Associate Professor Tony Hooker
Associate Professor
School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
I am a radiation biologist with expertise spanning biology, physics, chemistry, and geology. Recognized globally, I consult for prestigious organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and serve as the Australian representative for the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and Low-Dose Research Coordination Group. I contribute expertise to national and international radiation committees and provide invaluable radiation health advice to governments, industries, and the public. My extensive experience includes serving as an expert witness for inquiries such as the SA Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission and the NFCRC Consultation and Response Agency. I have been collaborating with universities worldwide and have secured numerous competitive grants, including from ARC, Defence, and industry sources. After over a decade of experience in low-dose radiobiology, I returned to academia leading the Centre for Radiation Research, Education, and Innovation (CRREI) at the University of Adelaide since 2019.
A/Prof Tony Hooker is a radiation biologist with research interests in the mechanisms of radiation induced damage. Tony returned to academia in Oct 2019 as the inaugural Director of the Centre for Radiation Research, Education, and Innovation at the University of Adelaide after 12 years as the Principal Radiation Health Advisor for the SA govt. During this time in govt. Tony managed a team of people involved in the regulation of all aspects of radiation from medicine, mining and mineral processing, industry, and science. He developed and implemented legislation and was coordinator of the SA radiation emergency and response team.
Tony is a Fellow and Past President of the Australasian Radiation Protection Society and Member of the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine. He has worked in the field of low dose radiobiology since 1996, and prior to working for the public sector was CI on grants such as the US Department of Energy Low Dose Radiation Research Program. Whilst working full time for govt. Since 2015, Tony has, and currently, been a CI on research grants, including ARC, Defence, international collaborative and industry grants totalling more than $30M. His research and work in radiobiology, health effects, as well as risk communication is internationally and nationally recognised.
Tony has been invited/nominated to sit on international and national radiation committees such as the National Radiation Health Committee, the Australian and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee CBRN Training Advisory Group and the SA CBRN Emergency Management Committee. He is a consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Pacific Island Forum and is the Australian representative OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Low-Dose Research Coordination Group. Tony provides radiation health advice and radiation risk assessment to the Federal and State govt., industry and the public, and was an expert witness to the SA Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission and the NFCRC Consultation and Response Agency.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2023 - ongoing Consultant Education and Innovation Radiation Safety Users Group Meeting 2022 - ongoing Radiation Health Consultant Alligator Energy 2021 - ongoing Expert radiation consultant the Pacific Island Forum 2019 - ongoing Associate Professor/Director University of Adelaide 2002 - ongoing Assoc. Professor Flinders University -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2016 Fellowship Fellow, Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australia nil -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2002 Flinders University, Adelaide Australia PhD 1995 Flinders University, Adelaide Australia B.Biotech (Hons) -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country SA Radiation Licence to use and or handle radioactive substances and to operate radiation apparatus (with conditions) University of Adelaide Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2021 Ram, R., Owen, N. D., Kalnins, C., Cook, N. J., Ehrig, K., Etschmann, B., . . . Brugger, J. (2021). Understanding the mobility and retention of uranium and its daughter products. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 410, 124553-1-124553-15.
Scopus15 WoS10 Europe PMC22021 Mcevoy, J., Jones, D. E., Stoa, L., Dixon, D., Tai, T. C., Hooker, A., . . . Wilson, J. Y. (2021). Unchanged cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes in healthy C57Bl/6 mice after in utero exposure to ionizing radiation.. Int J Radiat Biol, 97(2), 131-138.
Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC12021 McEvoy-May, J. H., Bihari, S., Hooker, A. M., & Dixon, D. L. (2021). A retrospective audit of cumulative ionising radiation levels in hospitalised pregnant patients. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 61(5), 700-707.
Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC12021 Puukila, S., Tharmalingam, S., Al-Khayyat, W., Peterson, J., Hooker, A. M., Muise, S., . . . Dixon, D. -L. (2021). Transcriptomic Response in the Spleen after Whole-Body Low-Dose X-Ray Irradiation.. Radiation research, 196(1), 66-73.
Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC22020 Puukila, S., Haigh, P., Johnston, A., Boreham, D. R., Hooker, A. M., & Dixon, D. L. (2020). A radon chamber specifically designed for environmentally relevant exposures of small animals. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 220-221, 8 pages.
Scopus12019 Puukila, S., Muise, S., McEvoy, J., Bouchier, T., Hooker, A. M., Boreham, D. R., . . . Dixon, D. L. (2019). Acute pulmonary and splenic response in an in vivo model of whole-body low-dose X-radiation exposure. International Journal of Radiation Biology, 95(8), 1072-1084.
Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC52019 McEvoy, J. H., Bihari, S., Hooker, A. M., & Dixon, D. L. (2019). Cumulative radiation in critically ill patients: a retrospective audit of ionising radiation exposure in an intensive care unit. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 21(3), 212-219.
Scopus6 WoS4 Europe PMC32018 Thome, C., Chambers, D. B., Hooker, A. M., Thompson, J. W., & Boreham, D. R. (2018). Deterministic Effects to the Lens of the Eye Following Ionizing Radiation Exposure: Is There Evidence to Support a Reduction in Threshold Dose?. Health Physics, 114(3), 328-343.
Scopus53 WoS31 Europe PMC232016 Li, K., Etschmann, B., Rae, N., Reith, F., Ryan, C., Kirkham, R., . . . Brugger, J. (2016). Ore petrography using megapixel X-ray imaging: rapid insights into element distribution and mobilization in complex Pt and U-Ge-Cu ores. Economic Geology, 111(2), 487-501.
Scopus34 WoS312015 Li, K., Pring, A., Etschmann, B., Macmillan, E., Ngothai, Y., O'Neill, B., . . . Brugger, J. (2015). Uranium scavenging during mineral replacement reactions. American Mineralogist, 100(8-9), 1728-1735.
Scopus24 WoS212011 Hooker, A. M. (2011). Radiation and risk: Is it time for a regulatory threshold dose?. Australasian Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine, 34(3), 299-301.
2009 Hooker, A. M., Grdina, D. J., Murley, J. S., Blyth, B. J., Ormsby, R. J., Bezak, E., . . . Sykes, P. J. (2009). Low doses of amifostine protect from chromosomal inversions in spleen in vivo when administered after an occupationally relevant X-radiation dose. International Journal of Low Radiation, 6(1), 43-56.
Scopus32007 Day, T. K., Zeng, G., Hooker, A. M., Bhat, M., Turner, D. R., & Sykes, P. J. (2007). Extremely low doses of X-radiation can induce adaptive responses in mouse prostate.. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society, 5(4), 315-322.
Europe PMC132007 Day, T. K., Hooker, A. M., Zeng, G., & Sykes, P. J. (2007). Low dose X-radiation adaptive response in spleen and prostate of Atm knockout heterozygous mice. International Journal of Radiation Biology, 83(8), 523-534.
Scopus20 WoS19 Europe PMC162007 Day, T., Zeng, G., Hooker, A., Bhat, M., Scott, B., Turner, D., & Sykes, P. (2007). Adaptive response for chromosomal inversions in pKZ1 mouse prostate induced by low doses of X radiation delivered after a high dose. Radiation Research, 167(6), 682-692.
Scopus55 WoS51 Europe PMC392006 Sykes, P., Day, T., Swinburne, S., Lane, J., Morley, A., Hooker, A., & Bhat, M. (2006). In vivo mutagenic effect of very low dose radiation. Dose-Reponse, 4(4), 309-316.
Europe PMC162006 Day, T., Zeng, G., Hooker, A., Bhat, M., Scott, B., Turner, D., & Sykes, P. (2006). Extremely low priming doses of x radiation induce an adaptive response for chromosomal inversions in pKZ1 mouse prostate. Radiation Research, 166(5), 757-766.
Scopus50 WoS46 Europe PMC382006 Zeng, G., Day, T., Hooker, A., Blyth, B., Bhat, M., Tilley, W., & Sykes, P. (2006). Non-linear chromosomal inversion response in prostate after low dose X-radiation exposure. Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 602(1-2), 65-73.
Scopus42 WoS35 Europe PMC322006 Sykes, P. J., Morley, A. A., & Hooker, A. M. (2006). The PKZ1 Recombination Mutation Assay: A Sensitive Assay for Low Dose Studies. Dose-Response, 4(2).
2006 Environmental Mutagen Society 37th Annual Meeting (2006). Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 47(6), 391-399.
2005 9th International Conference on Environmental Mutagens Abstracts (2005). Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 577, e1-e256.
2004 Environmental Mutagen Society 35<sup>th</sup> Annual Meeting, October 2–6, 2004, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Program Chair: Leona D. Samson, Ph.D. (2004). Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 44(3), 186-203.
2004 Hooker, A., Morley, A., Tilley, W., & Sykes, P. (2004). Cancer-associated genes can affect somatic intrachromosomal recombination early in carcinogenesis. Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 550(1-2), 1-10.
Scopus11 WoS9 Europe PMC92004 Hooker, A. M., Bhat, M., Day, T. K., Lane, J. M., Swinburne, S. J., Morley, A. A., & Sykes, P. J. (2004). The linear no-threshold model does not hold for low-dose ionizing radiation. Radiation Research, 162(4), 447-452.
Scopus100 WoS89 Europe PMC722002 Hooker, A. M., Home, R., Morley, A. A., & Sykes, P. J. (2002). Erratum: Dose-dependent increase or decrease of somatic intrachromosomal recombination produced by etoposide (Mutation Research (2002) 500 (117-124) PII: S0027510702000076). Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 505(1-2), 95.
2002 Hooker, A. M., Home, R., Morley, A. A., & Sykes, P. J. (2002). Dose-dependent increase or decrease of somatic intrachromosomal recombination produced by etoposide. Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 500(1-2), 117-124.
Scopus23 WoS18 Europe PMC182002 hooker, A. M., Morley, A. A., & Sykes, P. J. (2002). Different doses of etoposide increase or decrease somatic intrachromosomal recombination in spleen of the pKZ1 mouse mutagenesis model. Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 500, 117-124. 2001 Sykes, P., McCallum, B., Bangay, M., Hooker, A., & Morley, A. (2001). Effect of exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation on intrachromosomal recombination in pKZ1 mice. Radiation Research, 156(5), 495-502.
Scopus44 WoS31 Europe PMC222001 Environmental Mutagen Society Thirty-Second Annual Meeting, March 16-21, 2001, San Diego, CA. David M. DeMarini, Program Chair (2001). Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 37(S32), 19-34.
2001 Environmental Mutagen Society Thirty-Second Annual Meeting, March 16-21, 2001, San Diego, CA. David M. DeMarini, Program Chair (2001). Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 37(S32), 35-50.
1999 Sykes, P. J., Hooker, A. M., & Morley, A. A. (1999). Inversion due to intrachromosomal recombination produced by carcinogens in a transgenic mouse model. Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 427(1), 1-9.
Scopus24 WoS21 Europe PMC181998 Sykes, P. J., Hooker, A. M., Harrington, C. S., Jacobs, A. K., Kingsbury, L., & Morley, A. A. (1998). Induction of somatic intrachromosomal recombination inversion events by cyclophosphamide in a transgenic mouse model. Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 397(2), 209-219.
Scopus26 WoS20 Europe PMC221997 Sykes, P. J., Hooker, A. M., Harrington, C. S., Jacobs, A. K., Kingsbury, L., & Morley, A. A. (1997). P XV.24 Induction of somatic intrachromosomal recombination inversion events by cyclophosphamide in a transgenic mouse model. Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 379(1), S152.
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2024 Doughney, T., Gillam, J., Kalnins, C., Hooker, A. M., Marinaro, D., Damas, D., . . . Spooner, N. A. (2024). GEANT4 Surface Model for Background Radiation in Complex Environments. In 2022 IEEE NSS/MIC RTSD - IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference and Room Temperature Semiconductor Detector Conference Vol. 784 (pp. 1-2). Italy: IEEE.
DOI2018 McEvoy, J., Jones, D., Stoa, L., Hooker, A., Boreham, D., Dixon, D., & Wilson, J. (2018). Maternal Radiation Exposure: Does It Alter the Long-Term Development of the Pup's Respiratory System. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Vol. 197 (pp. 1 page). San Diego, CA: AMER THORACIC SOC. 2018 Puukila, S., Muise, S., McEvoy, J., Bouchier, T., Hooker, A., Boreham, D., & Dixon, D. (2018). Oxidative Stress and Cell Death in Whole Body Low Dose X-Radiation Exposure in an In Vivo Model. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Vol. 197 (pp. 1 page). San Diego, CA: AMER THORACIC SOC. 2006 Hooker, A. M., Day, T. K., Grdina, D. J., Bhat, M., & Sykes, P. J. (2006). Amifostine reduces chromosomal inversions in pKZ1 spleen post X-irradiation.. In ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS Vol. 47 (pp. 429). Vancouver, CANADA: WILEY-LISS. 2004 Sykes, P., Day, T., Swinburne, S., Lane, J., Bhat, M., Morley, A., & Hooker, A. (2004). In vivo mutagenic effect of VERY low dose radiation. In Abstracts of the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference (pp. 19). -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2019 McEvoy, J., Sreetharan, S., Stoa, L., Dixon, D., Tai, T. C., Hooker, A. M., . . . Wilson, J. (2019). In Utero Exposure to Ionizing Radiation and the Respiratory Response to an Acute Lung Injury Stimulus at Adolescence. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE. Dallas, TX: AMER THORACIC SOC.
GRANTS RECEIVED (Total = $15,960,969)
2023 Dasgupta, M, Bezak, E, Spooner, N.A, Hooker, A.M. et al. Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre – Rad Innovate. ($5M).
2023 Thome, C., Boreham D.R., Lees, S.J., Tai, T.C., Tharmalingam, S. (PI’s Hooker, A.M, Dixon., D.L.) Investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of exposure to natural radiation sources for informed risk assessment. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (CA$1M).
2022 Lee, P., Lee, J-Y., Hutchinson, M., Hooker, A.M., Parker, T., Jaatinen, E., Sciacca, L., Peynot, T., Goldy, E., Kerr, G. Centre for Advanced Defence Research and Enterprise - Operating in CBRN Environments (CADRE OCE). $5,495,291.
2022 Hooker, A.M. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) CRREI Collaborative Research Grant. $1,726,000.
2022 Edwards, S., Spooner, N., Hooker A.M., Obreschkow. D., Stewart, A., Chan, Y., Zhang, D., Zhang, X., Spencer, I. Development of the GenX Betavoltaic Battery Pilot Manufacturing Process. Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Program Round 12 $2,427,689
2022 Vaishnavi A, McMahon M, Dixon DL, Hooker AM. Lung Cancer Research Foundation, USA. Elucidating the Molecular Mechanisms of Radon-Induced Lung Cancer through a Novel Mouse Model. $211,989
2021 Hooker A.M. ARPANSA partnership with the Centre for Radiation Research, Education and Innovation, The University of Adelaide. $50,000.
2020 Hooker A.M. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) establishment fee for Centre for Radiation Research, Education and Innovation, The University of Adelaide. $150,000
2020 Hooker A.M., and Spooner, N. CSIRO-CRREI industry PhD Scholarships. $150,000. Centre for Radiation Research, Education and Innovation, The University of Adelaide.
2016 Dixon DL, Boreham D, Hooker A.M. Investigation of the Immunological Mechanisms of Ultra-Low and Low Dose Radiation. $536,000. Collaborative research program between the Northern Ontario School of medicine (Ontario, Canada), Bruce Power (Ontario, Canada) and Flinders University, South Australia.
2014 Grano, S.R., Pring, A.O., Hooker, A.M., Spooner, N.A., D.J., Ngothai, Y.M., Ashman, P.J., Ebendorff-Heidepriem, H., Brugger, J., Wilson, S.A., Hayes, P.C., Peng, Y., Vaughan, J.W., Jak, E., Ehrig, K.J., Simons, S.J. ARC Research Hub for the Australian Copper-Uranium. $5,053,234
2007 Hooker, A.M. and Sykes, P.J. The use of whole body low dose X-radiation to reduce tumorigenicity in a murine prostate model. Flinders University Seeding Grant. $21,012.
2007 Hooker, A.M. and Sykes, P.J. Protection from chromosomal inversions by chemical radioprotectors. Flinders Medical Centre Foundation. $11,000.
2007 Hooker, A.M. Cancer Council of SA Travel Grant. $2,750.
2006 Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. The measurement of genetic damage (DNA inversions) in response to radiation. Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE). $41,000.
2006 Hooker, A.M. Cancer Council of SA Travel Grant. $2,750.
2005 Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. Effect of low dose-rate radiation on somatic intrachromosomal recombination. Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE). $24,100.
2005 Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. Mechanism for non-linear mutation dose response to low dose and ultra-low doses of LET radiation. US Department of Energy. US$ 1,050,000.
2005 Hooker. A.M and Sykes, P.J. Treatment of pKZ1 mice with radioprotectors. Flinders Medical Centre Foundation. $10,000.
2005 Bryan, D-L. and Hooker, A.M. Breathing in chronic Heart failure: Is there novel pulmonary compensation? Flinders Institute for Health and Medical Research CRG. $3,000.
2003 Hooker, A.M. Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Young Investigator Travel Award. $500 + return airfare to Brisbane.
2003 Hooker, A.M. Cancer Council of SA Travel Grant. $2,000.
2001 Hooker, A.M. Anti-Cancer Foundation of SA Travel Grant. $225.
1999 Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. The role of somatic intrachromosomal recombination in mutation and cancer in a transgenic mouse model. Flinders University Research Budget. $2,250.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2025 Principal Supervisor Environmental radiation exposure of non-human biota from uranium mine rehabilitation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lillian Furlonger 2023 Co-Supervisor Plastic scintillator design and optimisation for UAV borne gamma radiation surveys Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Aithan Roufos 2023 Co-Supervisor Quantification of radionuclide geo-sequestration in minerals surrounding nuclear waste storage facilities Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jason Alexander Charlwood 2021 Co-Supervisor Drone borne Gamma radiation detection for stand-off high resolution surveying of radionuclide concentrations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Timothy Doughney -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2011 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Scavenging of Uranium in Experimental and Natural Samples Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Kan Li
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2021 - ongoing Member Advisory Group, Operating in CBRN Environments STaR Shot program Defence Science and Technology Group Australia 2019 - ongoing Member ACPSEM Radiation Protection Specialty Group Leadership ACPSEM Radiation Australia 2018 - 2019 Representative SA Jurisdictional representative, Australian National Radiation Health Committee Australian National Radiation Health Committee Australia 2015 - 2019 Member Australian and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) CBRNe Training Advisory Group Australian and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) Australia 2015 - ongoing Member ANZCTC CBRNe Training Advisory Group Attorney Generals Department Australia 2015 - 2017 President Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australia 2014 - ongoing Representative Australian representative (1 of 4) International Radiation Protection Association Australia 2014 - 2018 Member IRPA 14 International Congress Program Committee, IRPA 14 Cape Town South Africa 2013 - ongoing Member Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association Australia 2013 - ongoing Member International Academic Advisors, Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association International Academic Advisors, Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association Australia 2013 - 2015 President Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australia 2013 - 2015 President Australasian Radiation Protection Society - - 2013 - ongoing Representative Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association - Australia 2013 - ongoing Member International Academic Advisors, Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association - - 2009 - ongoing Advisory Board Member State (SA) CBRN Emergency Management Committee - Australia 2009 - ongoing Advisory Board Member State (SA) CBRN Emergency Management Scientific and Training Committee - - 2006 - ongoing Member Australasian Radiation Protection Society - Australia -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2020 - ongoing Member South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Australia 2015 - ongoing Member Radiation Research Society United States 2011 - ongoing Member Australasian College of Physcial Scientists and Engineers in Medicine - 2006 - ongoing Member Australasian Radiation Protection Society - -
Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice
Date Title Type Institution Country 2019 - ongoing Journal of Radiation Protection and Research Editorial Editorial Board Member - 2002 - ongoing Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine Peer Review Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine - 2002 - ongoing Radiation Protection in Australasia Peer Review Radiation Protection in Australasia - 2002 - ongoing International Journal of Radiation Biology Peer Review International Journal of Radiation Biology - 2002 - ongoing European Journal of Medical Physics Peer Review European Journal of Medical Physics -
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