News 2025
Jan. 25: AI-based Segmentation Model for Head and Neck Anatomy
We are pleased to highlight the impact of Alexandra Walter’s research in the field of medical imaging. The achievements of her AI-based segmentation model for head and neck anatomy were published here at the beginning of 2024. In collaboration with Jakob Wasserthal and his team from the University Hospital Basel, the results of her work were made publicly accessible as part of the TotalSegmentator. User statistics show: By January 2025, over 135,000 CT images had been segmented using the head and neck model by more than 3,000 users — with the numbers continuing to rise.
Jan. 25: Project MIRROR is funded by NCT „Spenden gegen Krebs“
This interdisciplinary starter project will explore visualization concepts and feasibility for a "digital patient twin" - a browser-based software tool that allows patients to access all essential information in radiation therapy, such as imaging data, therapeutic dose distributions and medical decisions.
The exploratory short-term project, lead by Dr. Martin Niklas and Dr. Kristina Giske, is an example for the excellent integration of different disciplines of modern healthcare at DKFZ combining radiotherapy, radiology, clinical and computational medical physics, AI applications, as well as IT and software engineering aspects.
More details are available on NCT page and on the website of the research group “Computational Patient Models”.
Jan. 25: Participating at AIM
On January 15th 2025, our division is well represented at AIM (ArbeitsgruppenInspirationsMesse, organized by Fachschaft MathPhysInfo) by several research groups to physics and MINT students in Heidelberg. With us, students get a chance to dive into the fascinating world of medical physics and explore cutting-edge research topics shaping the future of healthcare. Our doctoral students and research group leaders are prepared to share insights, answer questions, and spark ideas for the future generation.
Jan. 25: Christoph Schmelzer Prize for Annika Schlechter
Annika Schlechter, a master’s student of the research group “Novel Detection Techniques for Ion Beams” in the Division of Medical Physics in Radiation Oncology, was awarded the Christoph Schmelzer Prize of the Association for the Promotion of Tumor Therapy with Heavy Ions for her for her outstanding master thesis about “2.5D imaging: Accessing 3D information of a 2D ion-beam radiograph: Accessing 3D information of a 2D ion-beam radiograph)”.
Using an anthropomorphic phantom, Annika Schlechter was the first to experimentally demonstrate that information about the third dimension, i.e. about the depth of potential anatomical changes within the patient, can be extracted from a 2D ion-beam radiograph. She was able to convincingly verify that the accuracy of the depth determination can achieve clinical relevance.
More information about the ceremony is available here.
Jan. 25: PCSM School in Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART)
From December 12 to 14, 2025, the “PCSM School in Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART)” took place in Bankok at our cooperation partner “Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA)”. Prof. Jäkel (Head of our department) and Dr. Fabian Weykamp (Senior Physician of the Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Therapy) took part as invited speakers, together with Prof. Richter from OncoRay in Dresden.
The “PCSM School in Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART)” is another visible component of our successful cooperation with Thailand. Further information on the PCSM School program can be found here.
