Three project workshops will have topics related to the research tasks in the WPs: Anthropomorphic computational models, Monte Carlo simulations in medicine, 3D printing technologies. Two workshops have already been implemented and the third one is upcoming soon.
Workshop II: Monte Carlo simulations in medicine
The Project 2nd Workshop on Monte Carlo simulations in medicine has taken place in conjunction with the GEANT4 International user conference, which is organized by the University of Naples – Federico II in Naples, Italy, during the period 24 – 26 October 2022.
Both events concern relevant topics to Monte Carlo simulations in medicine, and aimed to strongly support the activities within the WP2, concerning the computational methods for creation of anthropomorphic phantoms, as well as, WP4, related to the validation and effective use of computational and physical models in x-ray imaging research.
Monte Carlo simulations experience is uniquely brought by UNINA and BIOEMTECH project partners. UNINA has experience with GEANT4 code for simulations in diagnostic x-ray images, while BIOEMTECH has experience with GATE simulation toolkit, dedicated for simulations in nuclear medicine. The PHENOMENO partners have shown full commitment to the successful implementation of the 2nd Workshop on Monte Carlo simulations in medicine. The organization and implementation of the Workshop in conjunction with the GEANT4 International User Conference provided increased opportunities for improving the creation of computational breast models to perform Monte Carlo simulation studies for the project purposes.
Workshop I: Anthropomorphic phantoms. Ethical issues in clinical studies: the flow
On 4 February 2022, World Cancer Day, the PHENOMENO project team held the 1st dedicated Workshop on: Anthropomorphic models. Ethical issues in clinical studies. The date was deliberately chosen to highlight the commitment of the team members in improvement of breast imaging techniques and breast cancer awareness.
Approximately 50 participants including members of all five consortium partners, attended the event, which was hosted by the project coordinator – Medical University of Varna. Prof. Anton Tonchev, Director of the Research Institute, opened the workshop and expressed his support on behalf of the Medical University of Varna to the PHENOMENO project. Further on, experts in the field such as, Prof. Paolo Russo (University of Naples), Assoc. Prof. Radoslav Georgiev (Medical University of Varna) and Asst. Prof. Tsvetelina Teneva (Medical University of Varna), presented advantages and disadvantages of Breast Computed Tomography, X-ray and MRI breast imaging techniques in terms of diagnostics possibilities. In addition, the workshop program included topics of interest to participants such as, breast anatomy and genetics of the breast cancer.
During the second session of the event, there was a fruitful discussion on ethical issues in medical research domain. Representatives of all stakeholders – researchers, technical staff, members of ethics committees, etc. – took part in the discussion on ethical issues, which are part of the management and implementation of an EU funded project in the field of healthcare.
In conclusion, 1st Workshop within the framework of PHENOMENO succeed to gather together many experts in the specific field, and it was considered as very successful and highly evaluated by all participants.
Participation in the 9-th edition of the IEEE International Conference on e-Health and Bioengineering (EHB 2021)
Members of the PHENOMENO project attended the 9-th edition of the IEEE International Conference on e-Health and Bioengineering (EHB 2021). The conference was held during 18-19 November 2021, ONLINE from Iasi-Romania. This year the conference motto was “Leveraging top technology for healthcare development„, representing the fundamental pillars of medical bioengineering and biomedical engineering for the reinforcement of medical research and of health care.
The team members participated in the forum with the following topic:
• “Contrast Agent Dual Energy Imaging: Computer Simulations In Search For Printing Materials” – an oral presentation given by Tihomir Georgiev.
The EHB 2021 confrence has proven to be an appropriate place for promoting concepts and advanced hardware and software technologies developed under the PHENOMENO project.
Participation in the XXXVIII-th Workshop „Physics in human and environment protection“
Members of the PHENOMENO project participated in the XXXVIII-th Workshop „Physics in human and environment protection“. The event was held online on 22-23 October 2021. The main topic “50 years BSBPE – history and future in the service of healthcare” was related to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bulgarian Society of Biomedical Physics and Engineering – host of the event.
In recent years, the biomedical engineering team from Medical University of Varna (MUV) traditionally presents the results of its project activities during this annual workshop. This year the tradition was also kept, as the team participated with presentation titled:
– A method for modelling of contrast enhanced mammography imaging: A simulation study, authors Tihomir Georgiev, Kristina Bliznakova, Yanka Baneva
In addition, another consortium partner participated in the event, presenting the results of the first joint project, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund (BNSF). Collaborative action called “ARPHA”, between Dr. Kristina Bliznakova (MUV) and Nikiforos Okkalidis (MORPHE), addresses the limitations for the replication of soft and bone tissues utilizing FDM 3D printing technology.
Closing the workshop, the BSBPE president expressed gratitude and highly appreciated the participation of the PHENOMENO team in the annual forum.
OCTOBER: BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Students from the Medical University of Varna supported the cause of the project team to promote the Breast Cancer Awareness and sent the message: PREVANTIVE CARE SAVES LIVES!
Kick – off meeting and 1st GAM
The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria, as a Coordinator of the PHENOMENO project, hosted the Project 1st General Assembly and Kick-off meeting on 22 June 2021. The international Consortium gathered professionals from academic and industry sectors with expertise in several different fields – biomedical engineers, medical physicists, computer specialists, and medical doctors from Bulgaria, Italy and Greece.
The main issues in the agenda of the 1st project meeting between the beneficiaries included an overview of the overall PHENOMENO project, work packages and tasks review, action plan and implementation technology, partners’ duties and responsibilities of the team members, ongoing activities progress and discussion on the organization of the upcoming events and Secondments.
At the end of the meeting, the participants expressed their confidence in the success of the project implementation and considered the 1st General Assembly and Kick-off Meeting very fruitful.
The project coordinator, Prof. Kristina Bliznakova, was awarded by the Varna mayor with the Annual Individual „Varna“ Award in the „Natural sciences“ category! The recognition is for the preparation, management and coordination of the PHENOMENO project.