The NIU Connection
- Northern Illinois University has a nationally-recognized program of long-standing in the
area of accelerator physics:
- NIU physicists helped discover elusive ‘top quark’ in 1995.
- NIU took over Fermilab neutron therapy program in 2004; fixed beam accelerator
used to treat several rare types of cancer.
- NIU chosen to develop next generation of particle accelerators in partnership with
Fermi and Argonne; awarded $6.2 million to create and run Northern Illinois Center
for Accelerator and Detector Development (NICADD).
- Of the many spin-offs from particle physics research, none are as promising as those in
medicine – particularly cancer treatment. NIU’s physics program has strong emphasis in
medical physics, with new degrees and emphases currently under development.
- Strong programs in allied health areas further complement NIU offerings in particle
therapy. Nursing, counseling, physical therapy, nutrition and speech/language/hearing
programs are all developing new degrees and emphases in oncology.
- NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology is working on new programs
in medical engineering – the creation, maintenance and operation of new, cutting-edge
medical devices and machines used in advanced cancer treatment and rehabilitation.
- The College of Education and several other NIU colleges involved in teacher preparation
are developing special tutoring and education programs for pediatric cancer patients.
- No other proton therapy treatment center provides this extent of “layered” services for
patients and families.
- Dedicated research space and access to accelerator beam provide extensive research
opportunities in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and all of the allied health areas;
also expanded educational opportunities for students.