Paola E. Alvarez, M.S.
Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology - Clinical
Research Interests
CA180803 Followill (PI-MDACC) 3/1/2014-2/28/2019
American College of Radiology
Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) Group
The goal of this project is to assure that the radiation dose to protocol patients is clinically comparable for all patients placed on all cooperative clinical trial protocols and is within the guidelines of the treatment protocol.
Role: Co Investigator
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1997 | Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, ARG, BS/MS, Science |
Postgraduate Training
| 2004-2004 | Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: Principles and Practices, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2000-2000 | Introduction to Radiotherapy Physics: Principles and Calibration, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2000-2000 | External Beam Dosimetry: Basic Methods and Calculations, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2000-2000 | Quality Assurance Program in Radiotherapy and Diagnostic Radiology, Radiological Physics Center, Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 1998-1998 | Regional Course of Dosimetry and Treatment Planning in Radiotherapy, International Atomic Energy Agency / Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares Mexico / Atomic Energy Agency / Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares Mexico / Instituto Nacional de Cancerología,, Buenos Aires |
| 1997-1997 | Physics in Radiotherapy, Comisión Nacional de Energia Atómica Argentina, Buenos Aires |
| 1997-1997 | Dosimetry in Radiotherapy, Comisión Nacional de Energia Atómica Argentina, Buenos Aires |
| 1997-1997 | Internship/Residency in Dosimetry and Physics in Radiotherapy, Hospital de Oncologia Maria Curie CNEA, Buenos Aires |
Board Certifications
| 2015 | The American Board of Radiology |
Experience & Service
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Member, TG-191 AAPM Recommendations on the Clinical Use of Luminescent Dosimeters, College Park, MD, 2009 - Present
Member, TG-178 Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery Dosimetry and Quality Assurance, College Park, MD, 2008 - Present
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Kerns JR, Followill DS, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Taylor PA, Kry SF. Agreement between institutional measurements and treatment planning system calculations for basic dosimetric parameters as measured by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core-Houston. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 95(5):1527-1534, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27315667.
- Taylor PA, Kry SF, Alvarez P, Keith T, Lujano C, Hernandez N, Followill DS. Results from the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston's anthropomorphic phantoms used for proton therapy clinical trial credentialing. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 95(1):242-248, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27084644.
- Kerns JR, Followill DS, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Taylor PA, Stingo FC, Kry SF. Technical report: Reference photon dosimetry data for Varian accelerators based on IROC-Houston site visit data. Med Phys 43(5):2374, 2016. PMID: 27147349.
- Drzymala RE, Alvarez PE, Bednarz G, Bourland JD, DeWerd LA, Ma L, Meltsner SG, Neyman G, Novotny J Jr., Petti PL, Rivard MJ, Shiu A S, Goetsch SJ. A round-robin gamma stereotactic radiosurgery dosimetry interinstitution comparison of calibration protocols. Med Phys 42(11):6745-6756, 2015. PMID: 26520764.
- Scarboro SB, Cody D, Alvarez P, Followill D, Court L, Stingo FC, Zhang D, McNitt-Gray M, Kry SF. Characterization of the nanoDot OSLD dosimeter in CT. Med Phys 42(4):1797-807, 2015. PMID: 25832070.
- Kry SF, Molineu A, Kerns JR, Faught AM, Huang JY, Pulliam KB, Tonigan J, Alvarez P, Stingo F, Followill DS. Institutional patient-specific IMRT QA does not predict unacceptable plan delivery. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 90(5):1195-1201, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25442044.
- Followill DS, Kry SF, Qin L, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Aguirre JF, Ibbott GS. The Radiological Physics Center's standard dataset for small field size output factors. J Appl Clin Med Phys 13(5):3962, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22955664.
- Vinogradskiy YY, Balter P, Followill DS, Alvarez PE, White RA, Starkschall G. Comparing the accuracy of four-dimensional photon dose calculations with three-dimensional calculations using moving and deforming phantoms. Med Phys 36(11):5000-5006, 2009. PMID: 19994509.
- Vinogradskiy YY, Balter P, Followill DS, Alvarez PE, White RA, Starkschall G. Verification of four-dimensional photon dose calculations. Med Phys 36(8):3438-47, 2009. PMID: 19746777.
- Ibbott GS, Followill DS, Molineu HA, Lowenstein JR, Alvarez PE, Roll JE. Challenges in credentialing institutions and participants in advanced technology multi-institutional clinical trials. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 71(1):S71-S75, 2008. PMID: 18406942.
Abstracts
- Lee P, Alvarez P, Taylor P, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Kry S, Followill DS. An analysis of TG-51 electron beam calibration correction factor uncertainty. Med Phys 42(6):3353-3354, 2015.
- Molineu A, Hernandez N, Alvarez P, Followill DS. Results from multi-institutional measurements with an anthropomorphic spine phantom. Med Phys 42(6):3628, 2015.
- Alvarez P, Molineu A, Lujano C, Nguyen T Followill DS. An evaluation of multiple irradiations of the IROC Houston QA Center anthropomorphic liver phantom. Med Phys 42:3355, 2015.
- Kry S, Dromgoole L, Alvarez P, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Taylor P, Followill DS. IROC Houston On-Site Audits and Parameters That Affect Performance. Med Phys 42:3692, 2015.
- Kry S, Dromgoole L, Alvarez P, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Taylor P, Followill DS. Common errors and deficiencies in radiation oncology practice. Med Phys 42:3691, 2015.
- Drzymala R, Alvarez P, Bednarz G, Bourland J, DeWerd L, Ma L, Meltsner S, Neyman G, Novotny J, Petti P, Rivard M, Shiu A, Goetsch S. A round robin dosimetry intercomparison of gamma stereotactic radiosurgery calibration protocols. Med Phys 42(11):6745-6756, 2015.
- Alvarez P, Molineu A, Hernandez N, Hall F, Followill D, Ibbott G. A comparison of heterogeneity correction algorithms. Med Phys 35(6):2888, 2008.
- Molineu A, Lowenstein J, Hernandez N, Alvarez P, Followill D, Ibbott G. Has IMRT delivery improved in the last 5 years?. Med Phys 35(6):2762, 2008.
- Followill D, Molineu A, Lowenstein J, Alvarez P, Aguirre F. Quality audits of the calibration of TG-51 non-compliant beams by the Radiological Physics Center. Med Phys 35(6):2774, 2008.
- Alvarez P, Molineu A, Hernandez N, Followill D, Ibbott G. A comparison of heterogeneity correction algorithms within a lung PTV. Med Phys 34(6):2521, 2007.
- Alvarez P, Molineu A, Hernandez N, Followill D, Ibbott G. Analysis of multiple irradiations of an anthropomorphic thorax phantom containing lung heterogeneities. ASTRO, 2006.
- Alvarez P, Molineu A, Hernandez N, Followill D, Ibbott G. Evaluation of heterogeneity corrections algorithms through the irradiation of a lung phantom. Med Phys 33:2214, 2006.
- Followill D, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Ibbott G. The state of radiotherapy physics through the eyes of a quality auditor. Med Phys 33:2283, 2006.
- Alvarez P, Hernandez N, Followill D, Tailor R, Ibbott G. Characterization of EBT versus MD55 Gafchromic films for relative dosimetry measurements. Med Phys 33:2217, 2006.
- Alvarez P, Molineu A, Hernandez N, Followill D, Ibbott G. Evaluation of doses delivered by SBRT to the lung of an anthropomorphic thorax phantom. Med Phys 32:2043, 2005.
- Molineu A, Hernandez N, Alvarez P, Followill D, Ibbott G. IMRT head and neck phantom irradiations: Correlation of results with institution size. Med Phys 32:1983-1984, 2005.
- Alvarez P, Molineu A, Hernandez N, Followill D, Balter P, Hanson W, Ibbott G. Anthropomorphic phantoms for quality assurance in radiation therapy. Med Phys 31:1732, 2004.
- Molineu A, Alvarez P, Hernandez N, Followill D, Ibbott G. Evaluation of 60 IMRT irradiations of an anthropomorphic H&N phantom. Med Phys 31:1822, 2004.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Radiological Physics Center |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | The Aids Malignancy Clinical Trials Consortium (AMC) Protocol #081: Pilot Study of Safety, Toxicity and Compliance of Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy for HIV-Associated Locally-Advanced Cervical Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) Group |
| Funding Source: | American College of Radiology |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 13, 2022