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Dr. Eugene Robinson (1925–1983)
In, J Rutl,ul,,m O~<,I/,J~I~ Iliol /‘IIK\ Vol. Printed I” Ihe U.S.A. All rights reserved.
16. pp. 53 l-532 Copyright
0360-3016/89 $3.00 t .I0 0 1989 Pergamon Press plc
??Dedication
DR. EUGENE
ROBINSON
(1925-1983)
and Radiobiology, and Alice with her interests in the Theatre. In all of Gene’s scientific work, he was first of all a man of ethics and integrity. Many of us who have known him have not fully realized the importance of his scientific work because he was never one to boast of his accomplishments. In 196 1, he joined the University of Maryland where he was responsible for the installation and commissioning of advanced high-energy radiation therapy units. He developed novel computerized methods for
Dr. Eugene (Gene) Robinson was a pioneer in hyperthermic research for the 20 years preceding his death in 1983. The spirit of pioneering has been a trait of the Rob inson family. In attending Washington University in St. Louis after graduating from high school in Utah, Gene retraced the steps of his grandmother who had walked across the country from St. Louis in a handcart caravan. After receiving his Ph.D. in Physics in St. Louis, he and his wife, Alice McDonnell, moved to Stanford. Both have made recognized contributions, Gene in Medical Physics
Accepted for publication 29 September 1988. 531
532
1.J. RadiationOncology 0 Biology 0 Physics
clinical radiation dosimetry which are now standard in radiation therapy. As an alternative to pituitary implants with radioactive material, Dr. Robinson initiated studies on the use of hyperthermia as an anti-cancer agent in the late 1960s. In 1970, he developed an array of resistive heating needle implants to be combined with interstitial radiation. This device was tested in the rabbit thigh. Many of us first became acquainted with Dr. Robinson in Seattle at the International Radiation Research Congress in the Summer of 1974 where he presented his hyperthermic research and organized a workshop to discuss having an international symposium on hyperthermia applied to cancer therapy. This symposium took place in Washington, D.C. in 1975 where Dr. Robinson served as Cochairman of this Symposium. At about this same time, he published his well quoted and important paper, “Robinson, J.E., Wizenberg, M.J., and McCready, W.A.: Combined Hyperthermia and Radiation, an Alternative to Heavy Particle Therapy for Reduced Oxygen Enhancement Ratios, Nature, 25 1:52 l-522, 1974.” This paper clearly stimulated many of us to consider the rationale for using hyperthermia in cancer therapy in order to kill the radioresistant hypoxic cells. In about 1972, Gene stressed the importance of measuring a thermal enhancement ratio when hyperthermia is combined with radiation. He also demonstrated that microwaves used for heating had no nonthermal effect. In 1976, he bravely approached the subject of thermal dose by considering time-temperature relationships and even suggested a “THERM”, i.e., the thermal equivalent in rads of 1 min hyperthermal treatment. Since then we have been discussing concepts and complications of thermal dose. One of the strongest points of Dr. Robinson was his emphasis on quality control in studying and using hyperthermia. An example of this is illustrated by the article “Robinson, J.E., Harris, G.H., McCready, W.A. and Samaras, G.M., Good Thermal Dosimetry is Essential to Good Hyperthermia Research, British Journal of Ra-
March 1989, Volume 16, Number 3
diology, 5 1:532-534, 1978.” If Gene were alive today, 1 am confident that he would be actively involved in resolving many of the quality assurance issues discussed in this issue of the journal. Dr. Gene Robinson has indeed made an impact in the hyperthermia field. In addition, his kind, considerate, and soft-spoken positive approach inspired many of us to work together in a constructive manner. As an example of Gene’s approach to his colleagues and co-workers, a quote is included from a letter he wrote to the staff members of the Division of Radiation Therapy at the University of Maryland on August 27, 1971. “Last year in this seminar series, each member of the group, including secretarial staff and technical staff, took his turn in presenting a short paper related to the work for which he is responsible, which he feels is of general interest to the group. We all felt that this series was extremely successful and each of us had experience and knowledge to contribute to each other. I am aware that most of you may have obligations elsewhere, but would extend our heartiest invitation to join us in this series. If you feel that you may have sufficient time to attend with any regularity, we would certainly invite you to share your knowledge with us by contributing papers in some regular sequence. In any case, you are certainly invited to come share doughnuts and listen in on a ‘catch as catch can basis’ to what may be the presentation on any particular Thursday.”
Gene was truly a humble but inspiring individual who contributed greatly towards advancing the field of hyperthermia applied to cancer therapy. As we continue to investigate the use of hyperthermia in treating cancer, we shall acknowledge Dr. Robinson each year with the Eugene Robinson Memorial Lecture delivered at the annual meeting of the North American Hyperthermia Group. WILLIAM DEWEY, PH.D.
Radiation Oncology Research Laboratory Univ. California CED200 San Francisco, CA 94 143
16. pp. 53 l-532 Copyright
0360-3016/89 $3.00 t .I0 0 1989 Pergamon Press plc
??Dedication
DR. EUGENE
ROBINSON
(1925-1983)
and Radiobiology, and Alice with her interests in the Theatre. In all of Gene’s scientific work, he was first of all a man of ethics and integrity. Many of us who have known him have not fully realized the importance of his scientific work because he was never one to boast of his accomplishments. In 196 1, he joined the University of Maryland where he was responsible for the installation and commissioning of advanced high-energy radiation therapy units. He developed novel computerized methods for
Dr. Eugene (Gene) Robinson was a pioneer in hyperthermic research for the 20 years preceding his death in 1983. The spirit of pioneering has been a trait of the Rob inson family. In attending Washington University in St. Louis after graduating from high school in Utah, Gene retraced the steps of his grandmother who had walked across the country from St. Louis in a handcart caravan. After receiving his Ph.D. in Physics in St. Louis, he and his wife, Alice McDonnell, moved to Stanford. Both have made recognized contributions, Gene in Medical Physics
Accepted for publication 29 September 1988. 531
532
1.J. RadiationOncology 0 Biology 0 Physics
clinical radiation dosimetry which are now standard in radiation therapy. As an alternative to pituitary implants with radioactive material, Dr. Robinson initiated studies on the use of hyperthermia as an anti-cancer agent in the late 1960s. In 1970, he developed an array of resistive heating needle implants to be combined with interstitial radiation. This device was tested in the rabbit thigh. Many of us first became acquainted with Dr. Robinson in Seattle at the International Radiation Research Congress in the Summer of 1974 where he presented his hyperthermic research and organized a workshop to discuss having an international symposium on hyperthermia applied to cancer therapy. This symposium took place in Washington, D.C. in 1975 where Dr. Robinson served as Cochairman of this Symposium. At about this same time, he published his well quoted and important paper, “Robinson, J.E., Wizenberg, M.J., and McCready, W.A.: Combined Hyperthermia and Radiation, an Alternative to Heavy Particle Therapy for Reduced Oxygen Enhancement Ratios, Nature, 25 1:52 l-522, 1974.” This paper clearly stimulated many of us to consider the rationale for using hyperthermia in cancer therapy in order to kill the radioresistant hypoxic cells. In about 1972, Gene stressed the importance of measuring a thermal enhancement ratio when hyperthermia is combined with radiation. He also demonstrated that microwaves used for heating had no nonthermal effect. In 1976, he bravely approached the subject of thermal dose by considering time-temperature relationships and even suggested a “THERM”, i.e., the thermal equivalent in rads of 1 min hyperthermal treatment. Since then we have been discussing concepts and complications of thermal dose. One of the strongest points of Dr. Robinson was his emphasis on quality control in studying and using hyperthermia. An example of this is illustrated by the article “Robinson, J.E., Harris, G.H., McCready, W.A. and Samaras, G.M., Good Thermal Dosimetry is Essential to Good Hyperthermia Research, British Journal of Ra-
March 1989, Volume 16, Number 3
diology, 5 1:532-534, 1978.” If Gene were alive today, 1 am confident that he would be actively involved in resolving many of the quality assurance issues discussed in this issue of the journal. Dr. Gene Robinson has indeed made an impact in the hyperthermia field. In addition, his kind, considerate, and soft-spoken positive approach inspired many of us to work together in a constructive manner. As an example of Gene’s approach to his colleagues and co-workers, a quote is included from a letter he wrote to the staff members of the Division of Radiation Therapy at the University of Maryland on August 27, 1971. “Last year in this seminar series, each member of the group, including secretarial staff and technical staff, took his turn in presenting a short paper related to the work for which he is responsible, which he feels is of general interest to the group. We all felt that this series was extremely successful and each of us had experience and knowledge to contribute to each other. I am aware that most of you may have obligations elsewhere, but would extend our heartiest invitation to join us in this series. If you feel that you may have sufficient time to attend with any regularity, we would certainly invite you to share your knowledge with us by contributing papers in some regular sequence. In any case, you are certainly invited to come share doughnuts and listen in on a ‘catch as catch can basis’ to what may be the presentation on any particular Thursday.”
Gene was truly a humble but inspiring individual who contributed greatly towards advancing the field of hyperthermia applied to cancer therapy. As we continue to investigate the use of hyperthermia in treating cancer, we shall acknowledge Dr. Robinson each year with the Eugene Robinson Memorial Lecture delivered at the annual meeting of the North American Hyperthermia Group. WILLIAM DEWEY, PH.D.
Radiation Oncology Research Laboratory Univ. California CED200 San Francisco, CA 94 143