Current Residents

Daniel Alexander, PhD

Chief Medical Physics Resident

I grew up in southern Rhode Island and moved to Troy, NY to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where I received a BS and MS, both in physics. While there, my research focused on experimental particle astrophysics, specifically detector technology for dark matter search experiments. I then moved back to New England to complete my PhD in medical physics at Dartmouth, where my dissertation focused on novel applications of Cherenkov emission imaging in radiation therapy as part of a collaboration between the Thayer School of Engineering and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. During the latter half of my PhD studies, I also had the opportunity to work as a research scientist with DoseOptics LLC, where I worked on the development and commercial deployment of the BeamSite clinical Cherenkov imaging system. My current research interests include optical imaging, in vivo surface dosimetry, and image guided radiation therapy. In my free time, I enjoy playing music, hiking and skiing the northeast, cooking, and playing with my polydactyl cat, Hallux.

Jace Grandinetti, PhD

Medical Physics Resident Education Officer

I grew up in a small suburb outside of Dallas, TX and attended the University of Texas at Arlington where I earned my BS degree in Physics. Here, I gained an early exposure to research in a high-energy physics lab and also interned at Fermi Lab where I characterized the performance of a novel Cherenkov detector for use at CERN. I then received my MS in Medical Physics at Vanderbilt University before eventually continuing to UT Southwestern and earning a PhD in Medical Physics where my research was focused in ultra-low-field MRI. While there, I constructed a novel MRI system for preclinical MR-guided radiation experiments and also developed deep learning models to improve the reconstruction quality of low-field MR images. Outside the clinic, I enjoy playing guitar, traveling with my wife, and spending time with my two cats.

Elvia Odalis Reyes Guevara, MS

I was born and raised in Guatemala. I received my BS in physics at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. I decided to move to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in medical physics at the University of Pennsylvania, where my thesis research focused on the commissioning of a 7-degree-of-freedom robotic arm for preclinical proton FLASH pencil-beam scanning. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring the coffee shop scene at Philly, watching movies with my friends, and tease them about learning Spanish with me.

Ahmad Sakaamini, PhD

I was born and raised in Southern California. My academic journey started at California State University Fullerton, where I earned my BS and MS in Physics. The next stop was England, where I earned my PhD in Physics from the University of Manchester (UK), with a dissertation on electron impact ionization experiments on methane and nitrogen via (e,2e) coincidence techniques to test quantum mechanics’ models. I engaged in two distinct postdoc experiences. My first was back at CSU Fullerton, focusing on experiments which included the measurements of benchmark angle-differential cross-section ratios for the electron-impact excitation of both xenon and krypton. My second postdoc brought me to the University of Pennsylvania where I developed a robotic system for use in brain SRS and other radiation treatment modalities. The work involved high-speed electronics, low-level hardware programming, image-guided system integration, gel dosimetry fabrication, and treatment planning for SRS. One of my key interests lies in FLASH radiotherapy, development of robotics, and AI-driven solutions for optimizing radiotherapy treatment planning routines. Beyond my professional pursuits, I harbor a deep love for black & white photography, traveling, and music.

Melissa Vila, MS

I was born in Voorhees, New Jersey to parents who emigrated to the United States from Lima, Peru. For the better part of my life, I lived in the northern region of Delaware. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware in 2019, where I received a BS in physics and minored in mathematics. Two years later I began my graduate studies and received an MS in medical physics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. During this time, I worked on a novel approach for the development of a three-dimensional dosimeter with applications in FLASH proton radiotherapy. In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, going to the movies, trying new restaurants and ice cream places in Philly, and spending time with my friends and family.

Brook Byrd, PhD

My family is from Williamsburg, Virginia, an 18th century colonial town located in southern Virginia.  I completed my BS in Applied Physics with a minor in Ethical Leadership studies at Christopher Newport University in 2017. During my time at CNU, I played collegiate tennis, led multiple community service trips, and performed nuclear detector research at the nearby Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator facility, a national lab also located in Newport News, Virginia. With a strong passion for bridging science with service, I pursued a UK-US Fulbright Fellowship in Radiotherapy, and explored virtual radiotherapy training opportunities (VERT), 3D visualization solutions for CBCT/CT image matching, and methods for improving Radiotherapy education within the UK. This highly cross-cultural Fulbright exchange also provided me with a wider global perspective, humility, and empathy; which continues to shape my actions today. Penn’s shared interest in cross-cultural communications and global collaboration is another leading factor for why I choose to be a part of this program.

After moving back to the US, I pursued a PhD in engineering at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College with a certificate in Medical Physics and Surgical Innovation. My doctoral research at Dartmouth spanned multiple fields and I’ve been lucky to work with surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, technicians, research scientists, and many mentors along the way. Over the 5 years of my PhD career, I was involved in over a dozen preclinical imaging collaborations and four major clinical studies. My research also supported a start-up breast cancer surgical guidance company, CairnSurgical Inc., in multiple clinical trials which aimed to make supine MRI an efficient and cost-effective imaging strategy for breast cancer surgical guidance. 

Through these clinical experiences, I discovered a deep passion for patient care and a strong motivation to improve lives through clinical work. With interest in the intersections of clinical practice, scientific advancements, and commercial translation, I’m excited to remain involved in all three spheres during my time here as a 3-yr research resident. When I’m not in the clinic, I’m an avid swimmer, runner, and world-traveler.

Megan Chesal, PhD

I was raised in the small town of Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish) in northern Louisiana before moving to Baton Rouge to attend Louisiana State University (LSU). After graduation, I received a BS in physics and entered the Medical Physics Graduate program. My master’s research was focused on using advanced computational tetrahedral-type phantoms to assess the radiation dose distribution to astronauts on the International Space Station. I continued at LSU for my PhD research, where my dissertation dealt with the development of cosmic ray generators to replicate the radiation dose distribution of astronauts in mice for ground-based space radiobiology studies. I have a strong interest in the use and advancement of ions in radiation therapy, as well as the continued education of the public and students on the applications of radiation and medical physics. I enjoy listening to music, baking breads and desserts, hiking, and writing fantasy stories in my free time.

Yin Gao, PhD

I was born and raised in Yangzhou, China, and moved to the United States in high school. I received a bachelor’s degree in health science from Stony Brook University. Upon graduation, I began working as a certified medical dosimetrist at Boston Medical Center to design radiation therapy plans for cancer patients. Driven by my passion for radiotherapy, I pursued further studies and earned a master’s degree in medical physics from Duke University. My passion for research development later let me join UT Southwestern Medical Center to pursue PhD training. With a unique perspective as a former dosimetrist, my doctoral research focused on developing and integrating an intelligent automatic treatment planning framework. Utilizing cutting-edge artificial intelligence techniques, I aim to enhance the quality of radiotherapy plans, improve planning efficiency, and reduce quality variations. In my free time, I enjoy snowboarding, playing tennis, and piano.

Bolin Li, MS

My journey began in Tianjin, China, where I was born and raised before moving to the U.S. at the age of eight. Growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I pursued my undergraduate degree in physics and biophysics at the University of Michigan. Subsequently, I began my graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and received an MS in medical physics. During this time, I worked on integrating advanced AI techniques, such as large language models (LLMs), into clinical practice. My research was focused on automating breast cancer staging using LLMs with different prompting frameworks. I am driven by a keen interest in leveraging emergent AI technologies to enhance clinical processes. Beyond my research, I am passionate about contributing to the growth of others by serving as an educator and mentor. In my spare time, I really enjoy swimming, cooking different cuisines, and exploring the food and city scene with my friends. 

Maksym Sharma, PhD

I grew up splitting my time between a small village outside Lviv, Ukraine, and Moscow, Russia. I moved to Canada, where I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and earned a BSc degree in Biomedical Physics, with minors in Chemistry and Biology. After graduating, I was awarded the Harold E. Johns studentship, which I held at the Carlo Fidani Regional Cancer Centre in the summer of 2019. I then moved to London, Ontario, where I earned my PhD in Medical Biophysics from the University of Western Ontario. My doctoral thesis focused on the development of texture analysis and machine learning algorithms to predict clinical outcomes and quantify structural and functional changes occurring in the lungs of ex-smokers with and without COPD. I am interested in directly impacting patient care by developing emerging technologies, applying radiomics tools, and translating research advancements into safe and effective clinical applications. In my free time, I enjoy playing table tennis, football/soccer, chess, swimming, and I love to travel around the world and enjoy hiking with friends.