Jonathan Sharp

Area of Study / Keywords

radiotherapy mri MRI Radiofrequency Technology Space Flight Medical Physics Magnetic Resonance Imaging Medical Imaging TRASE Radiotherapy Special Relativity Electronics Nuclear Magnetic Resonance NMR Software Quantum Mechanics Radiofrequency Coils RF Coils Medical Devices

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About

See my personal website for more:  https://sharpresearch.weebly.com/

• Medical Physics at University of Alberta: mp.med.ualberta.ca/faculty_staff/j_sharp.htm
• LinkedIn:  ca.linkedin.com/in/jonathansharp100
• ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-7487

• Radiation Therapy Program (U of A): www.ualberta.ca/medicine/programs/radiation-therapy/contact-us
• Physics Education - OpenPhys: openphys.med.ualberta.ca/ Mobile-Friendly Radiation Physics Content
• Weebly (this site): sharpresearch.weebly.com/
• Twitter:   twitter.com/Jonathan_Sharp

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Research

Radio-Frequency Encoded Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
I am co-inventor of a novel MR imaging technology that eliminates the need for conventional imaging gradients. 'Gradient-free' imaging ('TRASE' - Transmit Array Spatial Encoding) is an entirely novel MRI approach which eliminates the traditional gradient coil system, eliminating bulk, cost and much complexity. This technology has the potential to substantially reduce the cost and increase the robustness of MRI. The work was featured in Nature 'Research Highlights' in September 2013.

MRI Techniques, Simulation and Image Formation
I have a long-standing interest in MRI data acquisition techniques ('pulse sequences') including the use of computer simulations. One example is a technique that I invented which retrospectively compensates for magnetic field shimming errors by combining signals from an array of detection coils.

MRI Systems and Technology
I have designed MRI control equipment (MRI consoles), two of which are currently in use running MRI research systems here in the Medical Physics division. Design of our own equipment allows us greater flexibility and scope for technological innovation than does the use of commercial systems.

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
The topic of quantum foundations concerns efforts to find an 'interpretation' of quantum mechanics. Amongst physicists, there is remarkably little consensus on what quantum mechanics actually means, even though it is a tremendously successful and useful theory. The "Copenhagen Interpretation" of Niels Bohr is the traditional approach, but leaves much unsaid. With the development of quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and encryption, experiments are probing systems which may demand a more specific ontology. A better understanding of the causes of decoherence may be of great practical relevance for these technologies.

Real-time MRI in Radiotherapy
MRI offers superior tissue contrast and image quality than X-ray CT, but has only recently been integrated with radiotherapy treatment systems (see the linac-mr.ca website for more information). My research interest is in the MRI techniques needed for real-time control of external beam radiotherapy treatment to enable higher treatment accuracy in the presence of tumor motion.

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Teaching

I teach radiation physics in the Radiation Therapy Program.

I am developing MRI education for Radiation Therapists

ONCOL 233 - Concepts and Applications in Medical Physics

Introduction into fundamental medical physics concepts including theory of atomic and nuclear structure, radioactivity, and electromagnetic and particulate radiation. Topics to be covered include production of medically useful radiation, interaction of radiation with matter, radiation dose, and an introduction to physics concepts used in a radiation oncology environment.

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RADTH 305 - Introduction to the Integration of MRI in Radiation Therapy

Provides an overview of the integration of magnetic resonance imaging into radiation therapy practice. Includes concepts such as safety, physics, image evaluation, etc., as applied in the clinical radiation therapy environment.

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Browse more courses taught by Jonathan Sharp

Sedlock CJ, Purchase AR, Tomanek B, Sharp JC

JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE. 2022 July; tbd

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Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) 2022 Annual Congress. Hamilton, ON, Canada, 5-10 June 2022. 2022 June;

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Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) 2022 Annual Congress. Hamilton, ON, Canada, 5-10 June 2022.. 2022 June;

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International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 2022. 2022 May;

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International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 2022 (ISMRM) May 2022. 2022 May;

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IEEE Access. 2021 June; 9 DOI:10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3093530

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Bohidar P., Sun H., Sharp J.C., Sarty G.E.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. 2020 December; 74 10.1016/j.mri.2020.09.003