Arjen van der Schaaf

Dr. Arjen van der Schaaf is a medical physicist affiliated with the University of Groningen, working within the Faculty of Medical Sciences through the Personalized Cancer Treatment (PCT) and BRIDGE research groups. His research focuses on optimizing radiation therapy through advanced imaging and modeling of treatment effects, particularly in head and neck cancer and proton therapy applications.

His work intersects with critical subfields including NTCP model development, aspiration risk prediction, dysphagia toxicity analysis, and radiation-induced contrast enhancement. Key collaborations span institutions like UMCG, with emphasis on international cohort studies and multi-institutional validation.

Notable contributions include:

• Development of predictive models for radiation-induced complications in brain tumors and mandibular health
• Improvement of NTCP frameworks for aspiration and swallowing disorders
• Integration of proton therapy dosimetry with clinical outcomes

His research directly supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), focusing on reducing radiation therapy side effects while improving efficacy.