Premavathy Rassiah

Premavathy Rassiah, PhD, MSci

Languages spoken: Malay, English, Tamil

Academic Information

Departments Primary - Radiation Oncology

Board Certification

  • American Board of Radiology

Prema Rassiah, PhD, is a Professor and chief of medical physics in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Utah and the Huntsman Cancer Hospital (HCH).


She obtained her degree of doctor of philosophy in medical physics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2005. Before commencing her PhD, she was a fellow of the World Health Organization at Stanford University Medical Center. She is an active member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the American Board of Radiology, American College of Radiology and the Children's Oncology Group.

Her clinical and research interests include Dosimetric algorithms and Total Body Irradiation.

Education History

Doctoral Training University of Texas, Health Sciences Center
 PhD
Other Training Stanford University
 Certificate
Other Training Prince of Wales Hospital
 Certificate
Other Training Peter Mac Callum Cancer Institute
 Certificate
Graduate Training University Science Malaysia
 MS
Undergraduate University Science Malaysia
 BS

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Harkenrider MM, Albuquerque K, Brown D, Kamrava M, King M, Mourtada F, Orio P, Patel R, Price M, Rassiah P, Solanki AA, Small W Jr, Schechter NR (2021). ACR-ABS-ASTRO practice parameter for the performance of radionuclide-based high-dose-rate brachytherapy. Brachytherapy, 20(6), 1071-1082. (Read full article)
  2. Vogel J, Hui S, Hua CH, Dusenbery K, Rassiah P, Kalapurakal J, Constine L, Esiashvili N (2021). Pulmonary Toxicity After Total Body Irradiation - Critical Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Toxicity Reporting. Front Oncol, 11, 708906. (Read full article)
  3. Rassiah P, Esiashvili N, Olch AJ, Hua CH, Ulin K, Molineu A, Marcus K, Gopalakrishnan M, Pillai S, Kovalchuk N, Liu A, Niyazov G, Peagarcano J, Cheung F, Olson AC, Wu CC, Malhotra HK, MacEwan IJ, Faught J, Breneman JC, Followill DS, FitzGerald TJ, Kalapurakal JA (2021). Practice Patterns of Pediatric Total Body Irradiation Techniques: A Children's Oncology Group Survey. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. (Read full article)
  4. Szegedi M, Sarkar V, Paxton A, Rassiah P, Salter BJ (2021). Seismic reinforcement of a linac installation. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 22(4), 166-171. (Read full article)
  5. Sarkar V, Lloyd S, Paxton A, Dial C, Rassiah P, Szegedi MW, Hitchcock YJ, Salter BJ (2021). Evaluation of the dosimetric impact of changes in shoulder position on target coverage for spine SBRT to metastases in the lower cervical spine region. J Radiosurg SBRT, 7(4), 321-328. (Read full article)
  6. Paxton AB, Sarkar V, Kunz JN, Szegedi M, Zhao H, Huang YJ, Nelson G, Rassiah P, Su FF, Salter BJ (2020). Evaluation of the effects of implementing a diode transmission device into the clinical workflow. Phys Med, 80, 335-341. (Read full article)
  7. Szegedi M, Boehm C, Paxton A, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Sarkar V, Zhao H, Su F, Kokeny KE, Lloyd S, Tward J, Salter BJ (2020). Comparison of transperineal ultrasound image guidance technique to transabdominal technique for prostate radiation therapy. Med Phys, 47(12), 6113-6121. (Read full article)
  8. Zhao H, Paxton A, Sarkar V, Huang YJ, Frances Su FC, Haacke C, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Szegedi M, Salter B (2020). Prevention of Radiation Therapy Treatment Deviations by a Novel Combined Biometric, Radiofrequency Identification, and Surface Imaging System. Pract Radiat Oncol, 11(2), e229-e235. (Read full article)
  9. Rassiah P, Su FF, Huang YJ, Spitznagel D, Sarkar V, Szegedi MW, Zhao H, Paxton AB, Nelson G, Salter BJ (2020). Using failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) to generate an initial plan check checklist for improved safety in radiation treatment. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 21(8), 83-91. (Read full article)
  10. Sarkar V, Szegedi M, Paxton A, Nelson G, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Reddy CB, Tao R, Hitchcock YJ, Kokeny KE, Salter BJ (2020). Preliminary clinical experience with Calypso anchored beacons for tumor tracking in lung SBRT. Med Phys, 47(9), 4407-4415. (Read full article)
  11. Su FF, Huang YJ, Rassiah P, Salter BJ (2020). FMEA-guided transition from microSelectron to Flexitron for HDR brachytherapy. Brachytherapy, 19(2), 241-248. (Read full article)
  12. Sarkar V, Paxton A, Rassiah P, Kokeny KE, Hitchcock YJ, Salter BJ (2020). Evaluation of dose distribution differences from five algorithms implemented in three commercial treatment planning systems for lung SBRT. J Radiosurg SBRT, 7(1), 57-66. (Read full article)
  13. Zhao H, Williams N, Poppe M, Sarkar V, Wang B, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Huang YJ, Kokeny K, Gaffney D, Salter B (2019). Comparison of surface guidance and target matching for image-guided accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Med Phys, 46(11), 4717-4724. (Read full article)
  14. Sarkar V, Paxton A, Kunz J, Szegedi M, Nelson G, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Zhao H, Huang YJ, Su F, Salter BJ (2019). A systematic evaluation of the error detection abilities of a new diode transmission detector. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 20(9), 122-132. (Read full article)
  15. Sarkar V, Paxton A, Szegedi MW, Zhao H, Huang L, Nelson G, Huang YJ, Su F, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Salter BJ (2019). An evaluation of the consistency of shifts reported by three different systems for non-coplanar treatments. J Radiosurg SBRT.
  16. Zhao H, Sarkar V, Wang B, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Szegedi M, Jessica Huang Y, Huang L, Tward J, Salter B (2019). Calculation of delivered composite dose from Calypso tracking data for prostate cancer: And subsequent evaluation of reasonable treatment interruption tolerance limits. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 20(8), 105-113. (Read full article)
  17. Huang YJ, Su FF, Gaffney DK, Kokeny KE, Zhao H, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Salter BJ, Poppe MM (2018). Skin dose estimation using virtual structures for Contura Multi-Lumen Balloon breast brachytherapy. Brachytherapy, 17(6), 956-965. (Read full article)
  18. Sarkar V, Paxton A, Szegedi MW, Zhao H, Huang L, Nelson G, Huang YJ, Su F, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Salter BJ (2018). An evaluation of the consistency of shifts reported by three different systems for non-coplanar treatments. J Radiosurg SBRT, 5(4), 323-330. (Read full article)
  19. Gonzalez VJ, Hullett CR, Burt L, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Sarkar V, Tward JD, Hazard LJ, Huang YJ, Salter BJ, Gaffney DK (2017). Impact of prone versus supine positioning on small bowel dose with pelvic intensity modulated radiation therapy. Adv Radiat Oncol, 2(2), 235-243. (Read full article)
  20. Salter BJ, Szegedi M, Boehm C, Sarkar V, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Wang B, Zhao H, Huang J, Huang L, Kokeny K, Tward JD (2016). Comparison of 2 transabdominal ultrasound image guidance techniques for prostate and prostatic fossa radiation therapy. Pract Radiat Oncol, 7(2), e99-e107. (Read full article)
  21. Zhao H, Wang B, Sarkar V, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Huang YJ, Szegedi M, Huang L, Gonzalez V, Salter B (2016). Comparison of surface matching and target matching for image-guided pelvic radiation therapy for both supine and prone patient positions. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 17(3), 14-24. (Read full article)
  22. Huang YJ, Harrison A, Sarkar V, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Zhao H, Szegedi M, Huang L, Wilson B, Gaffney DK, Salter BJ (2016). Detection of late radiation damage on left atrial fibrosis using cardiac late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging. Adv Radiat Oncol, 1(2), 106-114. (Read full article)
  23. Zhao H, Sarkar V, Rassiah-Szegedi P (01/06/2016). Comparison of CT-on-rails and a 3D surface imaging system for image guided pelvic radiation therapy for both supine and prone patient positions. J Appl Clin Med Phys.
  24. Sarkar V, Huang L, Huang YJ, Szegedi MW, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Zhao H, Hitchcock YJ, Kokeny KE, Wang B, Salter BJ (2018). Dosimetric evaluation of abdominal compression as a method to reduce the incidence of radiation-induced pneumonitis in lung SBRT treatment. J Radiosurg SBRT, 4(2), 125-132. (Read full article)
  25. Sarkar V, Huang L, Huang YJ, Szegedi MW, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Zhao H, Salter BJ (2018). Head to head comparison of two commercial phantoms used for SRS QA. J Radiosurg SBRT, 4(3), 213-223. (Read full article)
  26. Sarkar V, Huang L, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Zhao H, Huang J, Szegedi M, Salter BJ (2015). Planning for mARC treatments with the Eclipse treatment planning system. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 16(2), 5351. (Read full article)
  27. Rassiah-Szegedi P, Szegedi M, Sarkar V, Streitmatter S, Huang YJ, Zhao H, Salter B (2014). Dosimetric impact of the 160 MLC on head and neck IMRT treatments. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 15(6), 4770. (Read full article)
  28. Szegedi M, Hinkle J, Rassiah P, Sarkar V, Wang B, Joshi S, Salter B (2013). Four-dimensional tissue deformation reconstruction (4D TDR) validation using a real tissue phantom. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 14(1), 4012. (Read full article)
  29. Szegedi M, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Sarkar V, Hinkle J, Wang B, Huang YH, Zhao H, Joshi S, Salter BJ (2012). Tissue characterization using a phantom to validate four-dimensional tissue deformation. Med Phys, 39(10), 6065-70. (Read full article)
  30. Sarkar V, Wang B, Hinkle J, Gonzalez VJ, Hitchcock YJ, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Joshi S, Salter BJ (2011). Dosimetric evaluation of a "virtual" image-guidance alternative to explicit 6 degree of freedom robotic couch correction. Pract Radiat Oncol, 2(2), 122-37. (Read full article)
  31. Szegedi M, Sarkar V, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Wang B, Huang YJ, Zhao H, Salter B (2012). 4D CT image acquisition errors in SBRT of liver identified using correlation. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 13(1), 3564. (Read full article)
  32. Rassiah-Szegedi P, Wang B, Szegedi M, Tward J, Zhao H, Huang YJ, Sarkar V, Shrieve D, Salter B (2011). Individualized margins for prostate patients using a wireless localization and tracking system. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 12(3), 3516. (Read full article)
  33. Salter BJ, Sarkar V, Wang B, Shukla H, Szegedi M, Rassiah-Szegedi P (2011). Rotational IMRT delivery using a digital linear accelerator in very high dose rate 'burst mode'. Phys Med Biol, 56(7), 1931-46. (Read full article)
  34. Wang B, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Zhao H, Huang YJ, Sarkar V, Szegedi M, Kokeny KE, Anker CJ, Shrieve DC, Salter BJ (2011). Initial experience and clinical comparison of two image guidance methods for SBRT treatment: 4DCT versus respiratory-triggered imaging. J Appl Clin Med Phys, 12(3), 3429. (Read full article)
  35. Salter BJ, Fuss M, Sarkar V, Wang B, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Papanikolaou N, Hollingshaus S, Shrieve DC (2008). Optimization of isocenter location for intensity modulated stereotactic treatment of small intracranial targets. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 73(2), 546-55. (Read full article)
  36. Salter BJ, Wang B, Szegedi MW, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Shrieve DC, Cheng R, Fuss M (2008). Evaluation of alignment error due to a speed artifact in stereotactic ultrasound image guidance. Phys Med Biol, 53(23), N437-45. (Read full article)
  37. Rassiah P, Salter BJ, Fuller CD, Blough M, Papanikolaou N, Fuss M (2006). Monte Carlo characterization of target doses in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Acta Oncol, 45 (7), 989-94.

Abstract

  1. H Zhao, V Sarkar, A Paxton, P Rassiah-Szegedi, Y Huang, M Szegedi, L Huang, F Su, B Salter (04/19/2016). Feasibility of Supraclavicular Field Treatment by Investigating Variation of Junction Position Between Breast Tangential and Supraclavicular Fields for Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) Left Breast Radiation [Abstract]. 58th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine in Washington, DC from July 31 - August 4, 2016.
  2. Wang B, Sarkar V, Busselberg C, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Zhao H, Huang Y, Szegedi M, Salter B (2017). SU-E-T-404: A Prototype Program for Analyzing 4D Image Guidance Shifts for Lung SBRT. [Abstract]. Med Phys, 39(6Part16), 3797. (Read full article)
  3. Zhao H, Wang B, Rassiah-Szegedi P, Sarkar V, Huang Y, Szegedi M, Gonzalez V, Salter B (2017). SU-E-J-60: Comparison of CT-On-Rails and a 3D Surface Imaging System for Image Guided Pelvic Radiation Therapy for Both Supine and Prone Patient Positions. [Abstract]. Med Phys, 39(6Part6), 3666. (Read full article)