Carola Villa

My doctoral research focuses on the use of laser-plasma electron accelerators for radiotherapy, with particular emphasis on very-high-energy electrons (VHEE) and their potential for future cancer treatments.

Laser-plasma accelerators use intense laser pulses interacting with a plasma to generate strong electric fields capable of accelerating electrons to high energies over very short distances. This makes them considerably more compact than conventional accelerators designed to produce electron beams at comparable energies. These high-energy electron beams can penetrate deep into tissue, making them potentially suitable for the treatment of deep-seated tumours. Laser-plasma accelerators can also generate ultrashort electron pulses at high repetition rates, making them particularly interesting for studying irradiation at ultra-high dose rates and the FLASH effect, which could potentially reduce damage to healthy tissue while maintaining an effective dose to the tumour.

A major part of my research focuses on the experimental characterisation and dosimetry of VHEE beams. This includes studying beam properties and control, measuring dose distributions, and investigating different dosimetric techniques and radiation detectors. The project also explores advanced 3D dosimetry and how laser-driven VHEE beams could eventually be integrated into radiotherapy treatment planning.

As part of my doctoral studies, I will also conduct research at the University of Oxford, focusing on the radiobiological aspects of FLASH radiotherapy.

The overall goal of my research is to contribute to the development of compact laser-driven VHEE technology and to evaluate its potential for precise and effective future cancer treatments.