Overview
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy optimization. Functional Image-guided radiotherapy (PET, SPECT). Modeling of Radiation-induced normal tissue complications (lung, cardiac) using neural nets, MART, self organizing maps, etc. Optimal selection of beam orientations for radiotherapy. Hyperthermia modeling.
Current Funded Grants:
NCI P01 CA042745-19: Hyperthermia and Perfusion Effects in Cancer Therapy Project 2: Real Time Modeling and Control Using Finite Elements and MRI (Program Director).
NCI 1R01 CA115748-01A1: Accurate Prediction of Cardiac and Lung Radiation Injury (Principal Investigator).
Varian Medical Systems: Incorporation of Functional Image-guidance in Radiotherapy Planning (Principal Investigator).
Graduate School Teaching:
MP322: Advanced Photon Beam Radiation Therapy Planning (Fall Semester)
Postdoctoral Research Associates (Past and Current):
Alan Baydush, Ph.D.
Shifeng Chen, Ph.D.
Kung-Shan Cheng, Ph.D.
Sarah McGuire, Ph.D.
Vadim Stakhursky, Ph.D.
Current Funded Grants:
NCI P01 CA042745-19: Hyperthermia and Perfusion Effects in Cancer Therapy Project 2: Real Time Modeling and Control Using Finite Elements and MRI (Program Director).
NCI 1R01 CA115748-01A1: Accurate Prediction of Cardiac and Lung Radiation Injury (Principal Investigator).
Varian Medical Systems: Incorporation of Functional Image-guidance in Radiotherapy Planning (Principal Investigator).
Graduate School Teaching:
MP322: Advanced Photon Beam Radiation Therapy Planning (Fall Semester)
Postdoctoral Research Associates (Past and Current):
Alan Baydush, Ph.D.
Shifeng Chen, Ph.D.
Kung-Shan Cheng, Ph.D.
Sarah McGuire, Ph.D.
Vadim Stakhursky, Ph.D.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Adjunct Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology
·
2014 - Present
Radiation Oncology,
Clinical Science Departments
Recent Scholarly Works
The MUSE Target Chamber Post Veto
Journal article Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment · October 1, 2026 The Muon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) was developed to address the proton radius puzzle through simultaneous electron–proton and muon-proton scattering using the Paul Scherrer Institute's πM1 secondary beamline. MUSE uses a large-solid-angle, non-magnetic ... Full text CiteAutomated Detection of Hip Replacements and Fiducial Markers in Pelvic CT Scans: A Comparative Study of Rule-Based vs Deep Learning Approaches
Conference 2026 IEEE Conference on Artificial Intelligence Cai 2026 · January 1, 2026 This paper presents a comprehensive comparative study of automated detection of hip replacements and fiducial markers in pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans, evaluating rule-based anatomically-constrained methods against modern deep learning techniques. ... Full text CiteNTCP model guided whole brain radiation re-planning to reduce risk of acute xerostomia and dry eye.
Journal article J Appl Clin Med Phys · December 2025 INTRODUCTION: Previous work has shown that whole brain radiation (WBRT) can lead to acute xerostomia and dry eye from dose delivered to the parotid and lacrimal glands, respectively. We performed a retrospective study to assess whether a previously develop ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Accurate, High Resolution 3D Dosimetry
ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2004 - 2013Cross-disciplinary Training in Medical Physics
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2007 - 2013Image-Guided Radiation Therapy and Radiosurgery for Small Animals
EquipmentMajor User · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2009 - 2011View All Grants
Education
Duke University ·
1990
Ph.D.