Aidan Leong, Research Profile, Radiation Therapy, Our people, University of Otago, Wellington

Aidan Leong image MHealSc, BHealSc(Hons)
Senior Lecturer

Contact details

Tel +64 4 385 5475
Email aidan.leong@otago.ac.nz

Aidan completed his training as a radiation therapist in 2006 at the University of Otago. Since then, he has worked in a range of clinical roles both in New Zealand and in Europe. Aidan also gained experience in preclinical research during a post-graduate placement at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research.

Research interests and activities

Aidan's research interests are primarily focused on the implementation of novel technologies within the evolving radiation therapy environment. This includes image-guidance, motion management and stereotactic treatment workflows.

Aidan also has an interest in the use of technology to enhance student, practitioner, and patient education. This includes the use of virtual clinical environments as well as systems that enable remote collaboration and engagament.

In addition, Aidan has invovlement in projects relating to radiation therapy toxicity management and the role of patient-reported outcomes.

Publications

Ormsby, K., & Leong, A. (2025). Opportunities/risks of generative AI to support information needs of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(Suppl. 1), (pp. 76). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.863 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A., Nguyen, H., & Archibald-Heeren, B. (2025). VMAT integrating static angle ports and dynamic collimator rotation: Training needs for a new modality. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(Suppl. 1), (pp. 32). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.863 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Taylor-Brown, M., Leong, A., & Edwards, C. (2025). Development of a scalable education and training program for surface guided radiation therapy. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(Suppl. 1), (pp. 24). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.863 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hauville, S., Leong, A., Phung, P., & Archibald-Heeren, B. (2025). Clinical experience on a Halcyon linac with the HyperSight imaging system. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(Suppl. 1), (pp. 16). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.863 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Edwards, M., Blight, B., Nguyen, H. N., & Leong, A. (2025). A pilot project in the utilisation of AI-assist structures for target volume delineation. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(Suppl. 1), (pp. 14). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.863 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2025

Chapter in Book - Research

Turner, S., Liebermann, E., Golden, D. W., Leong, A., Mutebi, M., & Eriksen, J. G. (2025). Health professions education. In M. Giuliani, M. K. Gospodarowicz, J. D. Brierley & R. Sullivan (Eds.), Cancer systems and control for health professionals. (pp. 215-226). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A., Nguyen, H., Archibald-Heeren, B., & Hu, Y. (2025). Opportunities and learnings through network-wide standardisation of AI contouring across 33 departments. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(Suppl. 1), (pp. 12). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.863

Summers, A., & Leong, A. (2025). From welcome to workflows: Onboarding for radiation therapists. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(Suppl. 1), (pp. 88). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.864

2024

Journal - Research Article

Opie, C., Leong, A., Vartak, C., Ward, I., & Ndarukwa, S. (2024). ASPRONET: A facilitated online education project for radiation therapists in the Asia-Pacific region. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 32, 100283. doi: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100283

Hiscoke, K., Leong, A., Hogan, A. M., & Cowley, I. (2024). Plan quality assessment of modern radiosurgery technologies in the treatment of multiple brain metastases. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, 10, 025021. doi: 10.1088/2057-1976/ad218f

Flockton, A., Leong, A., Gilfillan, D., & Larsen, P. (2024). A multi-centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 71(1), 91-99. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.745

Journal - Research Other

Campbell, M., Leong, A., & Scherer, P. (2024). Evaluation of RTT education – is it fit for the present: A report on the ESTRO radiation therapist workshop. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 30, 100246. doi: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2024.100246

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A., Nguyen, H., Archibald-Heeren, B., & Hu, Y. (2024). Network-wide implementation and uptake of an AI contouring platform: 33 departments in 20 days. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 197(Suppl. 1), 232. doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(24)04075-1

Leong, A., Flockton, A., Nguyen, H., Archibald-Heeren, B., & Hu, Y. (2024). Clinician experience with an AI-enhanced target delineation workflow: A mixed-methods pilot study. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 197(Suppl. 1), 238. doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(24)04078-7

Leong, A., Opie, C., Vartak, C., & Ward, I. (2024). Opportunities and learnings from two-years of online education sessions for RTTs across Asia-Pacific. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 197(Suppl. 1), 242. doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(24)04079-9

Opie, C., Leong, A., & Vartak, C. (2024). ASPRONET: An IAEA facilitated online education project for radiation therapy technologists in the Asia-Pacific region. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 71(Suppl. 1), (pp. 8). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.766

2023

Journal - Research Article

Mast, M. E., Leong, A., Korreman, S. S., Lee, G., Probst, H., Scherer, P., & Tsang, Y. (2023). ESTRO-ACROP guideline for positioning, immobilisation and setup verification for local and loco-regional photon breast cancer irradiation. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 28, 100219. doi: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2023.100219

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

McCafferty, R., Dalzell, S., & Leong, A. (2023). Development of a patient-centred program to manage radiotherapy mask anxiety and claustrophobia. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 182(Suppl. 1), (pp. S2055-S2056). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(23)67200-7

Mckee, G., Rutten, L., Larsen, P., & Leong, A. (2023). Feasibility and compliance of StrataXRT in treatment of radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 182(Suppl. 1), (pp. S976-S977). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(23)09217-4

Leong, A., Kirrane, S., Huang, B., & Smith, C. (2023). Internationally led remote IGRT training and outcomes for RTTs in Mainland China. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 182(Suppl. 1), (pp. S602-S603). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(23)08972-7

Leong, A., Opie, C., Vartak, C., & Ward, I. (2023). Online education sessions for RTTs of low- and middle-income countries in Asia-Pacific. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 182(Suppl. 1), (pp. S597-S598). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(23)08966-1

Huang, B., & Leong, A. (2023). Past, present and future of RTT training in mainland China: Evaluation of trainee perspectives. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 70(Suppl. 1), (pp. 91). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.665

Flockton, A., & Leong, A. (2023). A national survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 70(Suppl. 1), (pp. 18). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.664

2022

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A. (2022). Implementation of remote clinical training for radiation therapists in China during a global pandemic. Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT) Annual National Conference. Retrieved from https://regenerate2022.com/

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Leong, A. (2022, August). Prolonged management of oligometastatic prostate cancer with surveillance and SABR to six involved lymph nodes. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT) Annual National Conference, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

2021

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A., & Taylor, A. (2021). Accuracy and intrafractional stability of deep inspiration breath-hold using a wireless visual coaching device. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 68, (pp. 46). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.481

Leong, A., Burgess, E., & Caravana, R. (2021). Implementation of patient-reported outcome measures into standard practice during breast radiation therapy. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 68, (pp. 40). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.481

Leong, A. (2021). Automated non-co-planar stereotactic treatment of multiple brain metastases: A case study. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 68, (pp. 16). doi: 10.1002/jmrs.481

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Leech, M., Wadhawan, G. S., Opoku, S., Dijcks, C., Ryan, J., Coffey, M., & Leong, A. (2021, February). The current status of RT education in their region and opinions on the challenges and opportunities for RTTs in the coming decade. Panel discussion at the International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO), [Online].

Leong, A. (2021, February). The advancing and changing role of the RTT. Verbal presentation at the International Conference on Advances in Radiation Oncology (ICARO), [Online].

Leong, A. (2021, May). Accuracy and intrafractional stability of DIBH using wireless VCD. Verbal presentation at the Transforming Radiation Oncology (TRON) Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Leong, A. (2021, May). Implementation of patient-reported outcomes to improve care during radiation therapy. Verbal presentation at the Transforming Radiation Oncology (TRON) Conference, Hamilton, New Zealand.

2020

Journal - Research Article

Kearney, M., Coffey, M., & Leong, A. (2020). A review of image guided radiation therapy in head and neck cancer from 2009–2019: Best practice recommendations for RTTs in the clinic. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 14, 43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2020.02.002

Summerfield, J., & Leong, A. (2020). Management of radiation therapy-induced vaginal adhesions and stenosis: A New Zealand survey of current practice. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 67, 128-133. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.386

2018

Journal - Research Article

Leong, A., Herst, P., & Kane, P. (2018). VERT, a virtual clinical environment, enhances understanding of radiation therapy planning concepts. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 65(2), 97-105. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.272

2016

Journal - Research Other

Montgomerie, D., Kane, J. P., Leong, A., & Mudie, B. (2016). Enhancing conceptual knowledge: An approach to using Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training in the the classroom. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 15(2), 203-206. doi: 10.1017/S1460396916000157

2015

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A. (2015). Against the motion Online position verification is mandatory for all tumour sites [Debate]. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 115(Suppl. 1), (pp. S305-S306). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(15)40623-1

Leong, A., Clarkson, G., Lang, S., Zamburlini, M., Cavelaars, F., & Winter, C. (2015). Practical optimisation of static KV and CBCT imaging dose. Strahlentherapie & Onkologie, 191(1), (pp. 94). doi: 10.1007/s00066-014-0768-0

Tini, M., Cavelaars, F., Lang, S., Leong, A., Brown, M., & Winter, C. (2015). Evaluation of patient stability and treatment efficiency comparing adapted versus standard srt using the trupoint arch. Strahlentherapie & Onkologie, 191(1), (pp. 94). doi: 10.1007/s00066-014-0768-0

Leong, A., Kane, P., & Herst, P. (2015). Development and implementation of a treatment planning teaching module utilising an immersive 3D simulation system. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 115(Suppl. 1), (pp. S614). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(15)41122-3

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Leong, A., Kane, P., & Herst, P. (2015, October). Development and implementation of a radiation treatment planning teaching module utilising an immersive 3D simulation system. Poster session presented at the Otago Spotlight Series: Cancer Research, Wellington, New Zealand.

Leong, A., Kane, P., & Herst, P. (2015, April). Development and implementation of a treatment planning teaching module utilising an immersive 3D simulation system. Poster session presented at the 3rd European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) Forum, Barcelona, Spain.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Scherer, P., & Leong, A. (2015, April). Online position verification is mandatory for all tumour sites [Debate]. Verbal presentation at the 3rd European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) Forum, Barcelona, Spain.

2014

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A., Clarkson, G., Lang, S., Zamburlini, M., Cavelaars, F., & Winter, C. (2014). Practical optimisation of kV and CBCT imaging dose. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 111(Suppl. 1), (pp. S109). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(15)30386-8

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Leong, A., Clarkson, G., Lang, S., Zamburlini, M., Cavelaars, F., & Winter, C. (2014, March). Practical optimisation of static KV and CBCT imaging dose. Verbal presentation at the 18th Annual Scientific Association of Swiss Radiation Oncology (SASRO) Meeting, Lugano, Switzerland.

Leong, A., Clarkson, G., Lang, S., Zamburlini, M., Cavelaars, F., & Winter, C. (2014, April). Practical optimisation of kV and CBCT imaging dose. Verbal presentation at the 33rd European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) Congress, Vienna, Austria.

2013

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A., Lang, S., Graydon, S., Riesterer, O., Klöck, S., & Winter, C. (2013). 4DCT motion analysis of distinct liver regions during respiration with and without abdominal compression. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 106(Suppl. 2), (pp. S63). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(15)32469-5

Leong, A., Pavic, M., & Winter, C. (2013). Integration of a 3D virtual radiation therapy environment system for clinical patient education. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 87(2 Suppl.), (pp. S489). doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2013.06.1292

Leong, A., Lang, S., Graydon, S., Riesterer, O., Klöck, S., & Winter, C. (2013). 4DCT motion analysis of distinct liver regions during respiration with and without abdominal compression. Strahlentherapie & Onkologie, 189(12), (pp. 1079). doi: 10.1007/s00066-013-0458-3

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Leong, A., Pavic, M., & Winter, C. (2013, September). Integration of a 3D virtual radiotherapy environment system for clinical patient education. Poster session presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Leong, A., Lang, S., Graydon, S., Riesterer, O., Klöck, S., & Winter, C. (2013, July). 4DCT motion analysis of distinct liver regions during respiration with and without abdominal compression. Verbal presentation at the 17th Annual Scientific Association of Swiss Radiation Oncology, Davos, Switzerland.

Leong, A., Lang, S., Graydon, S., Riesterer, O., Klöck, S., & Winter, C. (2013, April). 4DCT motion analysis of distinct liver regions during respiration with and without abdominal compression. Verbal presentation at the 2nd European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) Forum, Geneva, Switzerland.

2012

Journal - Research Article

Lang, S., Hrbacek, J., Leong, A., & Klöck, S. (2012). Ion-recombination correction for different ionization chambers in high dose rate flattening-filter-free photon beams. Physics in Medicine & Biology, 57, 2819-2827. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/57/9/2819

Leong, A. G., Herst, P. M., & Harper, J. L. (2012). Indigenous New Zealand honeys exhibit multiple anti-inflammatory activities. Innate Immunity, 18(3), 459-466. doi: 10.1177/1753425911422263

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Pavic, M., Leong, A., Winter, C., & Imboden, A. (2012). Neue technologien bei der ausbildung von studierenden in der radio-onkolgie: Nouvelles technologies de formation des étudiants en radio-oncologie [New technology for the training of students in radio-oncology]. Aktuell, March, 16-19.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Leong, A., Imboden, A., Pavic, M., & Winter, C. (2012). Implementation and integration of a 3D virtual radiotherapy environment system within a clinical setting. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 103(Suppl. 1), (pp. S141). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(12)70690-4

Tini, A., Leong, A., Lang, M., Kovacs, M., Winter, C., Oehler, C., & Zwahlen, D. (2012). Set-up accuracy and intra-fractional motion in VMAT prostate treatments. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 103(Suppl. 1), (pp. S93-S94). doi: 10.1016/S0167-8140(12)70575-3

Tini, A., Leong, A., Lang, S., Winter, C., Kovacs, M., Oehler, C., & Zwahlen, D. (2012). Set-up accuracy and intra-functional motion in VMAT prostate treatments. Strahlentherapie & Onkologie, 188(8), (pp. 735). doi: 10.1007/s00066-012-0181-5

Leong, A., Imboden, A., Pavic, M., & Winter, C. (2012). Implementation and integration of a 3D virtual radiotherapy environment system within a clinical setting. Strahlentherapie & Onkologie, 188(8), (pp. 734-735). doi: 10.1007/s00066-012-0181-5

Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)

Leong, A., Imboden, A., Pavic, M., & Winter, C. (2012, May). Implementation and integration of a 3D virtual radiotherapy environment system within a clinical setting. Poster session presented at the 31st European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO) Congress, Barcelona, Spain.

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Tini, M., Leong, A., Lang, S., Winter, C., Kovacs, M., Oehler, C., & Zwahlen, D. (2012, April). Set-up accuracy and intra-fractional motion in VMAT prostate treatments. Verbal presentation at the 16th Annual Scientific Association of Swiss Radiation Oncology (SASRO), Winterthur, Switzerland.

Leong, A., Imboden, A., Pavic, M., & Winter, C. (2012, April). Implementation and integration of a 3D virtual radiotherapy environment system within a clinical setting. Verbal presentation at the 16th Annual Scientific Association of Swiss Radiation Oncology (SASRO), Winterthur, Switzerland.