Oana Craciunescu, PhD (Radiation Oncology) was featured in a special issue of AAPM Newsletter (September/October 2020, Vol 45, No. 5): WPSC Women’s Professional Subcommittees. During the interview, Dr. Cracuinescu has shared her research and clinical experience at Duke University and Medical Center, the biggest professional challenge of her career and the way she overcome it, the most rewarding experience in her daily work, and gave some insights about involvement with the Duke Medical Physics Graduate Program. Per Dr. Craciunescu: “I have been involved with the MPGP since its inception 15 years ago, initially at the teaching and mentoring level (I mentored 11 MS students and served on over 20 PhD and MS thesis committees), and later at the executive level. I served over four years on the executive Admission Committee, and for the last two years as an elected at-large Medical Physics Administrative Council (MPAC) member. In this capacity I got to understand in depth all the aspects of our program. For my role and contributions over the years I was awarded the “Director’s Award for Exemplary Service” in 2017 and 2019, and the “Excellence in Mentorship” award in 2008 and 2018. I also received the “Excellence in Teaching” Award in 2017 from the Radiation Oncology Residency Program. As you mentioned, just recently I was elected RT Track Director. I applied for this position because I think I can help in taking an already successful RT track and further optimize its structure and curriculum to help our graduates be leaders in research and in the clinics of the future, while also supporting faculty to grow their careers within the MP program. As the first woman in a senior leadership position on MPAC, I look forward to also supporting female students and faculty in their careers and to continue working with local chapters of WAM (Woman and Math) and WiSE (Woman in Science and Engineering) to promote STEM fields to middle and high school female students.”
Read more AAPM Newsletter (September/October 2020, Vol 45, No. 5)
