Andrew Wroe

Andrew Wroe

Fulbright Postgraduate Award

Media Profile

“As we move into the new millennia it is important that we understand the effect which radiation has on biological systems. An understanding of these effects is essential in a number of areas including radiation therapy for cancer treatment…and space travel as we attempt to proceed further from Earth for longer periods of time.”

Andrew Wroe is a Science graduate from the University of Wollongong who has achieved First Class Honours specialising in Medical Radiation Physics and is a University Medallist.

Andrew has won a Fulbright Postgraduate Award to conduct research at the Loma Linda University Medical Centre, in collaboration with the Weizmann Institute of Science. The University houses one of the world’s two nanodosimeters, a detector containing low-pressure gas which simulates biological matter. By experimenting with proton radiation on the nanodosimeter and sample DNA, Andrew will be able to measure the effects of radiation on cellular and DNA levels to gain accurate assessments of the biological effects of radiation treatment.

One of the major health risks facing mankind is cancer. Projections estimate that one in three people will suffer from this terrible disease or side effects of its treatment. Better treatments are constantly being sought to reduce the deleterious effects of current cancer treatments. One of the most exciting and promising new treatments is proton therapy.

Proton therapy is a powerful tool against cancer and its accuracy and the precision control of the target and radiation dosage is fuelling growing interest. Unlike existing X-ray based radiotherapy techniques, localised proton therapy allows more specific targeting of radiation to kill the cancer, whilst limiting the damage to adjacent healthy tissue.

Andrew’s research is on the cutting edge of science and medicine. He aims to explore the potential of radiation-using models provide precise dosage treatments to combat cancerous cells and reduce the effect of hazardous radiation on humans.

Apart from the significant advances in proton therapy, Andrew’s research will aid advances in manned space exploration, including future missions to Mars. Humans exploring space are exposed to Solar Particle Radiation and Galactic Cosmic Radiation composed of high-energy protons and heavy ions which cause permanent damage to human DNA.

Using the funds provided by the Fulbright Scholarship, Andrew hopes to make a positive difference to the lives of Australian cancer patients. Outlooks indicate that Proton Therapy could possibly be used in Australia for the treatment of cancer patients within the next three to four years.