Rongxiao Zhang, PhD, DABR

Rongxiao Zhang, PhD, DABR, is an associate professor and the director of medical physics within the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Driven by a commitment to mentorship and a passion for innovation, collaboration and clinical excellence through translational research, Dr. Zhang’s work spans radiation therapy (RT), RT delivery, Cherenkov radiation, cutting-edge imaging guidance, radiation transport and biological modeling, adaptive radiation therapy and novel dose delivery technologies.

Through his training, research work and education, Dr. Zhang has comprehensive expertise in all areas of radiation therapy, including proton therapy and MR-guided radiation therapy. His experience is highlighted by working as part of a team to capture the first veterinary and human images of Cherenkov radiation, paving the way for advancements in real-time radiation dosimetry and chemical sensing. This work included translating Cherenkov imaging from conceptual research to a commercial product that has become part of routine clinical practice to ensure safe and effective delivery of radiation therapy.

Dr. Zhang’s research includes a focus on FLASH radiation therapy, an innovation in radiation therapy that delivers ultra-high doses of radiation in less than a second to minimize damage to healthy tissue while effectively treating tumors. This work, supported by NIH, federal, and non-federal funding, includes developing advanced radiation dosimetry tools and quality assurance methods as well as conducting preclinical and translational studies. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, Dr. Zhang has led efforts to integrate FLASH therapy into clinical practice and continues to explore its transformative potential for patient outcomes.

He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers, presented more than 200 abstracts at leading national and international conferences and taught courses in medical imaging, radiation transport, and adaptive therapy. Dr. Zhang is proud to mentor and guide PhD students in the field and to contribute to advances in the field through professional service, where he actively contributes to organizations such as the The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and NRG Oncology, and supports diversity initiatives through the AAPM DREAM program. His lab is currently recruiting undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to join in pioneering projects in radiation oncology. Dr. Zhang’s goal is to advance patient care through collaborative research, impactful education and the integration of innovative technologies into clinical practice.