Document Type : Commentary
Authors
- Joseph John Bevelacqua 1
- Seyed Ali Reza Mortazavi 2
- Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi 3, 4
- James Welsh 5, 6
1 Bevelacqua Resources, Owens Cross Roads, AL, United States
2 MVLS College, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
3 Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5 Department of Radiation Oncology, Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital, Hines, IL, United States
6 Department of Radiation Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, United States
Abstract
Professor John Roderick Cameron (1922–2005) stands out as a trailblazer in the field of medical physics, whose innovative work has deeply influenced radiation protection and the broader medical radiation field through sound technical judgment and insight. Best known for inventing the bone densitometry device, his pioneering efforts have reshaped modern medical practices far beyond his initial breakthroughs. Cameron’s explorations extended into the realms of space biomedical science and models of terrestrial radiation, areas where his insights continue to resonate today. As the Emeritus Professor of Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a founding member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, Cameron laid crucial groundwork for safety standards in environments with high natural radiation levels. His leadership was instrumental in advancing thermoluminescence dosimetry, radiation measurement, and image quality assurance, driving progress in both academia and clinical practices. Moreover, through establishing Medical Physics Publishing, Cameron played a pivotal role in spreading vital research and educational materials across the fields of health physics and medical physics. This commentary reflects on Cameron’s far-reaching contributions, highlighting his critical work in space radiation research and terrestrial radiation models-key to the future of interplanetary travel and potential human settlement on planets like Mars. His research in areas of high background radiation, like Ramsar, Iran, has been fundamental in developing strategies for biological protection in space, which are essential for ensuring astronaut safety during long-duration space missions. We honor Professor Cameron’s profound legacy, celebrating his visionary spirit and the lasting impact of his contributions on generations of scientists in radiation science.
Highlights
Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi (Google Scholar)
Keywords
- Ng KH, Doi K. John Roderick Cameron (1922-2005): Scientist, teacher, mentor, inventor, and philanthropist extraordinaire. Radiol Phys Technol. 2024;17(1):1-8. doi: 10.1007/s12194-023-00775-6. PubMed PMID: 38347240.
- Mortazavi SAR, Mortazavi SMJ. Cameron’s impact on space biomedical sciences-expanding insights to Ng and Doi’s article. Radiol Phys Technol. doi: 10.1007/s12194-024-00801-1. PubMed PMID: 38607477.
- Cameron JR, Suntharalingam N, Kenney GN. Thermoluminescent Dosimetry. University of Wisconsin Press; 1968.
- Cameron JR, Mazess RB, Sorenson JA. Precision and accuracy of bone mineral determination by direct photon absorptiometry. Invest Radiol. 1968;3(3):141-50. doi: 10.1097/00004424-196805000-00001. PubMed PMID: 5659192.
- Cameron JR, Sorenson J. Measurement of bone mineral in vivo: an improved method. 1963;12(3589):230-2. doi: 10.1126/science.142.3589.230. PubMed PMID: 14057368.
- Sorenson JA, Cameron JR. A reliable in vivo measurement of bone-mineral content. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1967;49(3):481-97. PubMed PMID: 6022358.
- Mazess RB, Cameron JR, O’Connor R, Knutzen D. Accuracy of bone mineral measurement. 1964;145(3630):388-9. doi: 10.1126/science.145.3630.388. PubMed PMID: 14172597.
- Cameron JR, Grant R, MacGregor R. An improved technic for the measurement of bone mineral content in vivo. Radiology. 1962;78(1):117. doi: 10.1148/78.1.117a.
- Niroomand-Rad A. In memory of Professor John R. Cameron. Int J Low Radiation. 2005;1(4):479-81.
- Cameron JR, Bassano DA, Bank MI. An Improved Method for Quality Control in Diagnostic Radiology. In Health Physics in the Healing Arts: Seventh Midyear Topical Symposium, Health Physics Society; San Juan, Puerto Rico: US Bureau of Radiological Health; 1973. p. 179.
- McCullough EC, Cameron JR. Exposure rates from diagnostic x-ray units. Br J Radiol. 1970;43(511):448-9. doi: 10.1259/0007-1285-43-511-448. PubMed PMID: 5429081.
- Mortazavi SMJ, Cameron JR, Niroomand-rad A. Adaptive response studies may help choose astronauts for long-term space travel. Adv Space Res. 2003;31(6):1543-51. doi: 10.1016/s0273-1177(03)00089-9. PubMed PMID: 12971409.
- Mortazavi SMJ, Cameron JR, Niroomand-Rad A. The life saving role of radioadaptive responses in long-term interplanetary space journeys. In International Congress Series; Elsevier; 2005. p. 266-67.
- Welsh JS. Further thoughts on low-level radiation: an evolutionary biologist’s perspective. Radiology. 2004;231(3):922-3. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2313031717. PubMed PMID: 15163827.
- Ghiassi-nejad M, Mortazavi SM, Cameron JR, Niroomand-rad A, Karam PA. Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies. Health Phys. 2002;82(1):87-93. doi: 10.1097/00004032-200201000-00011. PubMed PMID: 11769138.
- Parihar VK, Allen BD, Caressi C, Kwok S, Chu E, Tran KK, et al. Cosmic radiation exposure and persistent cognitive dysfunction. Sci Rep. 2016;6:34774. doi: 10.1038/srep34774. PubMed PMID: 27721383. PubMed PMCID: PMC5056393.
- Mortazavi SMJ, Nematollahi S, Razavi Toosi SMT, Mortazavi G, Roshan-Shomal P, et al. Does Exposure of Astronauts’ Brains to High-LET Radiation in Deep Space Threaten the Success of the Mission? IEEE Aerospace Conference; Big Sky, MT, USA: IEEE; 2020.
- Mortazavi SMJ, Rafiepour P, Mortazavi SAR, Razavi Toosi SMT, Roshan-Shomal P, Sihver L. Radium deposition in human brain tissue: A Geant4-DNA Monte Carlo toolkit study. Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik. 2024;34(1):166-74. doi: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2023.09.004.
- Marazziti D, Baroni S, Catena-Dell’Osso M, Schiavi E, Ceresoli D, Conversano C, et al. Cognitive, psychological and psychiatric effects of ionizing radiation exposure. Curr Med Chem. 2012;19(12):1864-9. doi: 10.2174/092986712800099776. PubMed PMID: 22376039.
)