NCRP

John W. Hopewell

John W. Hopewell

initially graduated with a BSc in Botany and Zoology from the University of Hull (1964) and subsequently obtained a PhD (1968) and DSc (1997) in Radiation Biology from the University of London. He moved to Oxford in 1970 and between 1981 and 2001 was the Professor and Director of Radiobiological Research at the University of Oxfords and until 2007 the Consultant Radiobiologist to the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust (recently renamed the University of Oxford NHS Trust).

His research has been directed to the study of normal tissue responses after radiation exposure. This has been in relation to the underlying mechanisms of damage, its potential amelioration, and the understanding of the clinical effects of dose fractionation and dose-rate. While the majority of the studies have involved work with photons, extensive normal tissue studies were also undertaken with fast neutrons and more recently with the mixed field irradiation exposure associated with the application of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). This latter work was carried out in collaboration with several of the major BNCT Centers, including Helsinki (Finland), Studsvik (Sweden), Brookhaven National Laboratory (United States), Buenos Aries (Argentina), MIT (United States) and the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom).

His work on skin was also extended to radiological protection and formed the basis for both nation and international guidelines. These formed part of International Commission on Radiological Protection Publications 59 (1991) and 85 (2001) and the NCRP Reports No. 130 (1999) and No. 168 (2011). Current studies are related to obtaining a better understanding of the use of Gamma Knife Surgery for the treatment of central nervous system diseases.