Chiara de Lucia Memorial Fund
To commemorate Chiara’s life as a friend, colleague and scientist, the Chiara De Lucia Memorial Fund was established by the University of Surrey together with Chiara’s family to allow other researchers to continue her important work in FLASH Proton Therapy cancer studies.
About Chiara De Lucia
After earning her master’s degree in Nuclear Physics at the University of Bologna, Chiara started her PhD studentship at the University of Surrey in October 2019 working in the cancer treatment field of scientific research. Specifically, she was developing methodologies in FLASH proton therapy, an exciting new approach for the treatment of cancer.
As a scientist with constant dedication and resolute commitment, Chiara had a noble ambition: not only to find an effective treatment but at the same time a less invasive one for the patient. This research fascinated Chiara and it was something in which she strongly believed.
On April 29 the University of Surrey awarded her the PhD Title, unfortunately posthumously, as Chiara died on January 11, 2022 due to a sudden heart attack, an event that ended her life and interrupted her important research.
To honour her memory, Chiara’s family, friends and colleagues have united to raise funds to enable other brilliant young researchers the opportunity to continue the work which Chiara had started. The University of Surrey is grateful and proud to confirm that the Chiara de Lucia Memorial Fund has raised over £32,600 to support the continuation of Chiara’s important work in FLASH proton therapy for cancer treatments.
Chiara had a unique set of skills which allowed her to combine physics, chemistry and biological expertise to develop unique approaches to quantify the FLASH effect, such as the organ-on-a-chip technology. Chiara combined her scientific enthusiasm with her passion for drawing, producing inspiring representations of her work for the scientific and lay audience. Chiara’s dedication, hardworking and reserved etiquette were very much appreciated and praised by the whole Physics department at Surrey University and was an inspiration to the young scientists that she helped train.Professor Giueseppe Schettino, Professor of Medical Physics, University of Surrey
In memoria di Chiara De Lucia
Chiara dopo la laurea magistrale in Fisica Nucleare conseguita all’Università di Bologna, viene ammessa, nell’ottobre 2019, ad un Dottorato di Ricerca presso l’Università del Surrey (Uk) ed intraprende una importante ricerca scientifica per la cura dei tumori: “Flash Proton Therapy”.
Detta terapia ha la doppia ambizione di trovare una cura efficace contro il cancro e nello stesso tempo risultare meno invasiva per il paziente, unendo i progressi della terapia protonica con i benefici di radiazioni rilasciate ad altissima velocità (Flash).
Era una ricerca che la appassionava e in cui credeva molto. Da scienziata, con dedizione e impegno, Chiara era riuscita a portarla avanti nonostante il Covid e presto avrebbe consegnato la tesi finale.
Il 29 aprile l’Università del Surrey le ha assegnato il Titolo PhD, purtroppo postumo, perché Chiara è morta l’11 gennaio del 2022 a causa di una improvvisa fibrillazione ventricolare, evento che ha messo fine alla sua vita e interrotto la sua importante ricerca.
Per onorare la sua memoria stiamo raccogliendo fondi affinché l’Università possa dare la possibilità ad altri giovani brillanti ricercatrici e ricercatori di proseguire la ricerca avviata da Chiara, tramite l’istituzione di una borsa di studio.
Anche una piccola cifra donata insieme ad altri, può far raggiungere un grande obiettivo alla ricerca e migliorare la vita di tante persone malate di tumore.
Se vuoi unirti a noi per proseguire la ricerca di Chiara, dona ora.
Grazie per il Tuo contributo che consentirà ad altre ricercatrici e/o ricercatori di terminare lo studio per la cura dei tumori tramite la “Flash Proton Therapy”!
I genitori di Chiara, Giuseppe e Daniela e il fratello Andrea
The Chiara de Lucia MPhys Scholarship
We are delighted to confirm that The Chiara de Lucia Memorial Fund will provide scholarships to fund two MPhys students on their research placements. The MPhys is an integrated undergraduate and masters physics degree which includes a year-long research placement enabling the student to be involved in an in-depth research project. These two scholarships will support the continuation of Chiara’s important work in FLASH proton therapy for cancer treatments, and they will provide the opportunity for significant contribution to the field. The first scholarship is expected start in autumn 2024.
FLASH proton therapy is an emerging cancer treatment technique which aggressively targets cancer cells while minimising harmful side effects, resulting in better outcomes and a better quality of life for survivors. Globally praised as a promising innovation in cancer treatment, FLASH radiotherapy needs further exploration before it can become clinical practice.
NPL have generously agreed to provide backing in terms of staff time and support, hosting the student at NPL and the use of their facilities to further their research. As such, the candidates will be working across two institutions and benefit from both academic and industrial supervision and expertise in radiation dosimetry, radiation biology and medical physics.