Thaddeus V. Samulski, PhD, died on 29 July 2009 of a rare, long, and difficult illness, corticobasal degeneration. He leaves a large and loving family, many friends, and professional colleagues who greatly mourn his passing.
Thad as he was known to his colleagues, Thaddeus to his wife, Ricka, or Teddie as he was known to his family, was a gifted person who majored in physics as an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, graduating in 1968. He then obtained a PhD in 1976 at the State University of New York in Buffalo. His research at that time involved theoretical physics of liquid helium. After obtaining his PhD he took a postdoctoral fellowship and further training in medical physics at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he commenced his work in the emerging area of hyperthermia for cancer treatment. His investigations led to the study of temperature-dependent photo luminescence in rare earth crystals and to the development of a fibre-optic-based thermometry system that could be used in an electromagnetic field to accurately measure temperatures in patients while undergoing therapy, a very important development in the early days of hyperthermia clinical trials.
This work led to three patents related to thermometry methods. Thad's increasing prominence in the field also led to his recruitment by Peter Fessenden and Dan Kapp in the Department of Radiation Therapy at Stanford University to join their hyperthermia team. At Stanford, Thad worked on the design of microwave applicators for clinical hyperthermia and soon established himself as one of the national and international leaders in this area. In 1986 he was recruited to Duke University to join the emerging hyperthermia program at that institution under the leadership of James Oleson and Mark Dewhirst. Thad remained at Duke throughout the remainder of his professional career. He played a vital leadership role in the Radiation Oncology Department's hyperthermia program. The Duke hyperthermia efforts culminated in the award of a Program Project Grant from the National Cancer Institute in 1986 which has continued until the present time.
In 1992, Thad assumed the leadership of the Physics Division in the Department of Radiation Oncology. He was promoted to full Professor with tenure in 2000. Paramount amongst his many accomplishments while at Duke was the development of magnetic resonance imaging for non-invasive temperature measurement in real time in patients undergoing hyperthermia treatments. This required substantial modification of a commercial MRI unit carried out in collaboration with GE Healthcare. This seminal work holds the promise for the development of full three-dimensional temperature mapping in human patients in real time while undergoing hyperthermia treatments.
Thad's research efforts in hyperthermia were recognised by his receipt of the J. Eugene Robinson Award for Excellence in Hyperthermia Research awarded to him in 1999 by the Society for Thermal Medicine.
In addition to his research in clinical efforts in hyperthermia, Thad effectively led the Physics Division of Radiation Oncology, supervising the routine clinical operations of the division but also establishing the first medical physics training program in the Duke Department of Radiation Oncology. Many of his early trainees have gone on to distinguished academic careers, including Shiva Das, Sumin Zhou, Oana Craciunescu, and Mike Munley, among others.
This recitation of important academic achievements cannot capture adequately the many facets of this brilliant, creative person who loved family, music, having fun, and interacting with his professional colleagues. He cared deeply about his hyperthermia patients, and patient care generally, establishing an admirable role model for his physics colleagues. Personally Thad was a modest man receiving a compliment or praise with a shy smile and shrug of the shoulder. He rarely complained about anything, either professional or personal, even the devastating illness that eventually took his life.
A service celebrating Thad's life was held in Duke Chapel on 28 August 2009. We were privileged to hear remarks from many of Thad's colleagues, friends, family members and former students, describing the impact Thad had in their lives. Thad is survived by his wife Ricka, children Tadzieu, Erica, and Erith, his mother Itala, two grandchildren, eight siblings and a large extended family.
The MRI suite has been designated the Thaddeus V. Samulski MRI/Hyperthermia suite. Additionally a lectureship in his name will be established in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Duke University.
Memorial gifts to the Samulski lectureship may be sent to:
Terry Brewer, Business Manager
Radiation Oncology
Duke University Medical Center
PO Box 3640
Durham, NC 27710
USA