Medical College of Wisconsin
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CURRICULUM VITAE

Li Zhao PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology

OFFICE ADDRESS:
Froedtert Specialty Clinics
9200 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53226

EDUCATION:
1997 - 2001 B.Sc. Applied Physics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
2001 - 2004 M.S. Physics, Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
2004 - 2008 Ph.D. Medical Physics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

FACULTY APPOINTMENTS:
03/01/2023 - Present Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
09/2015 - 08/2022 Chief Clinical Medical Physics, Radiation Oncology, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

HOSPITAL STAFF PRIVILEGES:
09/2022 - 02/2023 Physicist II, Radiation Oncology, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
03/2023 - Present Clinical Physicist, Radiation Oncology, Froedert Hospital, 9200 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53226

SPECIALTY BOARDS AND CERTIFICATION:
Board Certified
Issue DateExpiration
Therapy Physics
2012
None
   
MEMBERSHIPS IN HONORARY AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
2004 - Present American Association of Physicists in Medicine

NATIONAL ELECTED/APPOINTED LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE POSITIONS:
member, AAPM Task Force Group 350: Multiple institution planning, delivery and dosimetry comparisons for proton pencil beam scanning: development of standard PBS planning cases, AAPM


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Refereed Journal Publications/Original Papers
1. VP Moskvin, F Pirlepesov, Y Yan, O Ates, W Myers, J Uh, L Zhao, N Shapira, Y Yagil, TE Merchant and CH Hua. Accuracy of stopping power ratio calculation and experimental validation of proton range with dual-layer computed tomography. Acta Oncol. Jul; 61(7): 864-868, 2022
2. O Ates, L Zhao, D Sobczak, CH Hua, and MJ Krasin. Dosimetric Advantages of Silicone-Filled Vaginal Spacers in Pediatric Proton Therapy. Int J Part Ther May 6:9 (1): 64-70, 2022
3. O Ates, L Zhao, D Sobczak, F Pirlepesov, CH Hua, B Waghorn, and TE Merchant. Design of a novel 5-camera surface guidance system with multiple imaging isocenters. J Appl Clin Med Phys Aug, online ahead of print, 2022
4. VP Moskin, A Faught, F Pirlepesov, L Zhao, CH Hua, TE Merchant. Monte Carlo framework for commissioning a synchrotron-based discrete spot scanning proton beam system and treatment plan verification. Biomed Phys Eng Express Jun 10;7(4). 2021
5. O Ates , CH Hua , L Zhao , N Shapira , Y Yagil , TE Merchant, M Krasin. Feasibility of using post-contrast dual-energy CT for pediatric radiation treatment planning and dose calculation. Br J Radiol. Feb 1;94(1118):20200170, 2021
6. L Zhao, VM Moskvin, CW Cheng and IJ Das. Dose perturbation caused by metallic port in breast tissue expander in proton beam therapy Biomed Phys Eng Express. Nov 18;6(6). 2020
7. W Yao, V Moskvin, L Zhao, R Lukose, CH Hua, P Tsiamas, M Axente, TE Merchant T, JB Farr. Implementation of a simplified analytical random walk model dose calculation algorithm with nuclear interaction for treatment planning of scanning-beam proton therapy. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express. 4:035023, 2018.
8. S Rana, CY Cheng, L Zhao, SY Park, G Larson, C Vargas, M Dunn, Y Zheng. Dosimetric and radiobiological impact of intensity modulated proton therapy and RapidArc planning for high-risk prostate cancer with seminal vesicles. J Med Radiat Sci Mar;64(1):18-24, 2017
9. Y Jia, L Zhao, CW Cheng, M McDonald, I Das. Dose perturbation effect of metallic spinal implants in proton beam therapy. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. 16(5): 333–343, 2015
10. S Rana, CY Cheng, Y Zheng, D Risalvato, N Cersonsky, E Ramirez, L Zhao, G Larson, C Vargas. Proton therapy vs. VMAT for prostate cancer: a treatment planning study. International Journal of Particle Therapy. 1(1):22–33, 2014
11. S Rana, S Pokharel, Y Zheng, L Zhao, D Risalvato, C Vargas, N Cersonsky. Treatment planning study comparing proton therapy, RapidArc and intensity modulated radiation therapy for a synchronous bilateral lung cancer case. International Journal of Cancer Therapy and Oncology. 2(2):020216, 2014
12. J Buchsbaum, A Besemer, J Simmons, T Hoene, V Simoneaux, A Sandefur, M Wolanski M, L Zhao, CW Cheng. Supine proton beam craniospinal radiotherapy using a novel tabletop adapter. Medical Dosimetry. 38(1):70-76, 2013
13. CW Cheng, I Das, L Zhao, Q Zhao, P Johnstone, World Congress Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering 39: 1769-1771, 2012
14. CW Cheng, L Zhao, M Wolanski, Q Zhao, J James, K Dikeman, M Mills, M Li,SSrivastava, XQ Lu, I Das. Comparison of tissue characterization curves for different CT scanners: implication in proton therapy treatment planning. Translational Cancer Research.1(4): 236-246, 2012
15. L Zhao, J Newton, M Oldham, I Das, CW Cheng, J Adamovics. Feasibility of using PRESAGE® for relative 3D dosimetry of small proton fields. Physics in Medicine & Biology. 57(22):N431-443, 2012
16. B Arjomandy, R Tailor, L Zhao, S Devic. EBT2 film as a depth-dose measurement tool for radiotherapy beams over a wide range of energies and modalities. Medical Physics. 39(2):912-921, 2012
17. V Moskvin, CW Cheng, L Fanelli, L Zhao, I Das. A semi-empirical model for the therapeutic range shift estimation caused by inhomogeneities in proton beam therapy. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics.13(2):3631, 2012
18. CW Cheng, I Das, S Srivastava, L Zhao, M Wolanski, J Simmons, P Johnstone , J Buchsbaum. Dosimetric comparison between proton and photon beams in the moving gap region in cranio-spinal irradiation (CSI). Acta Oncologica. 52(3):553-560, 2012
19. E Slessinger, E Pepin, Q Zhao, L Zhao, I Das. Dose correction in lung for HDR breast brachytherapy. Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy. 2:106-110, 2012
20. L Zhao, L Coutinho, N Cao, CW Cheng, I Das. Temporal response of Gafchromic EBT2 radiochromic film in proton beam irradiation, World Congress Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering 39:1164-65, 2012
21. L Zhao, I Das. Gafchromic EBT film dosimetry in proton beams. Physics in Medicine & Biology. 55(10):N291-301, 2010
22. M Gossman, L Zhao, M Cao, I Das. Dosimetric impact of surgical clips in electron beam treatment of breast cancer. Medical Dosimetry. 35(2):85-6, 2010
23. L Zhao, I Das, Q Zhao, A Thomas, J Adamovics, M Oldman. Determination of the depth dose distribution of proton beam using PRESAGETM dosimeter. J Phys Conf Ser. 250(1):12035. 2020
24. L Zhao, G Sandison, J Farr, W C Hsi, X Li. Dosimetric impact of intra-fraction motion for compensator-based proton therapy of lung cancer. Physics in Medicine & Biology. 53 (12): 3343-64, 2008
25. L Zhao, G Sandison, J Farr. Patient specific respiratory motion probability density function convolved dose distribution for proton therapy of lung cancer. Radiotherapy Oncology. 88: S112, 2008
26. L Zhao, G Sandison, J Farr, H Wu, M Fitzek. The moving target induced dosimetric effect versus beam direction in proton radiotherapy of moving lung tumors. BioMedical Engineering and Informatics. 2:804-8, 2008
27. H Wu, Q Zhao, L Zhao. Knowledge Discovery from Tumor Respiratory Motion Data. BioMedical Engineering and Informatics. 2:297-301, 2008
28. L Zhao, G Sandison, J Farr, WC Hsi, H Wu, X Li Patient-specific margins for proton therapy of lung. Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine. 30:344-8, 2007
29. H Wu, G Sandison, L Zhao, Q Zhao, H Shirato, S Jiang. Correlation between parameters describing tumor motion and its location in the lungs. Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine. 30:341-4, 2007
30. Ates O, Pirlepesov F, Zhao L, Hua CH, Merchant TE. Development of a log file analysis tool for proton patient QA, system performance tracking, and delivered dose reconstruction. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2023 Jul;24(7):e13972. PMCID: PMC10338751
31. Ates O, Zhao L, Sobczak D, Pirlepesov F, Hua CH, Waghorn B, Merchant TE. Design of a novel 5-camera surface guidance system with multiple imaging isocenters. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2022 Oct;23(10):e13750. PMCID: PMC9588261
32. Moskvin VP, Pirlepesov F, Yan Y, Ates O, Myers WJ, Uh J, Zhao L, Shapira N, Yagil Y, Merchant TE, Hua CH. Accuracy of stopping power ratio calculation and experimental validation of proton range with dual-layer computed tomography. Acta Oncol. 2022 Jul;61(7):864-868.
33. Moskvin VP, Faught A, Pirlepesov F, Zhao L, Hua CH, Merchant TE. Monte Carlo framework for commissioning a synchrotron-based discrete spot scanning proton beam system and treatment plan verification. Biomed Phys Eng Express. 2021 Jun 10;7(4).
34. Zhao L, Moskvin VP, Cheng CW, Das IJ. Dose perturbation caused by metallic port in breast tissue expander in proton beam therapy. Biomed Phys Eng Express. 2020 Nov 18;6(6).
35. Ates O, Hua CH, Zhao L, Shapira N, Yagil Y, Merchant TE, Krasin M. Feasibility of using post-contrast dual-energy CT for pediatric radiation treatment planning and dose calculation. Br J Radiol. 2021 Feb 01;94(1118):20200170. PMCID: PMC7934321
36. Yao W, Moskvin V, Zhao L, Lukose R, Hua CH, Tsiamas P, Axente M, Merchant TE, Farr JB. Implementation of a simplified analytical random walk model dose calculation algorithm with nuclear interaction for treatment planning of scanning-beam proton therapy Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express. 6 April 2018;4(3).
37. Rana S, Cheng C, Zhao L, Park S, Larson G, Vargas C, Dunn M, Zheng Y. Dosimetric and radiobiological impact of intensity modulated proton therapy and RapidArc planning for high-risk prostate cancer with seminal vesicles. J Med Radiat Sci. 2017 Mar;64(1):18-24. PMCID: PMC5355373
38. Jia Y, Zhao L, Cheng CW, McDonald MW, Das IJ. Dose perturbation effect of metallic spinal implants in proton beam therapy. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2015 Sep 08;16(5):333-343. PMCID: PMC5690149
39. Zhao L, Coutinho L, Cao N, Cheng CW, Das IJ. Temporal response of gafchromic EBT2 radiochromic film in proton beam irradiation IFMBE Proceedings. 2013;39 IFMBE:1164-1167.
40. Cheng CW, Das IJ, Zhao L, Zhao Q, Johnstone PAS. Factors affecting accuracy in proton therapy IFMBE Proceedings. 2013;39 IFMBE:1769-1771.
41. Cheng CW, Das IJ, Srivastava SP, Zhao L, Wolanski M, Simmons J, Johnstone PA, Buchsbaum JC. Dosimetric comparison between proton and photon beams in the moving gap region in cranio-spinal irradiation (CSI). Acta Oncol. 2013 Apr;52(3):553-60.
42. Cheng CW, Zhao L, Wolanski M, Zhao Q, James J, Dikeman K, Mills M, Li M, Srivastava SP, Lu XQ, Das IJ. Comparison of tissue characterization curves for different CT scanners: Implication in proton therapy treatment planning Translational Cancer Research. 1 December 2012;1(4):236-246.
43. Zhao L, Newton J, Oldham M, Das IJ, Cheng CW, Adamovics J. Feasibility of using PRESAGE® for relative 3D dosimetry of small proton fields. Phys Med Biol. 2012 Nov 21;57(22):N431-43. PMCID: PMC3844616
44. Slessinger E, Pepin E, Zhao Q, Zhao L, Das I. Dose correction in lung for HDR breast brachytherapy Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy. 30 June 2012;4(2):106-110.
45. Moskvin V, Cheng CW, Fanelli L, Zhao L, Das IJ. A semi-empirical model for the therapeutic range shift estimation caused by inhomogeneities in proton beam therapy. J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2012 Mar 08;13(2):3631. PMCID: PMC5716409
46. Arjomandy B, Tailor R, Zhao L, Devic S. EBT2 film as a depth-dose measurement tool for radiotherapy beams over a wide range of energies and modalities Medical Physics. February 2012;39(2):912-921.
47. Arjomandy B, Tailor R, Zhao L, Devic S. SU‐E‐T‐224: An Assessment of EBT2 Gafchromic Film as a Potential Means for Depth Dose Measurement of Radiotherapy Beams Medical Physics. June 2011;38(6):3538.
48. Zhao L, Das IJ. Erratum: Gafchromic EBT film dosimetry in proton beams (Physics in Medicine and Biology (2010) 55 (N291-301)) Physics in Medicine and Biology. 21 September 2010;55(18):5617.
49. Zhao L, Das IJ. Gafchromic EBT film dosimetry in proton beams. Phys Med Biol. 2010 May 21;55(10):N291-301.
50. Gossman MS, Zhao L, Cao M, Lopez JP, Das IJ. Dosimetric impact of surgical clips in electron beam treatment of breast cancer. Med Dosim. 2010;35(2):85-6.
51. Zhao L, Das IJ, Zhao Q, Thomas A, Adamovics J, Oldman M. Determination of the depth dose distribution of proton beam using PRESAGE™ dosimeter Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2010;250:160-163.
52. Gossman M, Zhao L, Cao M, Lopez J, Das I. SU‐FF‐T‐275: Dose Delivery Effects in Electron Beams From Surgical Breast Clips Medical Physics. June 2009;36(6):2584.
53. Zhao L, Sandison G, Farr J, Wu H, Fitzek M. The moving target induced dosimetric effect vs. beam direction in proton radiotherapy of moving lung tumors BioMedical Engineering and Informatics: New Development and the Future - Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on BioMedical Engineering and Informatics, BMEI 2008. 2008;2:804-808.
54. Wu H, Zhao Q, Zhao L. Knowledge discovery from tumor respiratory motion data BioMedical Engineering and Informatics: New Development and the Future - Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on BioMedical Engineering and Informatics, BMEI 2008. 2008;1:297-301.
55. Wu H, Sandison G, Zhao L, Zhao Q, Shirato H, Jiang S. Correlation between parameters describing tumour motion and its location in the lungs. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med. 2007 Dec;30(4):341-4.
56. Zhao L, Sandison GA, Farr JB, Hsi WC, Wu H, Li XA. Patient-specific margins for proton therapy of lung. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med. 2007 Dec;30(4):344-8.
57. Jia Y, Zhao L, Cheng C, Mcdonald M, Das I. SU‐E‐T‐450: Dose Perturbation of Spinal Metal Implants in Proton Beam Therapy Medical Physics. June 2013;40(6):309.
58. Das I, Coutinho L, Zhao L, Mcewen M, Cheng C. SU‐E‐T‐81: Characteristics of Microchambers for Dosimetry in Proton Beam Therapy Medical Physics. June 2013;40(6):222.
59. Cheng C, Zhao L, Zhao Q, Moskvin V, Buchsbaum J, Das I. SU‐E‐T‐295: Factors Affecting Accuracy in Proton Therapy Medical Physics. June 2012;39(6):3771.
60. Cheng C, Allgower C, Simmons J, Conley T, Das I, Zhao L, Zhao Q, Johnstone P, Buchsbaum J. SU‐C‐BRCD‐05: A Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Approach for Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) with Proton Therapy (PT) Medical Physics. June 2012;39(6):3600.
61. Zhao L, Coutinho L, Cao N, Cheng C, Das I. WE‐E‐BRB‐01: A Mathematical Model of the Optical Density Growth of EBT2 Film after Proton Irradiation Medical Physics. June 2012;39(6):3956.
62. Zhao L, Newton J, Adamovics J, Oldham M, Cheng C, Das I. SU‐E‐T‐88: 3D Dosimetry for Small Irregular Proton Fields Using a New PRESAGE® Dosimeter Medical Physics. June 2011;38(6):3506.
63. Cheng C, Srivastava S, Buchsbaum J, Zhao L, Wolanski M, Simmons J, Johnstone P, Das I. SU‐E‐T‐496: Dosimetric Comparison between Protons and Photons in the Field Junction in Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) Medical Physics. June 2011;38(6):3603.