Dr. Gao’s medical physics research is interdisciplinary with two following themes.
(This description is assisted by AI.) This image, titled "FLASH-RT via Simultaneous Dose and Dose Rate Optimization (SDDRO)," presents a method for optimizing dose and dose rate in FLASH radiotherapy. It has two main sections labeled "Planning Objective" and "Plan Quality," separated by a dashed line. Key points are marked with bold headings. The left side, "Planning Objective," describes the optimization process for dose and dose rate. It begins with a box labeled "f(d)," which is associated with "Dose Optimization." An arrow points down to a box labeled "f(d) + h(γ)," signifying the combined dose and dose rate optimization. Below this, there is an additional annotation "h(γ): Dose Rate Optimization" in red. Two graphs appear in this section: - The first, labeled "DVH" (Dose Volume Histogram), shows volume percentages on the y-axis against dose percentages on the x-axis, with lines indicating different dose distributions. - The second, labeled "DRVH" (Dose Rate Volume Histogram), shows a red vertical line at "40 Gy/s," indicating the dose rate threshold. This graph displays volume percentages against dose rate in Gy/s. The right side, "Plan Quality," shows a comparison between dose and dose rate maps using two different methods: IMPT (Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy) and SDDRO. The dose maps show two cross-sectional images of a thoracic area with color-coded dose contours representing 100% and 80% dose coverage levels, marked as "CTV" (Clinical Target Volume). The dose rate maps have a color gradient legend on the right side, with dose rates ranging from 40 Gy/s (blue) to 150 Gy/s (red). Regions of interest are marked as "ROI" and highlight dose rate distribution in SDDRO. A note at the bottom of the image reads, "SDDRO improves the FLASH-dose-rate coverage from IMPT via dose rate optimization with preserved dose distribution." The text emphasizes that SDDRO provides better coverage by optimizing dose rate while maintaining the intended dose distribution.
1. Clinical translation of new imaging and therapeutic techniques, including FLASH therapy, hybrid proton-photon therapy, SFRT, proton arc therapy, time-constrained proton therapy, proton CT, CBCT, 4D CT, and 4D MRI.

(This description is assisted by AI.) This image, titled "FLASH-RT via Simultaneous Dose and Dose Rate Optimization (SDDRO)," showcases Dr. Gao’s research approach for enhancing the FLASH dose rate in radiotherapy. The image consists of various cross-sectional visualizations and diagrams illustrating dose distribution and dose rate optimization. Key technical methods such as dose optimization (f(d)) and dose rate optimization (h(γ)) are highlighted with formula annotations. Dose maps and dose rate maps are compared to emphasize the effectiveness of SDDRO in improving FLASH therapy outcomes. The caption notes that SDDRO enhances FLASH-dose-rate coverage through dose rate optimization while maintaining dose distribution.
2. Computational algorithm and mathematical modeling for medical physics problems, including numerical optimization, numerical inverse problem, numerical PDE, regularization methods, deep learning, parallel computing, and scientific computing.
Funding’s are available to support PhD graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research assistant professors, medical physics residents, visiting students, and scholars.
Recent Publications