Sunway University Professor Honoured: First Malaysian University Scientist to Have an International Congress Held in Their Name
Renowned scientist and Head of the Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies at Sunway University, Professor David A. Bradley, is to be keynote speaker at the International Congress on Solid State Dosimetry (ISSSD) 2023 in Montería, Colombia, notably with the meeting held in his honour. This recognition comes about as a result of a lifetime of dedication to research in solid state dosimetry, a field that in particular provides for measurement of radiation dose to the human body, not least in regard to medical applications.
Prof. Bradley expressed his gratitude for this recognition, stating that “This amazing honour from an American group, came completely out of the blue. In my seventh decade, I am so very grateful for the recognition being paid towards highlighting a considerable part of my life’s work’. Carried out with numerous colleagues throughout the world, he wishes to make it clear that the work has been one of steady progression rather than the leap forwards of the more gifted scientists.
Organised by a group of researchers interested in solid state dosimetry, the International Congress on Solid State Dosimetry (ISSSD) began as a national congress in Mexico City in 1986, later leading to the formation of the scientific society Sociedad Mexicana de Irradiación y Dosimetría (SMID). Over time, the event has grown in popularity, attracting researchers from around the world. The ISSSD series of meetings are held annually, several of the more recent events having been held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For ISSSD 2023, the SMID decided to dedicate the event to Prof. Bradley, recognising his outstanding contribution to solid state dosimetry and his role in training young researchers. The event will be held in a hybrid format, providing for both live and online presence.
Prof. Bradley was certainly the first Malaysian University scientist to have participated in this series of meetings, notably in his role as the Secretary to the International Radiation Physics Society (IRPS) and later as its President, also for a time as Editor-in Chief (Scientific) of the British Journal of Radiology, the oldest journal of radiology in the world. He has since attended several ISSSDs in person as well as presenting online during the pandemic. Although to-date he has been one of only two Malaysian University academics to have presented at the conference in person, nevertheless he notes that interest from Malaysia has increased significantly, with many national academics and PhD students presenting online.
Prof. Bradley, an Emeritus Professor of Surrey University, would like it be known that he has spent much of his life in Malaysia, having enjoyed Permanent Resident status for more than 25 years. He pays enormous gratitude to the late Tan Sri Ani Arope, also to Tan Sri Gauth Jasmon, noting the invaluable guidance that they both offered in the development of his career, also to Sunway University for their faith in him, giving him the opportunity to extend his career into his 70s. This recognition of having an international conference held in his name is surely a first for Sunway University and possibly for Malaysia. In particular, Professor Bradley is proud to have played a part in highlighting the global presence of Malaysia in scientific research.
This article was published in Business Today on 7th June, 2023.
