PhD Colloquium: Vincenzo Patera (U. di Roma "La Sapienza")

The intersection between Nuclear and Particle Physics and Medical Diagnosis and Therapy represents one of the most significant areas of innovation in applied science. While often unseen by the patient, technology based on nuclear phenomena is a crucial component of modern medicine.
This seminar will explore the essential and dynamic role of nuclear physics within the hospital environment. We will address fundamental questions that connect basic research to clinical applications: In what ways do radiations emitted by unstable nuclei facilitate the diagnosis of complex pathologies? What is the function of antimatter in modern imaging methods (such as PET)? How can nuclear decays and the use of heavy ion beams (hadron therapy) be engineered for the targeted treatment of tumors, improving therapeutic efficacy while reducing damage to healthy tissues?
The colloquium aims to unveil this scientific connection, often overlooked, between the world of fundamental physics research and the clinical infrastructure, tracing a path from the accelerator laboratory to the delivery of advanced therapies in oncological treatment centres.