Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
My research focuses on the application of mathematical models to enhance our understanding of biological responses to radiation, spanning a range of scales from individual cells to whole organisms.
In my PhD I developed models of how heavy-element nanoparticles impacted energy deposition in radiation therapy, with a focus on the use of gold nanoparticle to improve treatment outcomes. Comparison with experimental data led to the development of new models of biological response to these advanced exposures to better explain the nanoscale impact of these agents.
Following this, I have worked in a number of posts in both QUB and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, applying these techniques in a range of systems, including models of intercellular signalling, normal tissue complication, and intrinsic radiosensitivity.
I am continuing this work in my current post as a Queen's University Research Fellow within the CCRCB, building a portfolio of computational tools to better understand radiation responses, in systems such as proton therapy, nanoparticle-enhanced therapy, and radionuclide therapy. This work is being carried out with a range of national and international collaborators, including at the University of Manchester, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Oncoray Dresden.
Achievements
2018 recipient of the Radiation Research Society Jack Fowler Award for ourstanding junior investigators in radiobiology.
Recipient of a Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship from 2014-2017 in partnership with MGH.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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- 6 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Active
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R1176CNR: Individualising Radiotherapy through Mechanistic Models
McMahon, S. (PI) & Overton, I. (CoI)
22/04/2020 → …
Project: Research
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Benchmarking proton RBE models
Gardner, L. L., O'Connor, J. D. & McMahon, S. J., 21 Apr 2024, In: Physics in Medicine & Biology. 69, 8, 15 p., 085022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Citations (Scopus)16 Downloads (Pure) -
Laser-driven electron source suitable for of biological cells at dose rates exceeding 1010 Gy/s
McAnespie, C. A., Chaudhary, P., Calvin, L., Streeter, M. J. V., Nersysian, G., McMahon, S. J., Prise, K. M. & Sarri, G., 12 Sept 2024, (Early online date) In: Physical Review E. 110, 3, 035204 .Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Modelling radiobiology
Gardner, L. L., Thompson, S. J., O'Connor, J. D. & McMahon, S. J., 21 Sept 2024, In: Physics in Medicine & Biology. 69, 18, 40 p., 18TR01.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Citations (Scopus)8 Downloads (Pure) -
Monte Carlo damage models of different complexity levels predict similar trends in radiation induced DNA damage
Thompson, S. J., Prise, K. M. & McMahon, S. J., 07 Nov 2024, In: Physics in Medicine & Biology. 69, 21, 19 p., 215035.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)7 Downloads (Pure) -
Most DNA repair defects do not modify the relationship between relative biological effectiveness and linear energy transfer in CRISPR-edited cells
Liberal, F. D. C. G., Parsons, J. L. & McMahon, S. J., Jan 2024, In: Medical Physics. 51, 1, p. 591-600 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Citations (Scopus)32 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Roberts Best Paper Prize
McMahon, S. (Recipient) & Thompson, S. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Vice-chancellor’s Research Prize: Early Career Researcher
McMahon, S. (Recipient), 13 Jan 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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The majority of DNA repair deficiencies do not alter the correlation between relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and linear energy transfer (LET) in CRISPR-edited cells
McMahon, S. (Advisor) & Liberal, F. (Speaker)
09 Dec 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Monte Carlo Modelling of Kilovoltage Radiotherapy
McMahon, S. (Examiner)
08 Oct 2024Activity: Examination types › PhD external examination
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Modelling radiobiology: What has it taught us, and what do we still have to learn?
McMahon, S. (Speaker)
16 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
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Quantifying genetic dependencies of radiation responses after carbon ion irradiation
McMahon, S. (Advisor) & Liberal, F. (Speaker)
15 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Modelling Intrinsic Radiosensitivity: How far does DNA repair get us?
McMahon, S. (Speaker)
25 Jun 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
Press/Media
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Proton therapy for prostate cancer: does the evidence support the hype?
26/07/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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Tumour growth models shed light on radionuclide therapy
06/03/2019
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Tumour growth models shed light on radionuclide therapy
Prise, K., Liberal, F., O'Sullivan, J., McMahon, S. & Moreira, H.
06/03/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Radiosensitivity model addresses personalized therapy
McMahon, S., McNamara, A. L., Schuemann, J., Paganetti, H. & Prise, K.
06/10/2017
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Radiosensitization: which element is optimal?
McMahon, S., Paganetti, H. & Prise, K.
10/02/2016
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research