2025-2026 Webinar Series
Join The Society for Thermal Medicine’s Webinar Series, where innovation meets impact. Experience thought-provoking discussions led by leading experts as we explore cutting-edge topics that are shaping the future of thermal therapy and beyond!
Registration Fees
- STM Members: Free Access
- Non-Members: $25/webinar
Sessions Include
- Distinguished speakers
- High-Value content
- Global Relevance
Sponsorship by industry leaders in thermal technology
2025 Webinars
Reza Fazel-Rezai, Ph.D., SMIEEE, ABET PEV
AI Surrogate Modeling for Thermal Simulation
Recent advances in scientific and physics-informed machine learning have introduced a range of neural network architectures capable of approximating solutions to partial differential equations (PDEs), offering new opportunities for accelerating thermal simulations in medicine and engineering. This talk explores several AI-based surrogate modeling techniques, including Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), Fourier Neural Operators (FNOs), Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), and transformer-based approaches, for solving heat transfer problems governed by the heat equation. Using MATLAB, we demonstrate how these methods can be applied to simulate temperature distributions in 2D and 3D. We will show how to build and train these models in MATLAB, using training data generated from high-fidelity finite element simulations via Partial Differential Equation Toolbox.
- PINNs incorporate the governing PDE directly into the loss function, enabling mesh-free learning from sparse data. In addition to forward modeling, we show how PINNs can be used for inverse problems, such as estimating thermal conductivity from limited temperature measurements, which is necessary when direct measurement is impractical.
- FNOs learn maps between function spaces, offering fast inference on unseen conditions.
- GNNs operate on graph-structured data, making them well-suited for predicting temperature on complex geometries.
Dr. Robert J Griffin, PhD Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences / Department of Radiation Oncology / Radiation Biology section
"Hyperthermia enhances spatially-fractionated radiation and immunotherapy in pre-clinical tumor models"
2026 Webinars
Webinar Archive
Speaker: Dr. Dario Rodrigues, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
Webinar Summary*: Hyperthermia therapy (HT) enhances the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy by raising tumor temperatures to 40–44 °C for approximately one hour. Clinical devices based on microwave (MW) and radiofrequency (RF) energy offer versatile heating methods capable of treating a wide range of tumor sites, regardless of size or depth. This webinar will provide an overview of the physics underpinning MW/RF hyperthermia, the current generation of systems used for both local and regional heating, methods for temperature monitoring, and recent advances in treatment planning and real-time, MRI-guided noninvasive therapy.
Clinical hyperthermia can be delivered invasively or noninvasively through externally applied energy. MW-based systems (434 or 915 MHz) are primarily used for localized treatment of superficial and deep tumors, via external, intraluminal, or interstitial methods. In contrast, RF-based systems (70–120 MHz) are used for regional hyperthermia, particularly for pelvic and abdominal tumors, using phased-array applicators. Regardless of modality, temperature monitoring is essential for safe and effective treatment and relies on RF/MW-insensitive probes such as fiber-optic sensors or custom thermistors.
Hyperthermia is typically administered 1–3 times per week. As tissues heat, dynamic physiological responses such as increased blood flow alter energy absorption, requiring careful power adjustment and control. Continuous temperature monitoring, surface cooling, and patient feedback are critical for maintaining safety and avoiding complications such as pain or thermal injury from overheating.
Several technical challenges continue to limit optimal hyperthermia delivery, including bulky applicators, inadequate temperature monitoring capabilities, and rudimentary treatment planning software. Despite these challenges, dozens of clinical trials strongly support the use of adjuvant HT since it significantly improves curative and palliative clinical outcomes. Recent technological advances will further improve treatment delivery and reduce its complexity, which are pivotal components for expanding the use of HT at medical and radiation oncology centers.
*A recording of this webinar may be viewed in the “Resources” area of the STM Member’s Only Info Hub, gratis for all active and paid members.
Not an STM member? Become one today!
Speakers: Dr. Chris Osswald, PhD, Director and Global Segment Leader for Laser Therapy at ClearPoint Neuro (CLPT) and Verena Knappe, Chief Product Officer at Clinical Laserthermia Systems (CLS)
Webinar Summary*: The ClearPoint Prism® Neuro Laser Therapy System evolved from a system originally designed for immune stimulation. It has been optimized for focal ablations within the neurosurgery field and is the only commercially available, non-cooled neuro LITT system. Device background, performance metrics, and clinical utility will be presented.
*A recording of this webinar may be viewed in the “Resources” area of the STM Member’s Only Info Hub, gratis for all active and paid members.
Not an STM member? Become one today!