Congratulations to Colin Schaeffer, PhD Candidate, whose scientific abstract, “Automated AI Pipeline for Brain Lesion Classification using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography”, was accepted as a poster presentation at the 108th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) – the world’s largest medical imaging conference. Colin will present his research during the week of November 27-December 1 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his acceptance letter, his abstract was selected as “one of the best to invite to RSNA from over 10,000 abstracts submitted”!
Colin’s research, under the guidance of Dr Stephanie Leon, Assistant Professor, focuses on artificial intelligence applications in stroke imaging using dual-energy computed tomography. This is not the first time Colin’s research has been highlighted:
- In February 2022, Colin gave an oral presentation titled “Theoretical comparison and optimization of CdTe and GaAs photon-counting detectors for contrast-enhanced spectral mammography” at the Physics of Medical Imaging Conference at the International Society for Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Medical Imaging Symposium in San Diego, California.
- In July 2022, Colin gave an oral presentation titled “A novel methodology for assessing material differentiation in dual-energy computed tomography” at the 64th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) in Washington, DC.
- In March 2022, Colin gave an oral presentation titled “Spectra Optimization and Material Comparison for Contrast-Enhanced Spectral Mammography using CdTe and GaAs Photon-Counting Detectors” at the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (FLAAPM)
In addition to his dual-energy/computed tomography research, Colin completed three internships with the Division of Imaging, Diagnostics, and Software Reliability with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Summer 2020; Summer 2021, and Fall 2022, under the direction of Drs Stephen Glick and Bahaa Ghammraoui. These internships focused on researching photon-counting detectors for use in breast imaging.
Colin also gave presentations as part of the Spring 2021 and Spring 2022 UF Medical Physics seminar course; works as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Radiology; served as a teaching assistant for the Research Methods and Diagnostic I courses; serves as a mentor for numerous MS students and undergraduate interns; and is an active member of the UF Society of Health and Medical Physics (SHMPS).
In August 2022, Colin presented his PhD proposal titled “Automated Differentiation of Blood and Iodine in Stroke Patients”. He is expected to defend this proposal in Summer 2023 and then start a diagnostic residency.
Colin’s exceptional academic year is paralleled by his equally outstanding personal achievements. He has a remarkable work-life balance, actively participating in various UF intra-mural sports (softball; volleyball); attending trivia nights with his fellow graduate assistants; and enjoying quality time with his beautiful fiancé Laura Peek and their beloved pooch Bailey.
If that was not enough, Colin will soon become a married man. He and Laura will be wed in late October at the Sweetwater Branch Inn, a luxurious Victorian bed and breakfast in historic downtown Gainesville. Subsequent to tying the knot, Colin and Laura will embark on their honeymoon to Maui, Hawai’i!
Colin is the quintessential “team-player” – coming in early to support the graduate coordinator, assisting other students with problem-solving, and, most importantly, he can always be counted on for his outrageous donut eating skills. His juggling capabilities though … those need work!
We are honored that Colin chose the UF Medical Physics Graduate Program to complete his MS and PhD and look forward to his ongoing contributions to Medical Physics!
