as a clinical leader and academic scholar. Her ongoing PhD research in Health and Biological Sciences promises to yield further insights into breast cancer diagnostics, while her leadership in breast screening services ensures she continues to make a direct impact on patient care. Looking ahead, her work will likely shape the evolution of breast imaging services and radiography education for years to come.

 

Publications


📄 An initial exploration of factors that may impact radiographer performance in reporting mammograms
Authors: N. Clerkin, C. Ski, M. Suleiman, Z. Gandomkar, P. Brennan, R. Strudwick
Journal: Radiography
Year: 2024


📄 Identification of factors associated with diagnostic performance variation in reporting of mammograms: a review
Authors: N. Clerkin, C.F. Ski, P.C. Brennan, R. Strudwick
Journal: Radiography
Year: 2023


📄 Radiographers filling the mammography screening gap, but where's the evidence?
Authors: N. Clerkin, C.F. Ski, P.C. Brennan, R. Strudwick
Journal: Radiography
Year: 2023


📄 An initial exploration of factors that may impact radiographer reporting of mammography images
Authors: N. Clerkin, C.F. Ski, P.C. Brennan, R. Strudwick
Journal: Radiography
Year: 2024


 

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)