Ashok Tiwari, PhD

Ashok Tiwari, PhD

Medical Physics Resident

Indiana University School of Medicine

Welcome!

I am a Chief Medical Physics Resident in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Indiana University, where I focus on the clinical aspects of cancer treatment through radiation. My research interests include radiation physics, radiopharmaceutical therapy, and Monte Carlo simulations. I specialize in applying Monte Carlo simulations to address challenges in radiation physics, encompassing dosimetry and radiation biology. A key feature of my research is close collaborations with experts in radiopharmaceutical dosimetry, molecular imaging, and radiation transport simulations.

My doctoral thesis explored dosimetry in radiopharmaceutical therapy and quantitative imaging in nuclear medicine. Specifically, I investigated into two main areas: (1) dosimetry of β- and α-emitting radionuclides, and (2) Monte Carlo simulation of PET scanners, complemented by rigorous validation.

Short Bio:

I hail from Nareshwor, Gorkha, Nepal, where I cherished my formative years. I earned my B.Sc. (2008) and M.Sc. (2012) degrees from Tribhuvan University. I then pursued my second master’s degree at the University of South Dakota in 2017 and completed my Ph.D. in physics at the University of Iowa in 2022.

Outside of my professional life, I find joy in cycling and appreciate the tranquility of nature. My literary interests include both fiction and non-fiction, and I also enjoy various gaming activities, such as Carrom, card games, and exploring culinary arts.

Click here to download my CV

Interests
  • Radiation Physics
  • Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
  • Monte Carlo Simulations
  • Positron Emission Tomography
  • Theranostics
Education
  • Certificate in Medical Physics, 2023

    Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

  • PhD in Physics, 2022

    University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

  • MS in Physics, 2017

    University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, USA

  • MSc in Physics, 2012

    Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

  • BSc in Physics, 2008

    Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

Skills

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MATLAB

90%

Monte Carlo Simulation

100%

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Python

90%

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Statistics

100%

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High Performace Computing

100%

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AutoCAD

70%

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
August 2022 – December 2023 Oak Ridge, TN

Responsibilities include:

  • Research on radiation biology
  • Research on extravasation dosimetry
 
 
 
 
 
University of Iowa
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
University of Iowa
July 2022 – August 2022 Iowa City, IA

Responsibilities include:

  • Research
  • Mentor undergraduate student
 
 
 
 
 
University of Iowa
Doctoral researcher
August 2017 – May 2022 Iowa City, IA

Responsibilities include:

  • Graduate Research Assistant (Fall 2018 - Spring 2022)
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (Fall 2017 - Spring 2018)
  • Assisted studens in physics lab, graded their lab reports
  • Writing a PhD thesis
 
 
 
 
 
University of South Dakota
Graduate Research Assistant
August 2015 – May 2017 Vermillion, SD

Responsibilities included:

  • Graduate Research Assistant (Spring 2016 - Spring 2017)
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (Fall 2015)
  • Assisted studens in lab, graded their lab reports
  • Writing MS thesis
 
 
 
 
 
SS College
Physics Teacher
February 2013 – May 2015 Bhaktapur, Nepal

Responsibilities include:

  • Taught introductory nuclear phyiscs for class XII students
  • Taught heat and thermodynamics for class XI students
  • Design their exams, assited them in physics labs
  • Graded exams and homeworks
 
 
 
 
 
Tribhuvan University
Research Assistant
November 2009 – August 2012 Kathmandu, Nepal
 
 
 
 
 
Radiographer
SunShine Medical Center
November 2008 – May 2009 Kathmandu, Nepal
Performed more than 2000 chest X-rays

Projects

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Monte Carlo Simulation of Discovery MI PET scanner
Monte Carlo simulation performance studies of clinical GE Discovery MI PET scanner and its validation using the published physical measurements.
511 keV photons counting simulation studies
Monte Carlo simulation study to estimate the fraction of 511 keV photons reached to the HPGe detector out of the Y90 SIRtex vial source.
Beta Absorbed Dose Measurements
The goal of this study was to experimentally validate the GATE Monte Carlo generated absorbed doses from the beta particles emitted by beta-emitting radionucides such as 90Y and 177Lu using radiochromic EBT3 film‐based dosimetry.
Large Chest Phantom for Positron Emission Tomography
This project is for the development of a large size chest phantom that closely mimicks the adult male chest and is useful in Positron Emission Tomography.
Impact of Tissue Types on Dose Point Kernels
In-depth Monte Carlo simulation study to investigate the impact of tissue densities on dose kernels.

Recent & Upcoming Talks

Contact