Rebecca Nutbrown

Rebecca Nutbrown

Lead Consultant - Medical Physics, Nuclear Technologies

Tell us about yourself

I started my career working at BNFL, Warrington, where I briefly worked as a Nuclear Assessor in the Shielding and Criticality department. I then joined the National Physical Laboratory where I worked for over 23 years. Initially, I worked as a scientist in the High Energy and Theory group, spending a number of years supporting the development of the Radiation Dosimetry primary standards and calibration services. I subsequently took over as Group Leader and ran the group for a number of years, leading the development of the scientific and commercial strategy. I then worked in a number of different strategic and leadership roles during which time I established the Centre for Metrology in Medical Physics (MEMPHYS) at NPL to unite and expand all NPL Medical Physics related activities. I left NPL in 2019 to join the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust as the Head of Medical Physics, which includes Radiotherapy Physics, Nuclear Medicine Physics, Radiation Protection, Scientific Computing and the National Coordinating Centre for Physics in Mammography. At this point I also took on a part-time role as Professor of Medical Physics at the University of Surrey. I joined TÜV SÜD in September 2022 as Lead Consultant in Medical Physics. I am also a visiting Professor at the University of Surrey.

Why did you choose to apply to TÜV SÜD?

I applied to TÜV SÜD because I knew a number of people in the team, and I liked the ethos and aims of the group. Also, the role has been tailored to my interests and gives me the ability to do the type of work I enjoy and do best.

Where do you work?

I am home-based with my nearest office being in Fareham, Hampshire.

What are your main areas of expertise?

My main areas of technical expertise are in Monte Carlo modelling, Radiation Dosimetry, Radiotherapy Physics, and in wider Medical Physics. During my career I have worked as a scientist, in operational management with commercial and financial responsibility, as well as in strategic and leadership roles.

What does your role involve?

My role is to set the strategy and establish and grow a Medical Physics capability within TÜV SÜD.

What exciting developments have you seen at TÜV SÜD since you started?

I am excited about the prospect of a more joined up way of working across the different TÜV SÜD business units. There are lots of synergies and ways that we can achieve more by working together.

What future trends do you see developing in your area of work?

Radiotherapy is a treatment technique that is constantly evolving and it’s a very exciting area to work in. At the moment the trend is towards delivering higher doses in fewer treatment fractions, as well as treatment adaptation and greater automation. There is currently a huge disparity in access to Radiotherapy across the globe. There is an increasing recognition that action needs to be taken now to address this, in order to save millions of lives. In the field of Nuclear Medicine there is a growing interest in the use of novel radionuclides for molecular radiotherapy, that is showing great promise. Once these therapies are commissioned by the NHS it is anticipated there will be significantly increased demand for these targeted treatments. Another exciting area is Artificial Intelligence, with many opportunities for it to be used to improve efficiencies in the healthcare sector. It will be important that these new tools are tested and validated to ensure their safe and effective implementation.

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge will be deciding which opportunities to focus on.

What do you see as the top perk of working for TÜV SÜD?

My colleagues.

How have TÜV SÜD supported you?

By taking the time to help shape my role and supporting me in setting a strategy for Medical Physics.

Describe your fellow workers in five words

Dedicated, interested, helpful, caring and supportive.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of applying for a role similar to yours?

I would have no hesitation in recommending them to take the opportunity.

ADDITIONAL INFO

Papers, research, work published in industry publications, patents, etc.

Selected Publications:

Radiotherapy reference dose audit in the United Kingdom by the National Physical Laboratory: 20 years of consistency and improvements by Thomas, RAS; Bolt, M; Bass, G; Nutbrown, R; Chen, T; Nisbet, A; Clark, C; Physics & Imaging in Radiation Oncology 3 21-27, 2017

Source geometry factors for HDR 192Ir brachytherapy secondary standard well-type ionization chamber calibrations by Shipley, DR; Sander, T; Nutbrown RF; Physics in Medicine & Biology, 60 2573, 2015

A multi-institutional dosimetry audit of rotational intensity-modulated radiotherapy by Clark, CH; Hussein, M; Tsang, Y; Thomas, R; Wilkinson, D; Bass, G; Snaith, J; Gouldstone, C; Bolton, S; Nutbrown, R; Venables, K; Nisbet, A; Radiotherapy & Oncology 113 272-278, 2014

The IPEM code of practice for determination of the reference air kerma rate for HDR Ir-192 brachytherapy sources based on the NPL air kerma standard by Bidmead, AM; Sander, T; Locks, SM; Lee, CD; Aird, EGA; Nutbrown, RF; Flynn, A; Physics in Medicine & Biology, 55 3145-3159, 2010

Evaluation of factors to convert absorbed dose calibrations from graphite to water for the NPL high-energy photon calibration service by Nutbrown, R; Duane, S; Shipley, DR; Thomas, RAS; Physics in Medicine & Biology 47 441-454 2002

Do you sit on any standardisation committees or any other relevant industry committees?

Member of the NPL Metrology for Medical Physics (MEMPHYS) Advisory Board

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR NUCLEAR MEDICINE SERVICES

Visit our nuclear medicine services pages.