University of Groningen
Real-time positron emission tomography for range verification of particle radiotherapy
Ozoemelam, Ikechi
DOI:
10.33612/diss.133158935
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Publication date: 2020
Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database
Citation for published version (APA):
Ozoemelam, I. (2020). Real-time positron emission tomography for range verification of particle radiotherapy. University of Groningen. https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.133158935
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Acknowledgement
The road leading to this thesis is paved with the contributions of persons to whom I owe a great depth of gratitude. To be candid, my path has crossed so many people such that an exhaustive list of acknowledgement would be inconceivable. Thus, I will start by appreciating people who are not mentioned here. I really value your contributions! My sincere gratitude goes to my supervisor, Peter and my promotor, Sytze. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work on this project in the medical physics group and also for the many discussions, exchange of ideas, invaluable advice, continuous support, timely feedback, guidance and the confidence you have reposed on me to execute this project. It was indeed a great priviledge working under your supervision. Your guidance towards navigating the Dutch society and other issues beyond the thesis are also thankfully acknowledged.
To members of the assessment committee, Prof. Rosso, Prof. Schippers, and Prof. Poppe, thanks for reading this thesis and sending in your feedback.
I would like to express my gratitude to Emiel, Marc-Jan and the technical staff of the AGOR cyclotron for their assistance during the experiments at the KVI-CART and to former colleagues Tom and Karol for the great discussions and support at the early phase of my PhD journey.
A great part of this thesis wouldn’t have been realized without the contributions of Siemens. The PET scanner used in this thesis was realized through a collaboration between the university of Groningen and Siemens Healthcare Nederland B.V. For this contribution, I am deeply grateful to Siemens. Furthermore, I would like to offer my special thanks to their scientific staff, Nan, Matthias and Maciej. On many occasions, Maciej and Matthias made the long trip from the USA to Groningen to support us during on-site experiments. I very much enjoyed working with you and really appreciate the insightful comments on PET detector technology and suggestions on the experiments. Many thanks to my paranymphs, Maisam and Francesco for helping out with the preparations towards the defense of this thesis. For a great part of my time at the KVI-CART, I shared office with Francesco. I really enjoyed the discussions and poring over societal problems that often served as a break from the routines of data analysis. Maisam, thanks for everything. I enjoyed spending time with you!
I am deeply grateful to current members, Steven, Justin, Christoph, and former members, Josbert, Joanne, Ola, of the medical physics group, for the group meeting discussions, opportunity to learn about your different projects and helpful feedback on my work. I am also grateful to colleagues, current and former, working at the KVI-CART building, Julia, Brian Jones, Brian Hare, Hans, Harry, Johan Messchendorp, Johan Siebring, Fred, Myroslav, Catherine, Olaf, Nasser, Mushin, Ad, Alex (Never give me cocktails!), Solmaz, Ali Mollaebrahimi, Brankica, Reza, Marcel, Mohammad, Rosa, Viktor and Luisa for the
Acknowledgement
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wonderful discussions, lunch-time conversations and other social events. You have indeed made my stay at the KVI-CART remarkable and filled with many indelible memories.
To my Nigerian brothers and former PhD candidates at the university of Groningen – Emmanuel, Chima, Mustapha, thank you for your support and the many discussions on life, career options and actualizing a better Nigeria. I am glad to see you all pursuing your dreams and I do wish you all the best in your endeavours. The encouragement of my friends Eli and Helen Abeke, Segun, Precious, Donald, Blaise Ugwu, Blaise Nwotchouang, Ikechukwu and members & pastorate of the RCCG Groningen is thankfully appreciated.
Many thanks to my dad, Celestine, for his unrelenting support and encouragement. Special thanks to my siblings, Mercy, Tony, Kachi, Chinwe, and Solomon for their regular checks on my progress.
Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Chioma and son, Zikora for the balance they have brought to my life, their unwavering support and utmost confidence in me. Zikora, you’ve had cause to give up your play time to allow me work; for this, I remain grateful.
