Leo Garcia's field is medical physics. He is researching the use of ultrasound in detecting and diagnosing cancer tumours. He has been developing algorithms that can detect the elasticity of tumours using standard 2D ultrasound scanners and is now investigating whether 3D ultrasound will work even better. During his visit to Kingsbury High School he shows the students how an ultrasound scanner works by demonstrating it on their class teacher. Leo then gives some background into cancer and goes on to explain how cancerous tumours grow. He also uses a sorting game with the students, to help them understand elasticity and how it relates to finding cancerous tumours in the body. Back in his lab at the Institute of Cancer Research, Leo demonstrates how his specially-developed ultrasound equipment can clearly identify tumours where normal ultrasound would fail.

Video Series: STEM Career Role Models
Release Date 2009