Research and Education Newsletter v35- Internal - Flipbook - Page 8
Division of Radiation Oncology Annual Research and Education Newsletter: Fiscal Year 2020
Welcoming Dr. Mary Martel as
Radiation Physics Chair
Mary Martel, Ph.D. is a rare and powerful combination of servant leadership, mentorship, and physicist. In 2019,
shattering a steep glass ceiling, she became the first woman to be appointed as Chair in the Radiation Oncology
division and of the Radiation Physics department at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
RADIATION PHYSICS CHAIR PERSPECTIVES
Martel exemplifies a unique leadership model, with her
outstanding career accomplishments that have spanned the local
and national levels, and beyond the boundaries of medical physics
and innovative research. She honors the exceptional mentors
that have helped shape her career by extending the ladder and a
supportive hand to the next generation of faculty leaders. She is
paving the foundational groundwork for other women to continue
breaking barriers in the field of physics.
Serving as the Director of Faculty Support in the Department of
Radiation Physics, Martel empowers and guides junior faculty and
others on their career development journeys.
As we reflect on an incredible year and milestone for the
Department of Radiation Physics, Martel shares with us her vision,
advice, inspiration, and views on research, academic medicine and
the male-majority world of medical physics.
What prepared you for your role as Chair of Radiation Physics?
Our department has over 250 employees, not just faculty and
professional staff medical physicists, but also dosimetrists,
engineers, machinists, administrative staff, educational trainees,
and many more. There is no substitute for prior supervisory and
leadership experience in order to be successful as the Chair of the
Department of Radiation Physics.
I became the clinical physics lead at a New York City hospital right
out of the gate from a postdoctoral fellowship/residency. With
each successive move, I have always taken on more responsibility,
What is your vision for
research in Radiation
Physics?
Our division took an
important step several
years ago in conducting a
research retreat to establish
the Radiation Oncology
Strategic Initiatives
(ROSI). The “pillars” of
ROSI reflect the research
vision for the department
and the division. Physics
contribution is recognized
through leadership of
ROSI work. In addition, our
department has a number
of strong research groups
and are considered world
leaders in research. I think
Mary Martel, Ph.D.
of our groups in terms of
generations. We have strong research leaders who are professors
and associate professors, but we must continue to recruit assistant
professors who are research-focused to grow our next generation
of scientists. The vision for our department’s research continues to
focus on disruptive technology and treatment via physics, biology
and clinical development.
“It is important to remember that we stand on the shoulders of women leaders who have
come before us and paved the way for the advances that women today have gained.”
as Clinical Physics Chief until I came to MD Anderson 13 years
ago, and as Deputy Director of Clinical Physics. I was also elected
President of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine
(AAPM), our professional society, and as Chair of Science Council
for the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), giving
me national leadership experience. Along the way, you hone your
leadership skills and establish your core values (“caring, integrity,
transparency”, as a servant leader).
It is important to communicate your core values to your team
and department through words, and most importantly, through
actions. These guiding principles helped elevate me throughout
my career to reach what I consider the pinnacle of medical physics,
becoming the Chair of Radiation Physics at MD Anderson.
What inspires you?
Our patients have always inspired me toward purpose in life and
career. My Ph.D. is in physics and when I learned that physics could
be applied to the medical field, I was quickly drawn in! Inspiration
comes from working with outstanding health care professionals
that are focused on our patients.
Why is research important to you?
I chose to enter academic medicine because research is important
to me. Research is what “moves the field forward” toward better
treatment and outcome for our patients. Of course, patientcentered care is our priority, but discovery through innovation
is an essential part of working at MD Anderson, and we provide
leadership toward high-quality care.
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As a leader in a male-dominated profession, what insight and
advice would you share with young women entering your field
or another male-dominated profession?
It is important to remember that we stand on the shoulders of
women leaders who have come before us and paved the way for
the advances that women today have gained. We have so much
farther to go before there is equality. My best advice is to find
people who will provide mentorship and sponsorship for their
careers. Their experience helps to “pay it forward” so that each
generation may continue to gain ground in male-dominated
professions.
What advice would you give to junior faculty who are trying to
shape their careers?
I advise junior faculty to first connect with purpose in their career.
Careers are not a series of boxes waiting to be checked off. It
is important to be proactive in finding opportunities that are
meaningful in advancing their career but also having an impact
on their field. When a faculty is struggling, I ask them to find a role
model in their field and see how this person attained their position
and status. This helps the faculty member gain perspective on their
own career.
What sparked your passion for mentorship of faculty members?
Mentorship and sponsorship have long been a focus of my career.
I have had great mentors in my career, and it is important to
continue to pass along knowledge learned and wisdom attained to
the next generation.