Liyen Chen, Ph.D.
Hometown: Taiwan
Undergraduate Education: B.S. in Physics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan
Graduate Education: Master’s and Ph.D. in Health Physics and Medical Physics, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, MBA, Monroe University
Internship / Previous Experience: Senior Health Physicist, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dosimetry Lab Manager, Mirion Medical
What drew you to UAB: I was drawn to the University of Alabama at Birmingham because of its strong Radiation Oncology program, collaborative clinical environment, and relevant clinical research opportunities. I am very much looking forward to building a solid clinical foundation at UAB and combining it with my previous experience in radiation safety and research to explore opportunities for further development in patient care.
Hobbies outside of work: I enjoy outdoor activities, hiking, traveling, and watching baseball and football games.
Suman Gautam, Ph.D.
Hometown: Syangja, Nepal
Undergrad: B.Sc. Physics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Medical School: M.Sc., Solid State Physics, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois; Ph.D., Medical physics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Gautam recognized UAB’s collaborative and inclusive environment as the ideal setting to grow into a future leader in therapeutic medical physics. He was excited to train with state-of-the-art technologies such as the LINAC-based SRS/SBRT program, the Ethos adaptive platform, and the Varian proton system—all integral to advancing exceptional patient care. The program’s emphasis on innovation, multidisciplinary learning, and professional development aligned seamlessly with his aspirations. Beyond his academic pursuits, he enjoys hiking, taking long walks, and practicing meditation to maintain balance and focus.
Sean Jollota, Ph.D.
Hometown: Madison, WI
Undergrad: B.S. in Nuclear Engineering, The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
Medical School: Ph.D. and M.S. in Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Jollota was excited to match with UAB because the program aligns perfectly with what he values in residency: supportive mentors, a collaborative culture, and the chance to grow clinically while still contributing to meaningful research. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, staying active through hockey and lacrosse, and getting outdoors whenever he can.
Sen Nie, Ph.D.
Hometown: Hefei, China
Undergrad Education: B.S. in Automation, East China Jiaotong University, China
Graduate Education: M.S. in Control Theory and Control Engineering, East China Jiaotong University, China. Ph.D. in Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, China
What drew you to UAB: I was excited to come to UAB because of its strong clinical training, supportive learning environment, and opportunities for academic and research development, all of which aligned well with my goals in medical physics.
Hobbies outside of work: I enjoy spending time with family and hiking.