The Steering Committee for the USF Therapeutic Medical Physics Residency Program is composed of the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Vice Chair of Medical Physics, a board-certified radiation oncologist, clinical physicists, Chief Medical Physics Resident, Chief Dosimetrist, and Chief Therapist. This multidisciplinary committee reflects the collaborative environment of the Radiation Oncology Department, ensuring comprehensive oversight of resident education and training.

Current Members of the Steering Committee:

• Yu Kuang, Ph.D., DABR – Program Director
• Tianyu Zhao, Ph.D., DABR – Vice Chair of Medical Physics
• Ryder Schmidt, Ph.D. – Assistant Program Director
• Sean Collins, M.D., Ph.D, DABR – Attending Radiation Oncologist, Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs
• Hao Chen, Ph.D., DABR – Clinical Faculty Physicist
• Xiaohu Mo, M.S., DABR – Clinical Faculty Physicist
• Riley Tegtmeier, M.S., DABR – Clinical Faculty Physicist
• Jie Yang, Ph.D., DABR – Clinical Faculty Physicist
• Ashley Walsh, M.S., CMD, RT(T) – Chief Dosimetrist
• Marcia Chongton – Chief Radiation Therapist
• Sarah Bittle – Residency Program Coordinator

All trainees entering the Radiation Oncology Physics Residency Program must satisfy the CAMPEP standards for program admission. Applicants are required to demonstrate a strong foundation in basic physics, evidenced by one of the following academic backgrounds:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in physics
• A degree in engineering, mathematics, or another related science, plus the equivalent of a minor in physics, defined as at least three upper-level undergraduate physics courses (e.g., Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics or Statistical Mechanics. Please note introductory level courses don’t count)

In addition, applicants must meet one of the following educational criteria:

• Hold an M.S. or Ph.D. degree from a CAMPEP-accredited graduate program in Medical Physics
• Hold a Ph.D. in physics or a related discipline and have completed a CAMPEP-accredited certificate program in Medical Physics

The residency program spans two years (24 months), with training cohorts beginning on January 1 or July 1, as determined by the Residency Program Director.

A complete application must include the following materials:

• A completed residency application form
• A cover letter, including a personal statement outlining career goals and motivation for pursuing a career in medical physics
• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from both undergraduate and graduate institutions

After the application deadline, the Residency Program Coordinator will verify that all submissions are complete. The Therapeutic Medical Physics Residency Selection Committee (TMPRSC) will then review and score each application. A dedicated committee meeting will be held to discuss average scores and establish a preliminary ranking of candidates.

The top 20 candidates will be invited to participate in a preliminary phone interview. This step allows the TMPRSC to identify any candidates who may not be suitable for an in-person interview. Following these interviews, the top 10 candidates, as determined by a formal vote of the TMPRSC, will be invited for onsite interviews.

During the onsite interview, each candidate will meet with a majority (at least two-thirds) of the TMPRSC members, including at least one radiation oncologist. The visit, lasting approximately 6–8 hours, will include:

• A tour of the department
• A short presentation by the candidate highlighting their research experience
• Individual meetings with the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, faculty physicists, and dosimetrists

Evaluation criteria include:

• Academic performance
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Clinical aptitude and professionalism
• Prior clinical or research experience
• Research achievements

Each TMPRSC member will submit individual evaluation forms to the Program Coordinator. The final candidate selection will be based on the aggregate rankings of all interviewees.

For application process, please contact the program coordinator–

Sarah Bittle
sbittle@usf.edu
(813) 396-9132

Download Program Statistics

• Yu Kuang, Ph.D., DABR
  Program Director

• Ryder Schmidt, Ph.D.
  Assistant Program Director
  rschmidt@tgh.org

• Sarah Bittle
  Residency Program Coordinator
  sbittle@usf.edu
  (813) 396-9132

USF Health Department of Radiation Oncology
South Tampa Center for Advanced Healthcare
2 Tampa General Circle, Tampa FL 33606

The two-year residency is divided into 13 rotations during which the residents will go through different clinical specialty areas under the supervision of rotation-specific mentors. In addition, the residents are assigned a specific faculty adviser throughout the residency. The clinical rotations include:

Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Resident Rotation - Year 1

Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Resident Rotation - Year 2

Attendance at the following conferences is required (at least 75%):
Chart Rounds, Journal Club, M&M and Physics Presentations.

Residents receive an annual stipend commensurate starting from PGY-2 stipend based on USF Health General Medical Education (GME) guidelines

Please visit the USF Graduate Medical Education site on trainee stipend and benefits for the most up to date information. Each resident is provided with health, disability, professional liability, and life insurance coverage.

2025-2026 Resident Stipend Schedule

An educational fund totaling $5,000 is allocated to each resident—$2,500 during the first year and $2,500 during the second year—to support professional and academic development. Residents may use these funds to attend a national medical physics conference or to purchase medical physics textbooks and educational materials. To receive reimbursement, residents must follow USF reimbursement policy, secure prior approval and submit original receipts to the Program Coordinator. 

Please visit the USF GME Education Funds site for details.