P. Torres-Sánchez

My research is focused in experimental nuclear physics with neutrons, specially towards its applications in medical physics (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, BNCT). I am currently at the Neutron Physics Group at University of Granada (UGR), where I started a PostDoctoral Contract in Dec 2022, following the defense of my thesis. Under the scope of my PhD, awarded with a FPU Grant, I researched on the measurement of neutron-induced nuclear reaction cross-sections at the facilities of the Neutron Time-of-Flight (n_TOF) Collaboration at CERN, of which I am a member since 2017. I have participated in the measurement of the 14N(n,p) and 35Cl(n,p) in short stays in Sep-Oct 2017; and the 35Cl(n,g) in a 1-month stay at CERN in 2018. Also I participated in a broader extent in other measurements at n_TOF. I have dedicated part of my thesis to the analysis of the 14N(n,p) cross-section, which has a large impact in neutron dosimetry, which has been sent for publication. I made short stays at Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (Seville) to characterize the samples used in the experiments, using the Rutherford Back-Scattering technique. Moreover, also within my thesis, I designed a device to produce neutron beams obtimized for BNCT using a low-energy proton accelerator. This led to a patent application and a publication, with a second one under review. Also I developed a Treatment Planning System for BNCT based on DICOM medical images and the MCNP Monte Carlo Code as the last part of my thesis. Part of these works were also included in a book Chapter and a journal publication. In addition, I participated, during my 3-month PhD stay in 2021 at CERN (Geneva, Switzerland), in the commissioning of the new NEAR Station at n_TOF. I used the multi-foil activation technique to characterize the neutron spectrum of this new experimental area. These results have been presented in the last Nuclear Data Conference (ND2022). I also applied this technique to the measurement of neutron spectra generated in fast neutron sources, as it has been done for the FANNILI experiment (Fast Neutrons from Nitrogen onto Lithium). I performed this experiment in May 2022 during a 2-week stay at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (Padova, Italy). I also worked on the complementary applications of the IFMIF-DONES Facility and presented in the I IFMIF-DONES Users Workshop; and more recently in the analysis of the thermal cross-section of the 33S(n,a) reaction made at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL). In 2017 I made a 4-month stay at ILL (Grenoble, France), where I developed the optimization of the cold neutron beamline ANNI, designed for particle physics experiments and proposed as part of the instrument suite of the European Spallation Source (ESS). Part of that work was presented on a proceeding and are currently part of a review paper. Due to the skills I learned there, I was later involved in neutron radiobiology studies with cold neutrons. In the period 2016-19, I made Monte Carlo simulations on neutron dosimetry, where I analyzed the upper limit of the neutron energy suitable for therapy, suggesting modifications on the recommendations established by IAEA. In 2015 I participated in a 1-month stay (granted) for the International Summer Student Programme at ILL and ESRF (Grenoble, France). I have presented my works in several national and international Congresses and meetings. I can highlight by number my contributions to the International Society for Neutron Capture Therapy (ISNCT) (7 orals, 4 posters) and the regular meetings of the n_TOF Collaboration (6 talks). I have been member of the Organizing Committee of the 19th International Congress on Neutron Capture Therapy and of the Organizing Committee and Scientific Committee of the 2022 Young Researchers Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Meeting, where I also contributed as chair in one session. Regarding teaching, I have imparted 18 ECTS in Física Cuántica, Estructura y Reacciones Nucleares and Radiactividad y Aplicaciones of the Physics Degree at UGR. I have also mentored 2 TFM students and I am co-directing a TFM currently. I have also imparted postgraduate courses in Monte Carlo codes for 20 h. I have received the Premio Nacional Fin de Carrera Universitaria for the Physics Degree. Also I received the Premio Extraordinario Fin de Grado en Física from UGR, the Premio a la Excelencia Académica from the Academia de Ciencias de Granada and the Premio a la Excelencia en el Rendimiento Académico from UGR-Caja Rural de Granada. I am involved in outreach, mainly as member of the Communication Task Force of the ISNCT, as responsible of the repository, and also participating in the Semana de la Ciencia Events.