Department: Radiation Oncology

My research focus is on developing techniques to better predict the response of tumors to radiotherapy. Through a combination of experimental work (preclinical molecular imaging) and computational approaches (image processing and mathematical modeling), I aim to improve our ability to (a) infer biologically relevant information from imaging data, and b) reliably predict whether / how specific tumor regions are resistant to radiation therapy.

Our research is aimed at defining the pathways of p53-mediated apoptosis and tumor suppression, using a combination of biochemical, cell biological, and mouse genetic approaches. Our strategy is to start by generating hypotheses about p53 mechanisms of action using primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), and then to test them using gene targeting technology in the mouse.

My current research is focused on evaluating and improving linac-based stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatment planning and delivery techniques, predicting dosimetric indices in prospective plans through automated data mining, and developing new approaches for planning and delivering prone partial breast irradiation.

My current research is on the clinical implementation of real-time image guided radiation therapy for prostate cancer with linear accelerators. The methodology will be extended to other types of tumors. I am also working in the development of an independent dose calculation algorithm for flattening filter free linear accelerators delivering intensity modulated radiation therapy.

I have been working in three main research areas connected by Monte Carlo simulations: 1) treatment planning for small animal radiotherapy, 2) x-ray fluorescence CT (XFCT) imaging for high-sensitivity molecular imaging, and 3) a novel concept of radiation therapy with very high-energy electron (VHEE) beams. I have performed dose measurements at at SLAC, modeled the beamline with Monte Carlo, optimized VHEE treatment plans and done high-dose-rate radiobiology experiments.

We seek to understand the mechanisms responsible for the resistance of cancers to treatment and to develop strategies to overcome these resistances. We are using molecular and cellular techniques and mouse models to potentiate the activity of radiation on tumors by inhibiting the bone marrow rescue of the tumor vasculature following therapy.

My research interests involve the early detection and characterization of cancer through the strategic integration of imaging tools including optics, MRI, x-ray, and nuclear medicine. I am also interested in improving minimally invasive therapies by incorporating sensing. My background encompasses medical device design and fabrication, and image reconstruction algorithms. The goal of this work is to provide significant, essential, and practical solutions to improve the treatment of disease.

My research interests involve the automatic segmentation and deformble registration of medical images for a high precision radiotherapy. The goals of my work are to mathematically model the human organ deformation and using such models to achieve an automatic segmentation of human organs from medical images.

I specialize in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. I am interested in developing stereotactic body radiotherapy for tumors of the liver, both primary and metastatic. I am interested in developing functional imaging as a means of determining treatment response with radiation. I am also interested in developing image-guided radiotherapy to improve radiation delivery for GI cancers to reduce toxicity and improve disease outcome.

Financial Specialist Radiation Oncology division of Cancer Biology CCSR South Room 1255

My research interest is to explore cutting-edge imaging-guided techniques for radiation treatment planning and verification systems and then develop robust tools for clinical applications. Currently, I am working on the development of a cloud-computing Monte Carlo-based patient specific QA system for IMRT and VMAT therapies.

Admin Support for Dr. Amato Giaccia

My research interests involve the design and development of algorithms for image reconstruction from projections and for therapy treatment planning. Applications include: IMxRT (using X-ray), IMpRT (using protons), VMAT, pCT, CT and more.

My laboratory studies cancer stem cell biology and its implications for therapy. We are interested in developing a deeper molecular understanding of breast cancer and lung cancer stem cells, including identifying pathways and genes important for survival and self renewal. Additionally, we are developing methods for overcoming resistance mechanisms to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer stem cells. Clinically I specialize in the treatment of lung cancer and applications of radiosurgery.

Combined Modality Treatment of Cancer Late Effects of Treatment Genetic Effects of Cancer Rhabdomyosarcoma Hodgkins Disease Pediatric Radiation Oncolgy Pediatric Oncolgy Breast Cancer Conformal Radiotherapy/IMRT Radiotherapy for Benign Diseases

Image Guided Radiotherapy Stereotactic Radiosurgery High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

During the last five years, we have identified several small molecules that kill VHL deficient renal cancer cells through a synthetic lethal screening approach. Another major interest of my laboratory is in identifying hypoxia-induced genes involved in invasion and metastases. We are also investigating how hypoxia regulates gene expression epigenetically.

Dr. Gibbs is a board-certified radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of CNS tumors. Her research focuses on developing new radiation techniques to manage brain and spinal tumors in adults and children. Dr. Gibbs has gained worldwide acclaim for her expertise in Cyberknife robotic radiosurgery.

Head and neck, interstitial Bladder, prostate, breast IORT, stereotactic, pituitary (and brain) Osteos and other sarcomas, clinical hyperthermia

Applications of molecular imaging in radiation therapy, development of hypoxia and radiosensitivity imaging techniques, small animal image-guided conformal radiotherapy, image processing and analysis.

Outcomes of radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Clinical research interests in the late effects of radiation on normal tissues and chemical modification of radiation injury. Hodgkins's disease and late effects of radiation and combined modality therapy. Radiation sensitizers. Hypoxic cell cytotoxins. Esophageal cancers. General adult and pediatric radiation therapy.

Cyberknife treatment planning and other Cyberknife related research.

Irradiation immunosuppression; total body irradiation;, psychosocial effects of cancer treatment; treatment of lymphoma;, mycosis fungoides.

Development and integration of X-ray, MRI and US imaging technologies for radiation therapy guidance; Design of synergistic approaches to radiation therapy delivery; Treatment planning optimization and modeling.

Current research interests are inter- and intra- fractional motion, focusing on SBRT and realtime imaging. I have also recently been looking at quality assurance for gated VMAT delivery

Gynecologic malignancies; Rectal/and cancer; Breast Cancer; Hodgkin's disease; Hyperthermia; intraoperative radiation therapy; High dose rate radiation therapy; Predictive assays; Patterns of tumor spread; Health care finance.

Our interests include 1) study of the effect of radiation on regulatory cell subpopulations and co-stimulatory molecules, 2) use of radiation as an immune modulator for optimization of transplant regimens, 3) the role of radiation in tumor vaccine strategies, 4) study of new radiosensitizers and radioprotectors, and 5) discovery of new targeted therapies for the treatment of solid tumors.