Mr Michael Gornall

Clinical scientist Michael Gornall has eleven years of experience in nuclear medicine. dedicated to the safe and effective application of radionuclides for both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic treatments. For over a decade, his work has centred on the development of robust protocols, comprehensive risk assessments, and accurate dosimetry methods. In 2023, he achieved a significant professional milestone, becoming the first Nuclear Medicine physicist in Manchester to gain accreditation as a Medical Physics Expert (MPE) under the new scheme established by the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IRMER 2017). His expertise encompasses the use of radionuclides in diagnosing & treating a wide range of conditions, both malignant and non-malignant. This includes therapies such as Lu-1 77 PRRT, Y-90/Ho-166 SIRT. 1-131 Iodide/mlBG, and Ra-223. Michael also actively contributes to advancements in novel PET-CT imaging, utilising radionuclides like Ga-68 (DOTA and PSMA), F-18 (FDG and PSMA), Rb-82 (myocardial perfusion), and Y-90 for post-SIRT dosimetry. Beyond specific treatments. Michael is involved in broader radiation protection practices. He focuses on optimising patient exposures while simultaneously minimising radiation dose to staff and the public. He possesses a strong understanding of the risks associated with radiation exposure, and expertly balances these with regulatory requirements and best practice guidelines. His experience extends to all facets of the safe handling and application of radiation and radioactive materials.

Michael has a focus on optimising imaging and therapeutic techniques, with expertise in the precise planning and dosimetry of radionuclide therapies and ensuring robust radiation protection programs.

Michael has contributed to several multi-centre clinical trials, including COMPETE (Lu-177 PRRT) and studies involving Zirconium-89 (Zr-89) labelled monoclonal antibodies for PET-CT imaging, providing essential physics input and ensuring high standards of technical and regulatory compliance. In addition to national research efforts, he has led and supported locally driven projects such as the introduction and validation of Yttrium-90 (Y-90) PET-CT imaging—benchmarking it against bremsstrahlung SPECT-CT—and the development of novel image processing techniques, including texture analysis in PET-CT for enhanced quantitative assessment.

Michael has extensive experience in teaching and training within clinical imaging. From 2017 to 2020, he supported the Practitioner Training Program for Clinical Technologists at Cumbria University. Between 2017 and 2024, he was actively involved in The Christie PET-CT Academy, delivering sessions on CT fundamentals for PET-CT, advanced use of contrast agents, and Gallium-DOTA-peptide imaging. In addition, he has curated a comprehensive library of approximately 200 PET-CT cases to support reporter training and education for the Academy.

Michael Gornall has co-authored peer-reviewed research and conference presentations spanning clinical trials, PET-CT optimisation, and novel radionuclide therapies. Notably, he extended the CONVERT randomised controlled trial analysis to evaluate the prognostic ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT in small cell lung cancer, published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology. His work also includes a study on transitioning to dose-by-weight FDG PET-CT protocols using automated dispensing systems, presented at the BNMS 2016 Spring Meeting. Additionally, he was involved in reporting the UK's first clinical experience delivering Holmium-166 (166Ho) microsphere treatment, presented at the BNMS 2022 Spring Meeting.

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As part of The Christie's regional support contract, Michael acted as the primary Clinical Scientist and Medical Physics Expert (MPE) contact for a number of NHS and private healthcare providers. In this capacity, he managed the delivery of physics support and MPE services, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, maintaining patient safety, and supporting effective collaboration across clinical teams.