Science Council Associates Mentorship Program (SCAMP)

AAPM's Science Council Mentorship Program was established to recognize and cultivate outstanding researchers at an early stage in their careers, with the goal of promoting a long-term commitment to science within AAPM. The program uses the process of "shadowing" to integrate the Associates into the scientific activities of the organization. SCAMP Associates are assigned to shadow one member from the AAPM Science Council, Research Committee, Therapy Physics Committee, Imaging Physics Committee, or Technology Assessment Committee. The Associate participates in selected meetings of the mentor's committee and joins and contributes to one task group (chosen with input from the mentor). Associates shadow AAPM-related activities of the mentor, including committee phone calls, abstract review, Young Investigator judging, committee activities at the Annual Meeting, etc. Associates receive funding to attend two consecutive AAPM Annual Meetings.

For eligibility criteria and additional information on the SCAMP Program, please visit AAPM's Grants and Fellowship Page. Application Deadline: April 1, 2018

Sponsored by the AAPM Science Council through the AAPM Education & Research Fund

Highlights from former and current Science Council Associates:

"Participating in the Science Council Associates Mentorship Program has been a fantastic opportunity. Beginning by attending my first committee meetings at last year's AAPM, I've learned a lot about how the organization works and runs, gotten to know colleagues from around the country, and been able to better pinpoint where I can contribute. I'm amazed by the volunteer time that goes into planning the Annual Meeting and creating AAPM member resources, and this program lays a foundation for me to be part of that for the rest of my career. The mentorship I've received through SCAMP has helped me navigate not just AAPM involvement, but also my career at this crucial time. I recommend the program highly"

Christina Brunnquell, PhD

"When I was chosen to be in SCAMP, I was looking forward to learning more about how the Science Council of the AAPM functions and other opportunities in Medical Physics beyond scholarship alone.I was fortunate to be paired with Jean Moran. During the first year, Jean sent me her schedule and suggested I could tag along to meetings she had planned during the AAPM. During the meetings (including planning of Spring Clinical Meeting, task group meetings, working group meetings, ad-hoc committee meetings and therapy physics council) I was able to observe a portion of the work done by volunteer physicists that goes into furthering our field. Jean encouraged me to participate, ask questions and introduced me to many physicists from around the country. From these initial introductions and interactions, I was able to get involved in TG-263 as a consultant and later was invited to join the working group on imaging for treatment planning. What made the program an exceptional experience was the access to my mentor and the other members of science council that I was given. In SCAMP, the model is to take some of the busiest volunteers at AAPM and give them the task of mentoring younger physicists. This was done with enthusiasm and patience. After SCAMP, I remain in touch with Jean, knowledgeable aboutAAPM and I have an involvement in AAPM that I know will grow with time and experience."

Sara St. James, PhD

"SCAMP has been an excellent way to learn about, participate and become more integrated in the AAPM. Through SCAMP and my mentor, I have had the opportunity to be a guest member of the Therapy Physics Council (TPC), joining in on committee meetings, being a guest member of a Task Group and contributing by reviewing several Task Group Reports as they undergo TPC review. Furthermore, the mentorship I receive through SCAMP has extended outside of AAPM-related activities. My SCAMP mentor has been outstanding for my professional development by providing opportunities to connect with and network with other members of the AAPM, feedback on my CV, and most importantly, has been a role model to me for how to be a great mentor to others. Through SCAMP I have gained a broader perspective of Medical Physics, beyond the local clinic, to the challenges faced nationally and internationally, and the efforts of the AAPM to strive to address these challenges to continually improve patient care."

Elizabeth Huynh, PhD

ASTRO-AAPM Physics Resident/Post-Doctoral Fellow Seed Grant

The AAPM and the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) are happy to announce a jointly funded research seed grant for Medical Physics Residents and Post-Doctoral Fellows. The goal of the joint seed grant is to advance the field of radiation oncology in novel ways through the support of early-career scientists involved in radiation oncology physics-related research. With this jointly supported grant, both societies aim to help support the next generation of researchers in the field of radiation oncology.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must show a commitment to a career focusing on physics-related research relevant to radiation oncology
• You must work at an institution with a well-established research and clinical career development program and qualified faculty in physics and radiation oncology to serve as a mentor
• You must be a physics resident or post-doctoral fellow, and your institution must be willing to commit 75% of your time to research for at least one year

One grant of up to $25,000 will be awarded. The start date for the 2018 award will be July 1, 2018.

Applications for the ASTRO-AAPM Physics Resident/Post-Doctoral Fellow Seed Grant will be open from January 15, 2018, and all applications must be received by April 8th, 2018 at 11:59 PM Eastern time. All applications must be submitted through Proposal Central. For more information on details about this grant opportunity, please visit the Proposal Central.

Sponsored by the AAPM Science Council through the AAPM Education & Research Fund and the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)