Prof. Simon Jolly — Curriculum Vitae

Employment History

Professor of Visceral Physics
University College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2011–present

Leader of the UCL High Energy Physics Proton Beam Therapy group investigating novel detectors and diagnostics for quality assurance and imaging. Member of the AWAKE proton driven plasma wakefield acceleration experiment at CERN; led the development of the electron spectrometer. Consultant accelerator physicist to the UCL and Manchester Christie proton therapy cancer treatment facilities.

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Imperial College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2005–2011

Design and development of beam diagnostics, complete beam dynamics simulations, optimisation of the Low Energy Beam Transport and development of a novel integrated RadioFrequency Quadrupole design for the Front End Test Stand project at RAL.

X-ray R&D Consultant
Hilger Crystals, Margate, Kent, UK 2004–2005

Complete design, software development, commissioning and project management of novel X-ray system to measure and categorise light output and afterglow in scintillator crystals.

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Oxford University, Particle Physics Dept, Oxford, UK 2003

Implementation of MatLIAR accelerator ground motion modelling as part of Oxford final focus stabilisation project (StaFF).

Qualifications

DPhil in Particle and Accelerator Physics
Exeter College, Oxford University, Oxford, UK 1999–2003

“An Intra-Pulse Fast Feedback System for a Future Linear Collider”.
Development of novel X-band beam position monitor and IP fast feedback system at the NLC Test Accelerator.

MPhys in Physics (First Class Hons)
Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middx, UK 1995–1999

MPhys project: “Radiation Damage and Afterglow in CsI(Tl)”.

Current Research

My primary research is split between three main areas: accelerators and diagnostics for hadron therapy; novel accelerators using plasma wakefield acceleration; and high power proton accelerators. I have played a leading role in the following research areas:

Diagnostics for Proton Therapy. I founded the proton therapy research effort within the UCL High Energy Physics group and lead a research project to develop fast Quality Assurance tools for proton therapy range verification based on particle physics detector technology. This project has been supported by a series of STFC innovation grants. I was a member of the Optimisation of Medical Accelerators EU research network: of over 10,000 projects that have been reviewed by the EU Research Councils, OMA is the only one to ever receive 100% approval on review.
Accelerators for Proton Therapy. I am working with University College Hospital (UCLH) and the Christie Hospital in Manchester on the procurement and delivery of the new proton therapy centres. At a combined cost of £250 million, this is the single largest procurement in the history of the NHS. I am one of the two UK accelerator advisors to the NHS proton beam therapy centres. I was appointed as one of 4 international experts to the UK Technical Advisory Group for proton beam therapy. I am the consultant accelerator physicist to UCLH for the PBT facility.
Accelerator Wakefield Experiment (AWAKE). I led the development of the electron spectrometer for the AWAKE proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration experiment at CERN. I was the work package manager for the spectrometer, in charge of the design and experimental integration. Along with Prof. Matthew Wing, the collaboration deputy spokesman, this forms part of the leading contribution to the AWAKE experiment by the UCL HEP group and provided the first experimental measurement of proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration.

Previous Research

The Front End Test Stand (FETS). I led the development of a combined pepperpot/profile 4-D emittance measurement system for FETS, including designing the pepperpot head, building and installing the system at RAL and writing the complete data acquisition and analysis software. I was the acknowledged expert within FETS for beam dynamics simulations, including complete end-to-end simulations of the full FETS beamline. I pioneered a novel design process to integrate the CAD modelling, manufacture, electromagnetic design and beam dynamics simulations of the FETS RFQ. This design work also provided the foundation for the design of the RFQ for the Carbon-6+ injector for the Particle Accelerator for MEdicaL Applications (PAMELA).
X-ray R&D Consultant, Hilger Crystals. I oversaw the complete development of a novel X-ray system for the measurement of light output and afterglow in scintillator crystals. Along with managing the project and associated budget, I designed and built the complete system, including a novel millisecond speed X-ray shutter and PIN-diode based DAQ system, as well as leading the workshop team.
StaFF Experiment, Oxford University. As part of the fledgling StaFF project (that became MONALISA) to provide active stabilisation for a linear collider final focus system, I carried out the first ground motion simulations of the entire ILC linac and final focus, using the MatLIAR package.
Feedback On Nanosecond Timescales, Oxford University. I made significant contributions to the first stage of the FONT project that provided the first proof of principle of the feasibility of a nanosecond timescale fast feedback system at a linear collider interaction point. I developed, built and commissioned the fast beam position monitor electronics, the feedback circuit and the complete software DAQ system.
BaBar Experiment, Brunel University. During the first half of my PhD I designed and built several pieces of test equipment for measuring radiation damage and afterglow in Caesium Iodide crystals for the BaBar electromagnetic calorimeter.
Medical Physicist, Whittington Hospital. I contributed to a project to measure the effects of RF heating within humans inside MRI scanners as part of a degree work placement. My work included thermocouple measurements of a human fat and bone phantom for MRI testing and detailed analysis of RF absorption in human tissue.

External Engagement and Awards

Awarded European Journal of Medical Physics — Physica Medica 2021 Galileo Galilei Prize for best publication in 2020 for paper: S. Jolly et al., “Technical Challenges for FLASH Proton Therapy”, Physica Medica 78, 71-82. doi:10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.08.005
UCL PI for “Optimisation of Medical Accelerators” EU Marie Curie network (led by C. Welsch, Liverpool University). Of over 10,000 grant applications submitted to the EU, OMA is the only one that has ever received a 100% approval rating on review.
Lead organiser for 2018 ENLIGHT conference, hosted by UCL.
UCL representative on ESTRO European Particle Therapy Network, including membership of Working Group 2 (dosimetry and quality assurance).
Expert reviewer for international journals: Radiation Oncology, Frontiers in Oncology, Physics in Medicine and Biology, Medical Physics, Journal of Instrumentation, European Journal of Medical Physics (Physica Medica) and Nuclear Instruments and Methods A.
Expert STFC grant reviewer for IPS, CLASP and Fellowship boards.
One of 4 internationally-appointed experts on UK Proton Beam Therapy Technical Advisory group, providing expert input to design, procurement and commissioning of UK NHS proton beam therapy centres. Wrote a portion of the procurement document, including accelerator specification, for both UCLH and Manchester Christie hospitals. Member of UCLH PBT procurement team. Contributed to design of UCLH PBT centre including initial accelerator beamline and clinical layout.
2 patent applications through UCLBusiness for proton beam therapy QA detectors: first is in final stages of being granted; second has undergone initial filing.
Advisor to industry, including external advisor to Cosylab — including company-wide presentations — on current status and future strategy in proton therapy, medical devices and strategic investment.

UCL Institutional Citizenship

Member of UCL Mac Technical Working Group, advising on and implementing UCL-wide improvements to the Mac ecosystem. This includes regular support for UCL Mac community as a lead contributor to the UCL-wide Mac user discussion and support group.
High energy physics representative on Physics departmental computing steering committee.
Systems administrator for UCL HEP Mac systems, including department-wide technical support for both hardware and software. Administrator of HEP laptop loan pool system.
Web administrator for UCL HEP with responsibility for complete web design — including implementation of bespoke interfaces for group publications, news and seminars — and maintenance.
Co-organiser of UCL Physics PandA public engagement event.

Grant Income

Title: QuADProBe: Quality Assurance Detector for Proton Beam Therapy.
Value: £480,544.
Duration: Mar 2023–Mar 2026.
Staff: PI: S. Jolly; 3 Co-I's: R. Saakyan, R. Radogna, S. Manolopoulos.
Project: Development of a multi purpose quality assurance detector for clinical proton beam therapy. Combines previous research on range calorimeter with novel development of scintillating fibre profile monitor. Our clinical partner is UCLH. Grant is a continuation of research project to adapt detector developed for High Energy Physics purposes to clinical application in proton therapy.
Role: PI with responsibility for overall coordination and clinical implementation.
Funder: STFC (external); funded through Challenge Led Applied Systems Programme (Energy and Healthcare).
Title: Quality Assurance Range Calorimeter For Proton Beam Therapy.
Value: £455,958.
Duration: Dec 2020–Dec 2023.
Staff: PI: S. Jolly; 3 Co-I's: R. Saakyan, R. Radogna, S. Manolopoulos.
Project: Development of a range telescope made of plastic scintillator for fast, accurate range measurements of clinical proton beams. Our industrial partners are UCLH, Cosylab and Nuvia a.s. Grant is a continuation of research project to adapt detector developed for High Energy Physics purposes to clinical application in proton therapy.
Role: PI with responsibility for overall coordination and clinical implementation.
Funder: STFC (external); funded through Innovation Partnership Scheme.
Title: Developing Quality Assurance Tools For Proton Beam Therapy.
Value: £380,566.
Duration: July 2018–Sep 2023.
Staff: PI: S. Jolly; 1 Co-I: R. Saakyan.
Project: STFC RCUK Innovation Fellowship to develop Quality Assurance tools for proton beam therapy. Fellow co-supervised by industrial partner Cosylab. Project intended to strengthen industrial partnership with company responsible for certification of medical devices and delivery of the majority of the world’s proton therapy control systems.
Role: PI with responsibility for project coordination and fellow supervision.
Funder: STFC/RCUK (external); funded through Innovation Partnership Scheme Fellowships.
Title: Water Equivalent Calorimeter For Quality Assurance In Proton Beam Therapy.
Value: £148,936.
Duration: Apr 2017–Mar 2018.
Staff: PI: S. Jolly; 1 Co-I: R. Saakyan.
Project: Continuing development of a detector for range Quality Assurance measurements of clinical proton beams. Our industrial partner is Nuvia a.s. Grant is a continuation of research project to adapt detector developed for High Energy Physics purposes to clinical application in proton therapy.
Role: PI with responsibility for overall coordination and clinical implementation.
Funder: STFC (external); funded through Futures Innovation Partnership Scheme.
Title: Optimisation of Medical Accelerators EU Marie Curie ITN.
Value: £224,853.
Duration: Feb 2016–Jan 2020.
Staff: PI: S. Jolly; 0 Co-I’s.
Project: The Optimisation of Medical Accelerators (OMA) EU network is an international consortium of 30 partner organisations across Europe, including universities, research centres and private companies. UCL is one of the 15 beneficiary partners with an OMA Fellow: we are focussing on the development of proton calorimeter technology for improved Quality Assurance measurements in proton beam therapy. Of over 10,000 bids submitted to the EU Research Councils, OMA is the only one ever to receive a 100% approval upon review.
Role: UCL PI for project and PhD supervisor to OMA Fellow (Laurent Kelleter).
Funder: European Commission Horizon 2020 (external); led by Liverpool University.
Title: PhD Impact Studentship for Proton Calorimetry.
Value: £68,212.
Duration: Oct 2014–Sept 2017.
Staff: PI: S. Jolly; 0 Co-I’s.
Project: In order to support proton therapy research within the group, a UCL Impact PhD studentship was secured with matched funding from the National Physical Laboratory. The student worked on the development of the proton calorimetry system mentioned above.
Role: PI for project and PhD supervisor to student.
Funder: National Physical Laboratories (external); joint funded by UCL Impact studentship scheme.

Conference Talks

S. Escribano-Rodriguez, S. Jolly et al., “FLASH Range QA Measurements with the Quality Assurance Range Calorimeter (QuARC)”, Contributed oral presentation, Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group Annual Conference (PTCOG 61), Madrid, Spain, 10–16 June 2023.
S. Jolly et al., “If You Build It, They Will Come: Technical Requirements for FLASH Systems”, Contributed oral presentation, FLASH Radiotherapy and Particle Therapy Conference (FRPT2022), Barcelona, Spain, 30 November–2 December 2022.
S. Shaikh, S. Jolly et al., “QuARC: A Quality Assurance Range Calorimeter for Proton Therapy”, Contributed oral presentation, Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group Annual Conference (PTCOG 60), Miami, Florida, US, 27 June–2 July 2022.
S. Jolly, S. Shaikh et al., “FLASH Radiotherapy: New Paradigm, New Challenges”, Contributed oral presentation, 15th Pisa Meeting on Advanced Detectors (PM2021), Elba, Italy, 22–28 May 2022.
S. Shaikh, S. Jolly et al., “QuARC: A Quality Assurance Range Calorimeter for Proton Therapy”, FLASH Radiotherapy and Particle Therapy Conference (FRPT2021), Vienna, Austria, 1–3 December 2021.
S. Jolly et al., “Enhancing Particle Therapy Through The Use of Mixed Ion Beams” (THXC02), 12th International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC'21), Campinas, Brasil, 24–28 May 2021.
S. Jolly et al., “Technical Challenges for FLASH Proton Therapy”, OMA International Conference on Medical Accelerators and Particle Therapy, Seville, Spain, 4–6 September 2019.
L. Kelleter, S. Jolly et al., “A Water Equivalent Range Calorimeter for Fast Quality Assurance”, European Network for Light Ion Hadron Therapy (ENLIGHT) Annual Meeting, London, UK, 25–27 June 2018.
L. Kelleter, S. Jolly et al., “The build-up effect in proton therapy”, NPL PPRIG 2017 Proton Therapy Physics Workshop, Teddington, UK, 7–8 December 2017.
S. Jolly, “Accelerator Development for Hadron Therapy”, SPIE Optics+Optoelectronics conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 24–27 April 2017.
S. Jolly et al., “Proton Calorimetry for Range Quality Assurance”, NPL PPRIG 2016 Proton Therapy Physics Workshop, Teddington, UK, 1–2 December 2016.
S. Jolly et al., “Data Acquisition and Error Analysis for Pepperpot Emittance Measurements” (WEOA03), 9th European Workshop on Beam Diagnostics and Instrumentation for Particle Accelerators (DIPAC’09), Basel, Switzerland, 25–27 May 2009.
S. Jolly et al., “Beam Diagnostics for the Front End Test Stand at RAL” (WEO2A01), 8th European Workshop on Beam Diagnostics and Instrumentation for Particle Accelerators (DIPAC’07), Venice, Italy, 20–23 May 2007.
S. Jolly et al., “Latest Results From The FONT Experiment”, Institute of Physics HEPP Annual Conference, Durham, UK, 14–16April 2003.
S. Jolly et al., “FONT Experimental Status”, 9th International Workshop on Linear Colliders (LC'02), SLAC, California, US, 4–8 February 2002.

Teaching Experience

Undergraduate Teaching: UCL 3^rd year undergraduate Java course on object-oriented programming; supervisor for UCL MSci final year Physics project students; supervised undergraduate summer students at UCL and Imperial working on AWAKE, FETS and proton therapy; laboratory demonstrator for UCL 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd year undergraduate labs, Imperial 1^st and 2^nd year undergraduate labs and Brunel University Foundation of Science undergraduate labs; tutorials for Brunel University Foundation of Science undergraduate courses.
Postgraduate Teaching: lecture course on accelerator diagnostics as part of University of London postgraduate lectures, covering destructive and non-destructive diagnostics.
PhD Student Supervision: first supervisor for 6 PhD students within UCL HEP group.

Outreach & Media

“Treating Cancer with Proton Beam Therapy”: talk on proton therapy at Pint of Science festival, London, UK, 9th May 2022. https://pintofscience.co.uk
“Proton Beam Therapy: How the Large Hadron Collider Cures Cancer”: talk at the Royal Institution, London, UK, 12th October 2018. https://youtu.be/8YnQkUWTS64
“Proton Beam Therapy: How the Large Hadron Collider Cures Cancer”: talk at the Cheltenham Science Festival, UK, 10th June 2018. https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science
“In Our Time: The Proton”: BBC Radio 4 programme hosted by Melvyn Bragg, 26th April 2018. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09zt3mr
“How the Large Hadron Collider Cures Cancer”: talk on proton therapy at Pint of Science festival, London, UK, 15th May 2017. https://pintofscience.co.uk
“BBC World News: CERN Linac-4”: interview on BBC World News discussing the installation of CERN’s new Linac-4 injector, 9th May 2017. https://youtu.be/2PLXDP7pK9U
“Treating Cancer with Particle Accelerators”: public lecture for OMA network, Liverpool, UK, 4th April 2017.
“Fundamental Physics: Is It Worth It?”: panel discussion chaired by Jim Al-Khalili, Cheltenham Science Festival, UK, 11th June 2016. https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science
“How the Large Hadron Collider Cures Cancer”: talk on proton therapy at Electromagnetic Wave science festival, London, UK, May 2013.
Stand-up comedy performances for UCL “Bright Club” comedy nights.
Expert physicist for Guerilla Science “Astronomer's Ball” public engagement event, Greenwich, UK, October 2011.

Computer Skills

Expert Apple Mac user: member of UCL Mac Technical Working Group; Mac technical support provided for High Energy Physics group, Physics Dept. and UCL Mac user community.
High Energy Physics group web designer and administrator.
Systems Administrator for UCL HEP accelerator users, covering the setup and maintenance of several Windows, Mac and Linux systems.
Advanced knowledge of Matlab, LabView and Eclipse programming environments.
Expert user of General Particle Tracer particle tracking package, including bespoke Matlab interface code; experience with MAD, DIMAD, MAD-X, BDSIM, LIAR, MatLIAR and Accelerator Toolbox for Matlab accelerator design codes.
Advanced knowledge of Autodesk Inventor CAD software and Comsol Multiphysics FEA simulation package; experience with CST MicroWave Studio EM modelling software.
Highly proficient user of Java and Python, including undergraduate taught courses with these languages.
Extensive experience with various web-design programming languages, including HTML, XHTML, CSS, PHP and Javascript.
Experience with C, C++, Fortran, Visual Basic, Javascript and LaTeX.
Extensive experience with Microsoft Windows, MacOS X and Linux operating systems.
Excellent knowledge of pro design software (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Acrobat, Affinity Designer, Affinity Photo and Readdle PDF Expert) and Apple Pro applications (Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro).

Prof. Simon Jolly Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

Employment History

Professor of Visceral Physics
University College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2011–present

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Imperial College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2005–2011

X-ray R&D Consultant
Hilger Crystals, Margate, Kent, UK 2004–2005

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Oxford University, Particle Physics Dept, Oxford, UK 2003

Qualifications

DPhil in Particle and Accelerator Physics
Exeter College, Oxford University, Oxford, UK 1999–2003

MPhys in Physics (First Class Hons)
Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middx, UK 1995–1999

Current Research

Previous Research

External Engagement and Awards

UCL Institutional Citizenship

Grant Income

Conference Talks

Teaching Experience

Outreach & Media

Computer Skills

External Activities & Achievements

References

Prof. Simon Jolly Curriculum Vitae

Research Interests

Employment History

Professor of Visceral Physics University College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2011–present

Postdoctoral Research Associate Imperial College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2005–2011

X-ray R&D Consultant Hilger Crystals, Margate, Kent, UK 2004–2005

Postdoctoral Research Associate Oxford University, Particle Physics Dept, Oxford, UK 2003

Qualifications

DPhil in Particle and Accelerator Physics Exeter College, Oxford University, Oxford, UK 1999–2003

MPhys in Physics (First Class Hons) Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middx, UK 1995–1999

Current Research

Previous Research

External Engagement and Awards

UCL Institutional Citizenship

Grant Income

Conference Talks

Teaching Experience

Outreach & Media

Computer Skills

External Activities & Achievements

References

Professor of Visceral Physics
University College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2011–present

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Imperial College London, High Energy Physics Group, London, UK 2005–2011

X-ray R&D Consultant
Hilger Crystals, Margate, Kent, UK 2004–2005

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Oxford University, Particle Physics Dept, Oxford, UK 2003

DPhil in Particle and Accelerator Physics
Exeter College, Oxford University, Oxford, UK 1999–2003

MPhys in Physics (First Class Hons)
Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middx, UK 1995–1999