Meet the candidates standing for Deputy Director for STERIC and VP for Medical Physics
This year we have been spoiled for choice with many excellent candidates to become the new Deputy Director for STERIC and VP for Medical Physics respectively. Meet them below to help you decide who you'd like to cast you ballot for!
Deputy Director for STERIC
Chris Hopkins
Chris is a Consultant Clinical Scientist, an Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science at Swansea University, and an Honorary Professor in the Wales Institute of Science and Art. He is currently Head of TriTech & Innovation in Hywel Dda University Health Board, Assistant Director of AHP’s and Health Science in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Clinical Director within the Assistive technologies and innovation centre, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David.
Holding fellowships from the AHCS and IPEM, he is also a Chartered Scientist and a Chartered Engineer. Chris is a member of the expert advisory committee within MHRA, a member of the Health Technology Wales appraisal panel and was awarded the Excellence in Healthcare Science Research and Innovation Award at the NHS England Chief Scientific Officer’s Excellence in Healthcare Science Awards 2022.
Collaborating with various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Wales and the UK, the team conducts research and real-world evaluations on medical technologies. The team is composed of individuals holding dual NHS/HEI honorary contracts and encompasses a variety of backgrounds including NHS, HEI and industry. Engaging with this talented group of young professionals has reinforced his belief that achieving greater inclusivity and diversity within IPEM is not only achievable but also essential for its future prosperity.
Chris believes that the Deputy Director of STERIC offers an excellent opportunity to apply his interdisciplinary research and evaluation abilities, extensive engagement background, leadership experience, and collaborations with professional organisations to advance and elevate the scientific, research, and innovation endeavours of IPEM.
Richard Meades
I have enjoyed a 21-year career focused on clinical service development, applied research, innovation and scientific teaching and training in nuclear medicine and more recently AI in healthcare. I currently lead the provision of medical physics expertise for one of the largest radionuclide therapy services in the NHS. From involvement with IPEM throughout my career I have an appreciation of its evolution and the types of work activities that benefit members and further the aims and objectives of the organisation. Establishing and chairing the IPEM AI Group and playing an active role in the recent strategy review initiative has provided me with a greater depth of understanding of the structures, processes, culture, opportunities and challenges within IPEM. In turn, this has increased my motivation to have a more influential role in helping shape the future of IPEM and how it supports its members to provide the best possible care to service users.
Healthcare is subject to emerging trends that evolve at an ever-increasing pace and faces increasingly significant challenges which IPEM’s members play a pivotal role in addressing. My vision for this role is to provide an experienced NHS medical physicist’s perspective within STERIC, driving its work to keep pace with these trends and supporting IPEM’s members to harness the latest research and innovations in meeting the growing and evolving challenges that we face. I look forward to the opportunity to fulfil these ambitions and the aims and objectives of STERIC in the role of its Deputy Director.
Robert Ross
Hi, I'm Robert and I'm a radiotherapy physics clinical scientist with over 10 years experience. I'm an MPE and graduated from HSSR. I was the inaugural chair of the new Clinical and Scientific Computing
SIG. I was also the SIG Chair represantative on STERIC. CSC SIG is a successful, productive SIG, and I've demonstrated my committment to helping STERIC and IPEM more broadly, working towards improving how IPEM serves its members and the needs of our communities.
I'm keen to ensure all members are represented at STERIC, regardless of location or experience, and I will continue to work ensuring processes are fair and that activities represent good value for members.
George Bruce
My name is George Bruce, and I am a HCPC registered Clinical Scientist specialising in MRI Physics for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC). In 2023, I was awarded the Chief Scientist Office Clinical Academic Fellowship, allowing me to undertake a PhD in Biomedical Engineering with the University of Glasgow three days a week. I believe that having my time split between my healthcare and academic roles allows me to understand the challenges across both institutions regarding research and innovation in healthcare. I currently volunteer in several IPEM groups, including STERIC, STEF 2024 Steering Group and the Prizes and Awards Committee (of which I am now vice-chair). Alongside my clinical duties for NHS GGC, I also co-chair the Department of Clinical Physics and Bioengineering’s Research, Development and Innovation group. Being involved in so many groups across both the local and IPEM wide community has highlighted to me the importance of establishing links between organisations and different groups across the UK.
Applying to be the Deputy Director of STERIC is a great opportunity to pursue continued professional development, especially in my current dual role. R,D&I has always been part of my work which I really enjoy, especially when trying to implement new ideas into clinical practice. I look forward to continuing my work with STERIC to help encourage and facilitate research and innovation within the community.
VP for Medical Physics
Claire Hardiman
I started as a Medical Physicist in 1986 and am currently Head of Radiation Physics at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, an IPEM Fellow, MPE, RPA, co-chair of the Trust’s Radiation Safety Committee, Coordinator of the London North Medical Physics Training Consortium and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College.
My career encompasses clinical, academic, research, accreditation and training roles in the UK and France, including four years as Professional Lead for Medical Physics at the National School of Healthcare Science and roles at local, regional, national and European level.
I was inspired to volunteer with IPEM at a lunchtime meeting at MPEC, aimed at increasing female involvement, over 20 years ago. I have championed high quality professional standards, training and education through my IPEM roles, including former Trustee, Director of PSC, Chair of EFOMP’s Professional Committee. I have worked closely with the Science Council, British Standards Institute, Academy of Healthcare Science, Professional Standards Authority, DoH’s Modernising Scientific Careers team, NSHCS and the Technical Committee of UKAS’s Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Accreditation Programme. I value listening, negotiating and influencing skills to build a consensus and achieve objectives.
In 2021, I was honoured to receive the President’s Gold Medal for Exceptional Service for IPEM in recognition of my enthusiasm and commitment to IPEM.
IPEM is a much-respected professional body, of which I am proud to be a member and consider to be my professional home. I would be honoured to continue this work through the role of Vice President Medical Physics.
Simon Shah
Currently, I am the Clinical Lead for MR Physics at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, where I have gained expertise in medical physics, particularly in MRI. With over 12 years of experience, I have developed and optimised MR services, ensuring safety and efficacy, and have advanced protocols for complex cases. My leadership extends to leading quality improvement projects, notably in advanced acceleration technology evaluations and implementations, contributing significantly to the NHS's imaging capabilities. I am passionate about education, mentoring the next generation of medical physicists, and contributing to research & innovation. I am keen to leverage my experience to contribute to IPEM’s mission, driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and promoting high standards in medical physics.