Distinguished Lectureship Award on the Applications of Physics Talk: Career Opportunities from Fundamental Physics to Patient Treatments

Discoveries and technological advances spurred by the demands of fundamental physics research find applications in many disciplines, including providing benefit to society through the treatment and diagnosis of disease. Rather than survey the manifold applications of this topic, a few examples will be presented. With emphasis on the "bench to bedside" implementation of nuclear physics technology, scientific topics ranging from the smaller-scale treatment implementation of fiber-based in-vivo dosimetry to large scale proton radiation therapy treatment to the diagnostic application of breast specific gamma imaging will be presented. In parallel, the variety of physics career options along this path, from fundamental research science on "the bench" to clinically-utilized medical products at "bedside", will be highlighted.