School of Physics and Radiological Sciences Faculty
| Program Directors |
David Phebus II, MS, CMD, RT(T)
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Medical Dosimetry and Radiation Therapy Programs
Education
M.S. Medical Physics – John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences
David has extensive clinical experience in Radiation Therapy, Medical Dosimetry, and Medical Physics. He did his Medical Physics Residency at IU Goshen Health and collaborated as a Medical Dosimetrist with Radiation Oncology Resources (ROR). David is a Board Certified Medical Dosimetrist who has been actively engaged in many specialties to include: SRS, SBRT, VMAT, HDR, and electronic brachytherapy. He has also been a Director of a Radiation Oncology Department where he served as lead Dosimetrist. David holds a BS Degree from Indiana University in Radiation Therapy and a Master of Science in Medical Physics from John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences. He is a member of the AAMD Formal Education Committee and is passionate about teaching and increasing the standards in Medical Dosimetry.
Nadeem Khan, DHA, MS, DABR, FACRO, FAHM, FHIAS, FACMPE
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Medical Health Physics
Education
Doctor of Healthcare Administration – Virginia University of Lynchburg
MS Biomedical Sciences (Medical Physics) – University of Toledo
Honors BSc Cell and Molecular Biology – University of Toronto
Dr. Nadeem Khan is a Chief Medical Physicist for a health system based in Cincinnati, OH. In his current position in addition to clinical duties, Dr. Khan sits on his organization’s Executive Management team and leads several organization initiatives including the Lean Six Sigma team and the RO-APM Bundled payment model. Being a surveyor and Fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), he is very passionate about auditing and believes accreditation is the cornerstone of any radiation oncology center. This aligns well with is work in Radiation Safety.
Dr. Khan holds several business certifications and fellowships. He is a certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP), Specialist Physician Practice Management (CSPPM), and Medical Practice Executive (CMPE), to name a few. His passion lies in global healthcare, health insurance plans, strategic change management, and developing executive leadership. Dr. Khan enjoys engaging in professional development opportunities through giving talks, engaging in presentations, and facilitating workshops in areas including quality assurance implementation, transformative leadership development, and efficient change management.
Dr. James Wheeler, M.D., Ph.D.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR: Medical Dosimetry programs
Education
Ph.D. Physical Chemistry – University of Notre Dame
Internship – University of Kansas School of Medicine
Residency in Radiation Oncology – University of Texas, MD Anderson
Dr. James Wheeler is a board-certified Radiation Oncologist who serves at Goshen Center for Cancer Care. He has experience treating adult patients with various cancer types and uses both state-of-the-art and traditional forms of radiation therapy. He has also held positions as Radiation Oncologist at Methodist Cancer Center in Omaha NE, and at West Michigan Cancer Center in Kalamazoo MI. He has served as an Assistant Professor, Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Dr. Wheeler is very active in the professional community through his committee appointments, cancer research, lectures, abstracts/posters, and publications.
| Faculty |
Wale Ade-Oshifogun, Ed.D., MBA
Education
Ed.D. – National Louis University
MBA – Illinois Institute of Technology
B.A. – Andrews University
Dr. Ade currently serves as Adjunct Faculty for Universities across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. He specializes in Biostatistics for Clinical Data Management, Business Statistics, Project Management, Production Management, Information Systems, Strategic Uses of IT, Data Analysis for Managers, Communication Networks, and Developing and Managing Databases. Prior to joining JPU, Dr. Ade was a Technology Consultant for Calumet School District, Director of Information Systems for Prairie-Hills Elementary School District in Illinois, Chief Financial Officer at T&T Healthcare Services in Matteson, IL, and Co-Founder/Chief Financial & Technology Officer at Regenesis Technology in Matteson, IL.
Christopher Amaloo, MS, CMD
Education
MS – Southern Illinois University
BS – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Christopher Amaloo is a Senior Manager for Clinical Services within Varian Medical Systems, where he is engaged with clinical treatment planning while balancing the management for two dosimetry teams under his supervision. He brings a diverse background to the field of radiation oncology. He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois, earning his BS degree and then served in the Unites States Navy as a Nuclear Power Officer. After Chris earned his MS degree in Medical Dosimetry, he has worked as a dosimetrist for the past 10 years in various clinical settings. Chris is enthusiastic about the future of medical dosimetry and devotes much of his time volunteering. He participates in the AAMD Infinity Task Group which produced the 2020 Workforce Study, as well as the joint AAMD/MDCB DEI Initiative. Chris has presented at both national and regional conferences; and has published several papers regarding the advancement of technology within medical dosimetry. Always patient-forward, Chris organized the survivorship effort at his previous clinic into a celebration that honored cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and community-at-large. Chris sits on the MDCB Board of Directors, and is the 2023-2024 Past President, having volunteered since 2019.
Manuel Arreola, Ph.D., DABR
Education
Ph.D. Medical Physics – University of Florida
Dr. Arreola was born in Mexico City. He obtained a Bachelor’s in Physics from the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana of that city. Dr. Arreola is a graduate of the Ph.D. Medical Physics Program at University of Florida (UF). After 5 years under the mentorship of Dr. Harvey Neiman at the West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, he became Chief of Medical Physics at UF in 1998. Dr. Arreola took over as Director of the UF Medical Physics Program in 2016 and successfully moved that program from the College of Engineering to the College of Medicine. He has directed over 15 doctoral dissertations and over 40 Master’s projects. and expanded the outreach of the Physics Division of the UF Radiology Department to provide compliance services to hospitals in both Gainesville and Jacksonville. Dr. Arreola was appointed Vice-chair of Radiology for Medical Physics Affairs in 2017. Since 2010, he has been collaborating with the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in worldwide training programs for medical physicists and held the Interim position of Head of the Medical Physics Division at the Agency’s headquarters in 2017. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Physics in Medicine and the Society for Directors of Medical Physics Academic Programs. Dr. Arreola has collaborated actively with JPU since 2012.
Liliana Braescu, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D. Mathematics – West University Timisoara
M.S. Modeling in Economy & Applied Science – West University Timisoara
B.S. Mathematics – West University Timisoara
Dr. Liliana Braescu has served as an adjunct professor at JPU in addition to the West University of Timisoara in Romania. She has served as a guest lecturer for the University of Missouri– St. Louis, the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, Science et Ingeniereie des Materiaux et Procededs Laboratory, and L’Universite Paris. Liliana serves as President at Matelligence, Inc. in Montreal, Canada, and is an SPIE Fellow. Dr. Braescu is a co-author of Microcomputer Modeling of Growth Processes of Single–Crystal Sheets and Fibers and has contributed seven chapters to other books. Her research interests are Continuum Modeling and Atomistic Modeling.
Ken Cashon, MS, DABR
Education
MS – University of Kentucky
Ken received his Master of Science in 1996. He has many years of experience as a Medical Physicist. Ken currently serves as the Senior Medical Physicist for Advent Health. Prior experience includes serving as a Medical Physicist for Florida Radiation Oncology, Central Florida Cancer Institute, and .Decimal, Inc. Ken has a wealth of experience in clinical medical physics, instruction, and supervising clinical rotations.
Thomas Costantino, MS, CMD, RT(T)
Education
MS – Radiological Technologies University
B.S. – Boston University
Thomas is a Master’s level dosimetrist with 30+ years of experience. Thomas currently works for Varian Medical Systems in product implementation and new technology development. In addition to his role teaching IMRT and VMAT clinical treatment planning, Thomas continuously strives to gain additional knowledge in the field and share that knowledge. Thomas has given several talks at AAMD meetings and has continuously achieved a top 10% rating on AAMD plan studies since 2009.
Christopher Falconio, MBA, RT(R)(T)(CT)
Education
MBA – University of Southern Indiana
BS – Thomas Edison University
AS – Mercer County Community College
Christopher is a board board certified in Radiography, Computed Tomography, and Radiation Therapy. Prior to his current position as Radiation Oncology Manager for Philadelphia Cancer Treatment. he served as a Radiation Therapist since 2008.
Rebecca Farmer, MSRS, RT(R)(M)
Education
MSRS – Midwestern State University
BS – Northwestern State University
Rebecca Farmer, MSRS, RT (R)(M) has been an educator for 21 years in the allied health and radiologic sciences. She has 20 years of online teaching experience as well as classroom and clinical expertise. Ms. Farmer is married and has 4 young adult children. She has conducted research and published and presented on the national, state and local levels. She loves to fish, hunt, cook, garden, thrift shop and serve in her church.
Hugh Gerard, CMD, RT(R)(T)
Education
B.A. – Indiana University
A.S. – Radiation Therapy
A.S. – Radiography
Hugh currently serves as Director and Dosimetrist at Kosciusko Community Cancer Center. He is also Operations Manager for Infinite Planning Solutions, and teaches new radiation oncology technologies for Advanced Radiotherapy Consulting. Hugh has experience in external beam planning, remote planning, high dose brachytherapy, IMRT, CT/PET fusion, tomotherapy, and adaptive radiation therapy.
Micah Hamanaka, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering – Northwestern University
M.S. – University of Notre Dame
Dr. Hamanaka was a Graduate Student in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. She was also a Student Research Technician at the Complex Movements Laboratory, Department of Neurobiology at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Hamanaka was also a Graduate Student in the Biomaterials in Orthopaedics Lab, Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. Micah holds a Graduate Teaching Certificate from Northwestern University; she was a Student Research Mentor at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and at the University of Notre Dame. She was also a Teaching Assistant at Goshen College and the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Hamanaka authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has received numerous awards and honors from Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, and Goshen College.
Carl Helrich, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D. Physics – Northwestern University
B.S. Engineering Science – Case Institute of Technology
Dr. Helrich’s research has spanned the fields of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Plasma and Nuclear Physics, and Biophysics. He has contributed to the academic communities of the University of Tennessee Space Institute, Bethel College, Goshen College, and John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences. Dr. Helrich has also served as the Acting Director for the Turner Precision X-Ray Laboratory, a research scientist at Kernforshungsanlage Jülich in Jülich, Germany and as a NASA-ASEE Summer Faculty Fellow in Huntsville, Alabama. He has written/edited several books and over 50 publications. Carl is also an accomplished artist.
Brandon Hirsch, MS, CMD, RT(R)(T)(CT)
Education
MS – Southern Illinois University
BS – Southern Illinois University
AAS – Kaskaskia College
AS – John A. Logan College
AA – John A. Logan College
Brandon Hirsh is an Assistant Professor of Radiologic Sciences at Southern Illinois University. Brandon is also an Editorial Review Board member for the ASRT’s Journals in Radiologic Technology and Radiation Therapy. Brandon brings over 10 years of teaching experience and over 13 years of Imaging and Radiation Therapy experience to JPU.
Sireesha Kavipurapu, Ed.D., MS, RT(R)(T)
Education
MS – Western University of Health Sciences
AS – Los Angeles City College
Sireesha Kavipurapu currently serves as the Director for Eisenhower Medical Center’s Radiation Oncology Cancer Center. Prior to that, Dr. Kavi was the Lead Radiation Therapist and Manager for 10 years for Beverly Oncology and Imaging. Dr. Kavi has over 10 years of clinical experience as a Radiation Therapist and 3 years of experience as a Radiologic Technologist in addition to academic experience as both faculty and a Program Director.
Michelle La Borde, MSRS, RT(R)(T)
Education
MS – Northwestern State University
BS – Northwestern State University
Michelle has been in the radiologic technology field for over 15 years. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science from Northwestern State University in 2006, and obtained a certification in radiation therapy from CARTI in 2007. After working as a radiation therapist and taking on the Chief Therapist position, she decided to return to school for her graduate degree to follow her passion for education. Michelle loves being able to share the knowledge she gathered over her years of experience and giving back to those who share in her devotion.
Nichole LaMaster, DC
Education
D.C. – Logan College of Chiropractic
Nichole LaMaster received her Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic and her B.S. in Human Biology from Indiana University. Dr. LaMaster is a Board Certified Doctor of Chiropractic and a member of several professional organizations. Her practice currently includes chiropractic manipulation, nutritional counseling, and therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation.
Waylon Malmay, MSRS, RT(R)(T)
Education
MS – Northwestern State University
BS – Northwestern State University
Waylon earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Northwestern State University. Waylon currently serves as a Lead Radiation Therapist and Clinical Coordinator for Northwestern State University’s Radiography program. In addition to teaching with John Patrick University, Waylon contributes to the academic communities of Northwestern State University and the University of St. Francis.
Brent Murphy, MS, MBA, DABR
Education
M.S. Medical Physics – University of Wisconsin
MBA – Hawaii Pacific University
B.S. Health Physics – Purdue University
Brent Murphy is the founder of John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences (JPU) (formerly Radiological Technologies University) and Advanced Radiotherapy Consulting (ARC) (formerly known as Global Physics Solutions (GPS)).
He founded JPU in 2009 and since that time, JPU’s undergraduate and graduate programs have been serving the demand for highly educated, clinically competent experts. Brent has also served as a Senior Medical Physicist for IU Health Goshen Hospital, a Senior Medical Physicist at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, and a Clinical Therapy Physicist at Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He has also contributed to the academic communities of Hampton University, Hawaii Pacific University, Advanced Radiotherapy Consulting, and JPU.
Claire Skowronski, MS, CMD, RT(R)(T)
Education
MS Ed. – University of Wisconsin Stout
MS – John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences
BS – University of Wisconsin Lacrosse
Claire Skowronski serves as a Clinical Coordinator for the Radiation Therapy and Medical Dosimetry programs at John Patrick University. Claire has 16 years of experience between Radiation Therapy and Medical Dosimetry and extensive experience in both instruction and educational program leadership through her former role as a Radiation Therapy and Medical Dosimetry Program Director. Claire is experienced with programmatic accreditation and curriculum design in the traditional classroom, clinical setting, and online settings. In addition to participating in research, Claire has volunteered as a site visitor for the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and as a Radiation Therapy Curriculum Workgroup member for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
David Trump, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D. Medicinal Chemistry – Purdue University
Dr. David Trump is the Chief Radiochemist for SpectronRx. He focuses on product development, research, and design strategies for radiopharmaceutical development and production. David is very accomplished with working with the FDA and other regulatory agencies. Prior to this position, he served as a Radiochemist for Mayo Clinic where he was actively engaged in the PET program. Dr. Trump has a very impressive academic background having received his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from Purdue University. While at Purdue, he served as a research assistant working on new radiotracer development. Dr. Trump received his BA degree in Chemistry from DePauw University.
Tracy White, MS, RT(R)(T)
Education
MS – Arkansas State University
BS – University of Central Arkansas
Tracy White is the Radiation Therapy Program Director at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. Tracy’s background includes a Bachelor’s of Science in Radiography from the University of Central Arkansas and St. Vincent’s Infirmary Medical Center, a Certificate degree from Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, and a Master’s of Science in Vocational and Technical Education and Administration from Arkansas State University. She is registered in both Radiography and Radiation Therapy.
Tracy’s educational interests include the every changing radiation therapy technologies as well as patient education. She is actively involved in the Arkansas Society of Radiologic Technologists where she has served in every office, the American Society of Radiologic Technologist where she has served on several committees as well as the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology. She has also served on committees for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.