UM Alum Finds Purpose and Success in Medical Physics

When it came to choosing a college, Great Falls native and University of Montana alum Tyler Blackwell had a few boxes to check. He wanted a quality education and the ability to support himself through work and scholarships while earning an education. That criteria ultimately brought him to Missoula.

“I was able to do that at Montana,” Blackwell said.

Blackwell came to UM with a plan to study plant science, but a prerequisite class of introductory physics captured his interest. As a Presidential Leadership Scholar, he engaged early with the Davidson Honors College community.

“The DHC was a big component in attracting me to UM” he said. “I was surrounded by talented, motivated students, and the approach to education was holistic, community-focused. I made incredible friends and the experience was special.”

Blackwell had taken Spanish classes in high school and decided to keep up with the language as a UM student. He studied abroad in Malaga, Spain—one of his most memorable experiences as a Griz.

“It was completely transformational,” he said. “I made some fantastic memories and learned a lot about Spanish language and culture.”

Blackwell eventually earned dual degrees in physics and Spanish. He wasn’t sure of a career path upon graduating, but after a move to Washington and some time job-shadowing and interning in the field of medical physics, he knew he’d found the right track.

“I discovered that I didn’t want to keep going in the theoretical direction,” he said. “I wanted to go in more of an applied career, where I could take the physics I had learned and make a difference.”

He earned his master’s in medical physics from Purdue University and spent a decade working in a clinical setting, where he played an essential role in patient care.

“Medical physicists are responsible for the technical aspects of radiation therapy treatments for cancer patients,” Blackwell explained. “In the clinical setting, physicists integrate new technologies to improve patient care, and are responsible for the quality and safety of cancer treatment delivery.”

In 2019 Blackwell joined Radformation, a company that provides automation software to improve the cancer treatment process. In his current role, he assists with the company’s messaging and works directly with clinics to foster clinical research to show the value of automation and artificial intelligence in radiation therapy.

“We do a lot of research collaborations with partner clinics to validate our tools or to investigate new ideas using our software,” he said.

Blackwell recently was selected as a Fellow by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. The honor recognizes those who have made significant contributions to medical physics through service, research, education and leadership. He’ll be honored at a ceremony this month in Los Angeles.

Blackwell resides in Olympia, Washington, with his wife and fellow UM alum Hallie and their three children.