CV

General Information

Full Name Dr. Niklas Wahl
Date of Birth 26th June 1988
Languages German, English

Education

  • 2018
    Dr. rer.-nat.
    Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Germany
    • conducted in the Department of Medical Physics in Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center -- DKFZ
    • Thesis
      • Analytical models for Probabilistic Inverse Treatment Planning in Intensity-modulated Proton Therapy
      • graded summa cum laude
      • advised by Prof. Jürgen Hesser, Prof. Oliver Jäkel
  • 2014
    Master of Science
    Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Germany
    • in Physics at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
    • grade: very good
    • thesis title: Automated Voxel-based Penalty Adaption for ultra-fast Treatment Planning in Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy
  • 2011
    Bachelor of Science
    Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Germany
    • in Physics at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
    • grade: good
    • thesis title: Performance of the local on-line Tracking and of a Track-based Jet Trigger Algorithm for the ALICE TRD on the Basis of Monte-Carlo Simulations

Experience

  • since 2019
    Research Scientist and Group Leader
    Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum - DKFZ, Germany
    • leading a research team focusing on and
      • the development and implementation of physical, biological and numerical models in the context of radiotherapy treatment planning
      • maintaining the open source dose calculation and treatment planning toolkit matRad
  • 2018 - 2019
    Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Coordinator
    Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum - DKFZ, Germany
    • research in uncertainty quantification and probabilistic/robust treatment planning for particle therapy
    • maintaining the open source toolkit matRad
    • coordination of the Chilean-German Consortium for Medical Physics in Radiation Oncology (CGCoMPRO)
  • 2015 - 2018
    Doctoral student (PhD Candidate)
    Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum - DKFZ, Germany
  • 2014
    Research Assistant
    Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum - DKFZ
  • 2010 - 2014
    Student Teaching Assistant
    Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Germany
    • teaching practical courses on a regular basis:
      • beginner’s practical physics course
      • practical physics course for medical students
      • practical physics course for students of biotechnology

Open Source Projects

  • 2015-now
    matRad
    • An open-source dose calculation and treatment planning toolkit for radiotherapy research and education

Honors and Awards

  • 2021
    • Appointed Associate Editor, Medical Physics Journal, Wiley
    • Distinguished Reviewer, Medical Physics Journal, Wiley
  • 2019
    • DEGRO Dissertationspreis
  • 2017
    • DKFZ PhD Poster Award, Travel Grant
  • 2016
    • Winner Science Slam, NCRO Meeting Dresden
  • 2006
    • Jugend denkt Zukunft, national winning team

Academic Interests

  • Radiation Therapy
    • IMRT / IMPT
    • Robust planning and uncertainty quantification
    • ML and AI in radiotherapy

Other Interests

  • Hobbies: Piano, Hiking, Snowboarding, Gaming