Jul. 3, 2025
The ASRT Foundation has awarded $25,000 for a two-year grant to assist in the research project, “Evaluating Variables of Inter-Fraction Interruptions Due to Bladder-Filling for Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving External Beam Radiation Therapy.” Research grant co-principal investigators are Maria Dimopoulos, Ph.D., M.B.A., R.T.(T), and Patrycia Sek, B.S., R.T.(T). Their co-investigators include Alex Ashley, R.T.(T), Samantha Skubish, M.S., R.T.(R)(T), and Cynthia Vavasis, R.T.(T).
The investigators’ goal is to identify the key factors that contribute to interfraction treatment interruptions and to determine the extent to which treatment timing, nursing consults, dietitian consults and patient age independently and interactively influence the consistency of adequate bladder filling.
Dr. Dimopoulos is an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and associate director for Mount Sinai radiation sciences education. She is a delegate of the ASRT Radiation Therapy Chapter and leads the ASRT Foundation Research Grants and Advisory Panel. She serves on the editorial review boards for the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences and the Radiation Therapist journal. In addition, she leads the U.S. Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy Working Group Education Committee. She received a doctoral degree in health professions leadership and education from Pacific University, a master’s degree in health care from Simmons University, radiation therapy education from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Patrycia Sek is a senior radiation therapist at Mount Sinai Hospital. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health science from Stony Brook University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public health, health policy and management at City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health, with a focus on improving health care systems and patient outcomes.
Alex Ashley is the quality improvement coordinator of radiation oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital. He holds a bachelor’s degree in professional studies in radiation therapy from State University of New York Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He is the vice president of the board of directors for the Radiation Therapy Association of New York State and a member of the Associate Board of Ambassadors for the American Cancer Society of the Capital Region of New York State.
Samantha Skubish is the chief technical director of radiation oncology for Mount Sinai Health System in New York City and clinical assistant professor for the School of Health Professions at Stony Brook University. She serves as vice chair of the ASRT Practice Standards Council and is chair and co-founder of the Radiation Therapy Association of New York State. Skubish is an ARRT Gold Standard award recipient for her work on professional advancement, equitable care and patient safety. She leads the National Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy Working Group and participates in the Advanced Practice Radiation Therapy International Community of Practice. Her department received the 2023 ACCC Innovator Award for their APRT model of care. She holds a bachelor’s degree in radiologic sciences from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in health policy and management from The New School in New York City.
Cynthia Vavasis is the assistant chief therapist at Mount Sinai Hospital. She has an associate degree from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida, and is a graduate of the Mount Sinai Emerging Leaders program. Vavasis has given lectures on radiation therapy topics at ASRT Radiation Therapy Conferences. She also serves as a student mentor.