Double Inaugural Lecture professors Carola van Pul & Coen Hurkmans

Prof.dr.ir. Carola van Pul was appointed as part-time Professor of Physics for Diagnosing and Monitoring on December 1, 2022.
Prof.dr.ing. Coen Hurkmans was appointed as part-time Professor of Radiation Therapy Clinical Physics on January 1, 2023.

Carola and Coen will jointly deliver their inaugural lectures on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 15.30.
The inaugural lectures will be preceded by a TU/e MedTech Day symposium titled ‘Clinical Physics; from ideas to clinical implementation’, dedicated to the themes of the lectures, from 9.30 to 14.30.
 

The titles of the lectures are
Coen Hurkmans    Klinische Fysica Radiotherapie: Leren, Innoveren, Implementeren en Valideren
Carola van Pul        Physics of Diagnosing and Monitoring
 

About the lectures
Innovation in healthcare is vital for advancing medical treatments, enhancing patient outcomes and optimizing healthcare delivery. However, the trajectory from an innovation to clinical application is long due to regulatory complexities, development costs, interoperability in current practice and educational needs regarding the adoption of new technologies.
In this lecture, they will zoom in on bridging the gap in the field of clinical physics.

First, in his lecture ‘Klinische Fysica Radiotherapie: Leren, Innoveren, Implementeren en Valideren’, Coen will sketch the position that radiotherapy holds in the treatment of cancer patients and how radiotherapy developed from the end of the 19th century to now. Improved medical technology has enabled us to go from very long treatment schedules of five to seven weeks of daily treatments to only one or a few treatments for many patients currently. This has not only lowered the burden on patients but also on clinical staff, which is important considering the expected shortage of staff and the foreseen increase in cancer patients.
Using some practical examples, Coen will explain why a combination of learning, innovating, implementing and validating is essential to developing and safely and effectively using medical technology within radiotherapy. He will also explain which current and future challenges we face in keeping radiotherapy at a high level and available to everyone.

Coen's lecture will be given in English. 
 

Next, in her lecture ‘Physics of Diagnosing and Monitoring’, Carola will focus on general medical physics and developments in sensors and monitoring systems. Examples from the highly technological environment of neonatal intensive care units will be presented, where technological developments are needed to support care for fragile infants. This requires less obtrusive diagnostics, early warning systems and interoperability with existing medical equipment.
Medical technology can only be advanced through a multidisciplinary approach that aligns engineering aspects with clinical and patient needs. Integrating these innovations seamlessly into existing hospital systems is essential for their adoption. 

Carola will deliver her lecture in Dutch. 


For more information
Please download the invitation below or contact the Office of Doctoral Presentations and Academic Ceremonies.

Location and livestream
The public lectures will be delivered in the Blauwe Zaal of the Auditorium.
In case you cannot attend, you can join us via livestream or watch the lecture afterwards .

After June 7, 2024
The text of the lecture will be available online in addition to previously delivered inaugural and valedictory lectures.

MedTech Day Symposium
The inaugural lectures will be preceded by a symposium, ‘MedTech Day 2024’, dedicated to the themes of the lectures, from 9.30-14.30. Information about the symposium and registration can be found here.