The Sarajevo Medical School of the University Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST) recently had the honour of hosting Dr. Yiota Foka, senior scientist at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt and CERN collaborator, for an inspiring lecture titled “From Physics to Clinics.”. The event attracted a large audience of medical and dentistry students, lecturers, and staff, all eager to explore how fundamental physics contributes to modern clinical medicine.
Dr. Yiota Foka, senior scientist at GSI and CERN collaborator, delivering her lecture “From Physics to Clinics” at the University Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST), held as part of the IFIGENEIA network activities. During the session, she guided students through the fascinating links between physics and clinical practice, while medical and dentistry students followed attentively, eager to see how science translates into patient care.
From Physics to Clinics
Dr. Foka’s lecture vividly illustrated the extraordinary journey from basic physical principles to life-saving medical applications. With clarity, passion, and deep insight, she guided the audience through the ways in which discoveries in physics have shaped diagnostic and therapeutic technologies — from imaging methods and particle accelerators to proton and heavy ion-beam therapy. Her engaging delivery and ability to connect theory with practice made complex scientific ideas both accessible and captivating. For many students, it was a moment of realisation that physics is not a distant theoretical field but a vital foundation for medical innovation and patient care.
It was fascinating to see how physics becomes medicine in action. It really changed the way we look at the subject.
Exploring matRad: Where Physics Meets Planning
As part of the lecture, students were also introduced to matRad, an open-source radiotherapy treatment-planning system developed by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Through a live demonstration, it was showcased how physics-based models and algorithms determine optimal radiation doses in clinical radiotherapy. Although the event was held in lecture format due to the large number of attendees, students had the opportunity to observe real examples of how radiotherapy-planning software operates — seeing first-hand how theory becomes an indispensable clinical tool.
Student Reflections
Last week, we were honoured to have a guest seminar all the way from a CERN physicist. We were told many interesting things about hadron therapy, the forms of radiotherapy, and the effects and procedures related to cancer-patient treatment. We were introduced to Astatine loading, dose calculations, SDCRT, and IMRT, which was insanely fascinating and honestly mind-blowing. I’m looking forward to learning more about cancer treatment in the future and feel truly privileged to have been in that seminar.
This enthusiastic reflection perfectly captures the impact of the lecture — a blend of curiosity, excitement, and a deeper appreciation for how science underpins modern clinical practice.
A Lasting Impression
The lecture sparked curiosity, enthusiasm, and admiration among the audience, leaving a lasting impression on both students and faculty members. It also reinforced SSST’s commitment to interdisciplinary education — helping future doctors understand not only how medical technologies work, but why they work, and the physics that makes them possible.
Acknowledgments
The University SSST extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Yiota Foka for her inspiring contribution and and unwavering commitment to fostering international collaboration between physics and medicine. As Dr. Foka concluded in her talk:
From physics to clinics — it’s not just a title, but a shared journey between scientists and physicians for the benefit of patients.
SSST students were joined by the University’s founder and academician Prof. Ejup Ganić, and Dr. Adnan Beganović, active contributor to the IFIGENEIA initiative. The warm atmosphere reflects the spirit of the event — one of curiosity, inspiration, and scientific exchange across institutions and disciplines, fostering inclusive excellence and collaboration in research and education.
University SSST’s medical and dentistry students, together with faculty and Dr. Yiota Foka, sharing a moment that reflects the collaborative and inspiring spirit of the day.