Dr. Theresa Bebaaku Dery is a dedicated Research Scientist specializing in Medical Physics at the Medical Radiation Physics Centre, part of the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI) under the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). She holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Cape Coast, which she earned in 2018. Dr. Dery also obtained a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Medical Physics from the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), University of Ghana, Legon, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
In pursuit of advanced training, Dr. Dery completed a six-month International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Fellowship in Radiotherapy at C.H.U. André Vesale in Charleroi, Belgium, from September 2019 to March 2020. Her commitment to professional growth has been reinforced by participation in several national, regional, and international IAEA training courses, seminars, conferences, and workshops. These initiatives have deepened her expertise in radiation protection and enhanced her contributions to the field.
Dr. Dery’s outstanding professional performance has earned her significant responsibilities. She plays a critical role in inspecting and conducting safety assessments of diagnostic and therapeutic medical radiation-emitting devices. She is a key member of the National Quality Assurance Audit Network Programme in Radiotherapy and the National Audit Diagnostic Imaging Team. Additionally, she has served on the Planning Committee for the Regional Training Course on QUATRO Audits for Medical Physicists and as a facilitator for initiatives such as the National Training Course on QUANUM and QUADRIL (2015) and the Summer School program of the Ghana-Norway Project (NORPART) for Medical Physics and Radiography Education since 2016.
Scientific Achievements
Dr. Dery has made significant strides in scientific research and professional development. In 2014, she was awarded the prestigious Taqi Binesh Prize for Best Poster Presentation at the College on Medical Physics Conference, hosted by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy. Her research focuses on dose verification in treatment planning systems and non-ionizing radiation in MRI. She has authored several peer-reviewed articles published in reputable scientific journals, contributing valuable insights to the field.
Contributions to Professional Bodies
Dr. Dery has also made impactful contributions to the Ghana Society for Medical Physics (GSMP). She has served as Assistant Secretary and Secretary to the GSMP and has been an active member of several committees, including the Planning Committee for the International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP) since 2015, the Symposium Planning Committee (2015), and the GSMP Publicity Committee since 2016. Furthermore, she represents Ghana as the National Delegate for the Federation of African Medical Physics Organizations (FAMPO) since 2021.
Academic and Mentorship Roles
In addition to her research and professional activities, Dr. Dery is a faculty member in the Medical Physics Department at the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana. Her research interests are focused on radiation dosimetry in diagnostics and radiotherapy. She is passionate about advancing Medical Physics and promoting best practices in medical imaging. Dr. Dery is committed to mentoring students and young scientists, encouraging practical applications of Medical Physics to improve healthcare outcomes.
Personal Background
An alumna of Notre Dame Girls Senior High School, Fiapre, Sunyani, Dr. Dery balances her professional life with a love for music. She remains committed to her mission of contributing to scientific knowledge, professional development, and the betterment of medical imaging practices globally.