• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
    • Graduate Abstract Locator
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Title: Studying the Effects of Proton Therapy on Human Tissue Using the Pennes Bio-Heat Equation

Undergraduate #315
Discipline: Mathematics and Statistics
Subcategory: Cancer Research
Session: 2
Room: Exhibit Hall A

Ashley Alfred - Southern University A&M College
Co-Author(s): Dr. Patrick Mensah, Southern University Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, LA.



Proton therapy (PT) is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. A synchrotron or cyclotron machine speeds up protons creating high energy that make the protons reach a certain depth in the body to deliver the set amount of radiation dose in a tumor. As opposed to x-rays, proton therapy results in less damage to healthy tissues nearby the tumor. Proton therapy treatment is more expensive, and sometimes a less effective treatment in certain cancers, but more effective in others. The goal of this research is to look at how we can improve proton therapy treatment by solving a partial differential equation (PDE) to predict effect of PT on tissue temperature. We use the Pennes bioheat equation, a PDE for tissue temperature, and look at possible boundary conditions, such as, the amount of energy from proton therapy, the diameter of the source of energy, and the effects of the dose calculation on tissue temperature profiles. Numerical solutions will be used to solve the PDE with applied boundary conditions. Computational results include the temperature contour of the tumor and surrounding tissue. This study is used to deduce the potential inflammation or damages and efficacy of the PT treatment compared to using X-rays to treat cancer tumors.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This research is funded by the Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST).

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Patrick Mensah, PATRICK_MENSAH@subr.edu

Role: I am doing all parts of this research under the guidance of my mentor.

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science