David Fleming
Biography
Served as Chair of the Division of Medical and Biological Physics of the Canadian Association of Physicists
Secretary (2019-24), International Society for Trace Element Research in Humans
Board of Directors (2017-21), Canadian Pugwash Group, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs
External Examiner (2017-19), Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology, University of Nairobi
Post-doctoral experience through McMaster University
Began teaching career at the University of Vermont
Adjunct at McMaster University and Toronto Metropolitan University
Publications
Recent:
76. Christopher J. Frederickson, David E.B. Fleming, Dan Asael, Mukhtiar Zaman, Randal Ferguson, Michaela G. Kaiser, Bryn D. Rankin, Kassia M.M. Schenkels, Andrew I.T. Hess, Andrianna R. Scott, Cathleen J.M. Frederickson, Jonathan K. Sinclair, and Nicola M. Lowe. “Single hair analysis by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry detects small changes in dietary zinc intake: A nested randomized controlled trial”, Frontiers in Nutrition 10: 1139017; 8 pages (2023).
75. David E.B. Fleming, Michaela G. Kaiser, Bryn D. Rankin, Kassia M.M. Schenkels. “Assessment of X-ray fluorescence capabilities for nail and hair matrices through zinc measurement in keratin reference materials”, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 77: 127136; 8 pages (2023).
74. Desta Woldetsadik, Hillette Hailu, Solomie Gebrezgabher, Andrew Adam-Bradford, Tesfu Mengistu, Colby T. Evans, Nelly Madani, Tamlyn P. Mafika, and David E.B. Fleming. “Estimating the potential of spices for mineral provision in a refugee context in East Africa”, SN Applied Sciences 5: 1; 9 pages (2023).
73. Utsav Sharma, Kurt Van Delinder, James L. Gräfe, and David E.B. Fleming. “Investigating methods of normalization for X-ray fluorescence measurements of zinc in nail clippings using the TOPAS Monte Carlo code”, Applied Radiation and Isotopes 182: 110151; 6 pages (2022).
72. Desta Woldetsadik, Eulogio J. Llorent-Martínez, Solomie Gebrezgabher, Mary Njenga, Ruth Mendum, Roxana Castillo-López, Maria L. Fernández-de Córdova, Hillette Hailu,Colby T. Evans, Nelly Madani, Tamlyn P. Mafika, and David E.B. Fleming. “Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in a refugee context in East Africa: Kitchen gardening helps with mineral provision”, SN Applied Sciences 4:32; 19 pages (2022).
71. David E.B. Fleming. “The measurement of trace elements in human nails and nail clippings using portable X-ray fluorescence: A review”, X-Ray Spectrometry, DOI: 10.1002/xrs3248; 51: 328-337 (2022).
70. David E.B. Fleming, Samantha L. Crook, Colby T. Evans, Michel N. Nader, Manuel Atia, Jason M.T. Hicks, Ellen Sweeney, Christopher R. McFarlane, Jong Sung Kim, Erin Keltie, and Anil Adisesh. “Assessing arsenic in human toenail clippings using portable X-ray fluorescence”, Applied Radiation and Isotopes 167: 109491; 7 pages (2021).
69. David E.B. Fleming, Samantha L. Crook, Colby T. Evans, Michel N. Nader, Manuel Atia, Jason M.T. Hicks, Ellen Sweeney, Christopher R. McFarlane, Jong Sung Kim, Erin Keltie, and Anil Adisesh. “Portable X-ray fluorescence of zinc applied to human toenail clippings”, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 62: 126603; 7 pages (2020).
68. Desta Woldetsadik, Eulogio J. Llorent-Martínez, Pilar Ortega-Barrales, Abinet Haile, Hillette Hailu, Nelly Madani, Noah S. Warner, and David E.B. Fleming. “Contents of metal(loid)s in a traditional Ethiopian flat bread (injera), dietary intake, and health risk assessment in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia”, Biological Trace Element Research 198: 732-743 (2020).
67. Mihai R. Gherase and David E.B. Fleming. “Probing trace elements in human tissues with synchrotron radiation”, Crystals 10: 12; 24 pages (2020).
66. Michel N. Nader and David E.B. Fleming. "Assessment of alternative methods for analyzing X-ray fluorescence spectra", Applied Radiation and Isotopes 146: 133-138 (2019).
65. David E.B. Fleming, Samantha L. Crook, and Colby T. Evans. "Assessing zinc from a nail clipping using mono-energetic portable X-ray fluorescence", Applied Radiation and Isotopes 145: 170-175 (2019).
64. David E.B. Fleming, Stephen R. Bennett, and Christopher J. Frederickson. "Feasibility of measuring zinc in human nails using portable x-ray fluorescence", Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 50: 609-614 (2018).
63. Eric Da Silva, Gabriella Mankovskii, Brian Kirkham, John Groves, Mihai Gherase, David E.B. Fleming, and Ana Pejović-Milić. "Evaluation of portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometers for in vivo quantification of bone strontium and lead on the basis of the minimum detectable limit: A phantom study", Advances in X-ray Analysis 61: 116-128 (2018).
62. Olena Ponomarenko, Paul F. La Porte, Satya P. Singh, George Langan, David E.B. Fleming, Julian E. Spallholz, Mohammad Alauddin, Habibul Ahsan, Selim Ahmed, Jurgen Gailer, Graham N. George, and Ingrid J. Pickering. "Selenium-mediated arsenic excretion in mammals: a synchrotron-based study of whole-body distribution and tissue-specific chemistry", Metallomics 9: 1585-1595 (2017).
61. Mihai R. Gherase, Renfei Feng, and David E.B. Fleming. "Optimization of L-shell x-ray fluorescence detection of lead in bone phantoms using synchrotron radiation", X-ray Spectrometry 46: 537-547 (2017).
60. E.D. Desouza, M.R. Gherase, D.E.B. Fleming, D.R. Chettle, J.M. O'Meara, and F.E. McNeill. "Performance comparison of two Olympus InnovX handheld x-ray analyzers for feasibility of measuring arsenic in skin in vivo - Alpha and Delta models", Applied Radiation and Isotopes 123: 82-93 (2017).
59. S. Behinaein, D.R. Chettle, M. Fisher, W.I. Manton, L. Marro, D.E.B. Fleming, N. Healey, M. Inskip, T.E. Arbuckle, and F.E. McNeill. "Age and sex influence on bone and blood lead concentrations in a cohort of the general population living in Toronto", Physiological Measurement 38: 431-451 (2017).
58. Craig Groskopf, Stephen R. Bennett, Mihai R. Gherase, and David E.B. Fleming. "Detection of lead in bone phantoms and arsenic in soft tissue phantoms using synchrotron radiation and a portable x-ray fluorescence system", Physiological Measurement 38: 374-386 (2017).
57. David E.B. Fleming and Chris S. Ware. "Portable x-ray fluorescence for the analysis of chromium in nail and nail clippings", Applied Radiation and Isotopes 121: 91-95 (2017).
56. David E.B. Fleming, Michel N. Nader, Kelly A. Foran, Craig Groskopf, Michael C. Reno, Chris S. Ware, Mina Tehrani, Diana Guimaraes, and Patrick J. Parsons. "Assessing arsenic and selenium in a single nail clipping using portable X-ray fluorescence", Applied Radiation and Isotopes 120: 1-6 (2017).
55. David E.B. Fleming, Caitlin Mills, and Christopher W. Roy. "Students engaging with expert alumni: Connecting a medical physics class through Skype". In Louise Wasylkiw and Jennifer L. Tomes (Eds.), Mount A Teaches (pp. 171-176). Victoria, BC: Friesen Press (2016).
54. H. Shehab, E.D. Desouza, J. O'Meara, A. Pejovic-Milic, D.R. Chettle, D.E.B. Fleming, and F.E. McNeill. "Feasibility of measuring arsenic and selenium in human skin using in vivo x-ray fluorescence (XRF) - a comparison of methods". Physiological Measurement 37: 145-161 (2016).
53. Kelly A. Foran and David E.B. Fleming. "Detection and quantification of trace elements in rice and rice products using x-ray fluorescence". Proceedings of International Conference on Women in Physics, AIP Conference Proceedings 1697: 070001-1-070001-2 (2015).
52. John W. MacMillan, Sepideh Behinaein, David R. Chettle, Mike Inskip, Fiona E. McNeill, William I. Manton, Norm Healey, Mandy Fisher, Tye E. Arbuckle, and David E.B. Fleming. "Physiologically based modeling of lead kinetics: a pilot study using data from a Canadian population". Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 17: 2122-2133 (2015).
51. David J. McIver, John A. VanLeeuwen, Anthony L. Knafla, Jillian A. Campbell, Kevin M. Alexander, Mihai R. Gherase, Judith R. Guernsey, and David E.B. Fleming. "Evaluation of a novel portable x-ray fluorescence screening tool for detection of arsenic exposure". Physiological Measurement 36: 2443-2459 (2015).
50. David E.B. Fleming, John W. Groves, Mihai R. Gherase, Graham N. George, Ingrid J. Pickering, Olena Ponomarenko, George Langan, Julian E. Spallholz, Mohammad Alauddin, Habibul Ahsan, Selim Ahmed, and Paul F. La Porte. "Soft tissue measurement of arsenic and selenium in an animal model using portable x-ray fluorescence". Radiation Physics and Chemistry 116: 241-247 (2015).
49. David E.B. Fleming, Kelly A. Foran, Jong Sung Kim, and Judy R. Guernsey. "Portable x-ray fluorescence for assessing trace elements in rice and rice products: Comparison with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry". Applied Radiation and Isotopes 104: 217-223 (2015).
48. Olena Ponomarenko, Mihai R. Gherase, Mark S. LeBlanc, Chang-Yong Kim, Elstan D. Desouza, Michael J. Farquharson, Fiona E. McNeill, Susan Nehzati, Ingrid J. Pickering, Graham N. George, and David E.B. Fleming. "Synchrotron XAS analysis of arsenic chemical speciation in human nail clippings". Environmental Chemistry 11: 632-643 (2014).
47. Sepideh Behinaein, David R. Chettle, Leonora Marro, Morie Malowany, Mandy Fisher, David E.B. Fleming, Norm Healey, Mike Inskip, Tye E. Arbuckle, and Fiona E. McNeill. "Factors influencing uncertainties of in vivo bone lead measurement using a Cd-109 K x-ray fluorescence clover leaf geometry detector system". Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 16: 2742-2751 (2014).
46. Mihai R. Gherase, Elstan D. Desouza, Michael J. Farquharson, Fiona E. McNeill, Chang-Yong Kim, David E.B. Fleming, "X-ray fluorescence measurements of arsenic micro-distribution in human nail clippings using synchrotron radiation". Physiological Measurement 34: 1163-1177 (2013).
45. David E.B. Fleming, Mihai R. Gherase, Madeleine Anthonisen, "Calibrations for measurement of manganese and zinc in nail clippings using portable XRF". X-ray Spectrometry 42: 299-302 (2013).
44. Elstan D. Desouza, Ibrahim Abu Atiya, Alia Al-Ebraheem, Bruce C. Wainman, David E.B. Fleming, Fiona E. McNeill, Michael J. Farquharson, "Characterization of the depth distribution of Ca, Fe and Zn in skin samples, using synchrotron micro-x-ray fluorescence (SµXRF) to help quantify in-vivo measurements of elements in the skin". Applied Radiation and Isotopes 77: 68-75 (2013).
43. Mihai R. Gherase and David E.B. Fleming, “A calibration method for proposed XRFmeasurements of arsenic and selenium in nail clippings”. Physics in Medicine and Biology 56: N215-N225 (2011).
42. M.R. Gherase and D.E.B. Fleming, “Calculation of depth-dependent elementalconcentration with x-ray fluorescence using a layered calibration method. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 269: 1150-1156 (2011).
41. David E.B. Fleming, Mihai R. Gherase, Kevin M. Alexander. “A miniature x-ray tube approach to measuring lead in bone using L-XRF”. X-ray Spectrometry 40: 343-347 (2011).
40. Sepideh Behinaein, David R. Chettle, Jovica Atanackovic, Lesley M. Egden, David E.B. Fleming, Linda H. Nie, Norbert Richard, and Sue Stever. “In vivo measurement of lead in the bones of smelter workers using the four-element “clover-leaf” geometry detector system”. Physics in Medicine and Biology 56: 653-665 (2011).
39. Hannah C. MacDonald, Colin P. Laroque, David E.B. Fleming, Mihai R. Gherase. “Dendroanalysis of metal pollution from the Sydney Steel Plant in Sydney, Nova Scotia”. Dendrochronologia 29: 9-15 (2011).
38. Mihai R. Gherase, Joanna E. Mader, David E.B. Fleming. “The radiation dose from a proposed measurement of arsenic and selenium in human skin”. Physics in Medicine and Biology 55: 5499-5514 (2010).
37.Christopher W. Roy, Mihai Raul Gherase, David E.B. Fleming, “Simultaneous assessment of arsenic and selenium in human nail phantoms using a portable x-ray tube and a detector”. Physics in Medicine and Biology 55: N151-N159 (2010).
36. David E.B. Fleming, Isadel S. Eddy, Mihai R. Gherase, Meaghan K. Gibbons, Graham A. Gagnon. “Real-time Monitoring of Arsenic Filtration by Granular Ferric Hydroxide”. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 68: 821-824 (2010).
35. Mihai R. Gherase, Marc E. Vallee, David E.B. Fleming. “Simultaneous detection of arsenic and selenium in polyester resin skin phantoms". Applied Radiation and Isotopes 68: 743-745 (2010).
34. Mihai R. Gherase, David E.B. Fleming. “Optimal Kα detection geometry of arsenic in skin using an extended fundamental parameter method". X-ray Spectrometry 38: 513-518 (2009).
33. D.E.B. Fleming, M.R. Gherase, C.-Y. Kim. “Detecting arsenic and defining its micro-distribution in skin phantoms”. Canadian Light Source Activity Report 2008: 120-121 (2009).
32. J.M. O’Meara and D.E.B. Fleming. “Uncertainty calculations for the measurement of in vivo bone lead by x-ray fluorescence”. Physics in Medicine and Biology 54: 2449- 2461 (2009).
31. Mihai R. Gherase, David E.B. Fleming. “K-shell X-ray fluorescence measurements of arsenic depth-dependent concentration in polyester resin discs using the fundamental parameter method”. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 67: 50-54 (2009).
30. Mihai Raul Gherase and David E.B. Fleming. “Fundamental parameter approach to XRF spectroscopy measurements of arsenic in polyester resin skin phantoms”. X-ray Spectrometry 37: 482-489 (2008).
29. J.A.A. Brito, D.E.B. Fleming, and D.R. Chettle. “A review of EDXRS in the study of human lead metabolism”. X-ray Spectrometry 37: 84-88 (2008).
28. Norm Healey, David R. Chettle, Fiona E. McNeill, David E.B. Fleming, “Uncertainties in the relationship between tibia lead and cumulative blood lead index”. Environmental Health Perspectives 116: A109 (2008).
27. David E.B. Fleming and Mihai Raul Gherase. “A rapid, high sensitivity technique for measuring arsenic in skin phantoms using a portable x-ray tube and detector”. Physics in Medicine and Biology 52: N459-N465 (2007).
26. David E.B. Fleming and Caitlin E. Mills. “A 4 x 500 mm2 cloverleaf detector system for in vivo bone lead measurement”. Medical Physics 34: 945-951 (2007).
25. Nasser Ahmed and David E.B. Fleming. “Early experiences with the Mount Allison University four-detector X-ray fluorescence bone lead measurement system”. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 263: 32-35 (2007).
24. David E.B. Fleming and Deborah E. Blom. “Evidence for lead diagenesis in ancient bones of the Southern Andes”. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 263: 41-45 (2007).
23. Naseer Ahmed, David E.B. Fleming, Joanne M. O’Meara. “Monte Carlo simulations of in vivo K-shell x-ray fluorescence bone lead measurement and implications for radiation dosimetry”. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 64: 1036-1042 (2006).
22. Andrew F.B. McDonald, Naseer Ahmed, David E.B. Fleming. “Factors affecting the K-shell X-ray fluorescence bone lead technique”. Canadian Undergraduate Physics Journal 4(2): 7-11 (2006). Erratum: 5(1): 16 (2006).
21. Naseer Ahmed, David E.B. Fleming, David Wilkie, Joanne M. O’Meara. “Effects of overlying soft tissue on X-ray fluorescence bone lead measurement uncertainty”. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 75: 1-6 (2006).
20. Naseer Ahmed, Natalie A. Osika, Alexander M. Wilson, David E.B. Fleming. “In Vivo K-shell X-ray Fluorescence Bone Lead Measurements in Young Adults”. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 7: 457-462 (2005).
19. Naseer Ahmed, David E.B. Fleming, Joanne M. O’Meara. “Monte Carlo investigations of distance-dependent effects on energy deposition in K-shell x-ray fluorescence bone lead measurement”. Physics in Medicine and Biology 49: N267-N276 (2004).
18. David E.B. Fleming, David R. Chettle, Fiona E. McNeill, Andrew G.P. Weedon. “Effects of measurement distance and source activity on the precision of x-ray fluorescence measurements of lead in a bone phantom” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 217: 471-478 (2004).
17. D.R Chettle, M.L. Arnold, A.C.A. Aro, D.E.B. Fleming, V.S. Kondrashov, F.E. McNeill, E.L. Moshier, H. Nie, S.J. Rothenberg, I.M. Stronach, A.C. Todd. “An agreed statement on calculating lead concentration and uncertainty in XRF in vivo bone lead analysis”. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 58: 603-605 (2003).
16. Andrew C. Todd, Erin L. Moshier, Michelle Arnold, Antonio Aro, David R. Chettle, Fiona E. McNeill, Huiling Nie, David E.B. Fleming, Ian M. Stronach, “Corrections to ‘How to calculate lead concentration and concentration uncertainty in XRF in vivo bone lead analysis’ by Kondrashov and Rothenberg”. Applied Radiation and Isotopes 58: 41- 50 (2003).
15. David Fleming (Consulting Author), Chapter 2, “Human Exposure”, Report on Carcinogens Background Document for Lead and Lead Compounds. Technology Planning and Management Corporation, Durham, North Carolina (2003).
Education
Ph.D., Medical Physics, McMaster University, 1998
M.Sc., Astronomy, McMaster University, 1994
B.Sc. (Honours), Physics, Mount Allison University, 1992
Teaching
Fall 2024
Physics 2801: Data Acquisition and Analysis
Physics 3581: Medical Physics
Winter 2025
Physics 1041: Physics for the Life Sciences
Physics 2811: Modern Physics
Research
Research interests include the development and application of x-ray fluorescence approaches to monitoring trace elements in the human body. Recent work has included advances with in vivo measurement of lead in human bone, and the development of novel bio-monitoring techniques for assessing exposure to arsenic, selenium, and zinc. Related applications have resulted in studies involving environmental science and nutritional science. Research falls within the fields of medical physics and radiation physics. Our work is performed on campus at Mount Allison, in the field, and at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron. External funding has been provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Foundation for Innovation, WorkSafe New Brunswick, and New Brunswick Health Research Foundation.
Grants, awards & honours
2018 - Paul Paré Medal - Mount Allison University
2017 - Professor of the Year - Physics Society
2012 - Paul Paré Excellence Award - Mount Allison University
2011 - Professor of the Year (co-winner with D. Hornidge) - Physics Society
2007 - Canada Research Chair (renewed)
2007 - Paul Paré Excellence Award - Mount Allison University
2005 - Paul Paré Excellence Award - Mount Allison University
2002 - Canada Research Chair