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David Fuentes, PhD

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Instructor, Department of Imaging Physics - Research, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Research Interests

My research interests concern the development, implementation, and validation of high performance human assisted computational tools for image-guided interventions. The unique dynamic closed loop control system, facilitated by the coupling of the predictive capabilities of computational simulation with real-time imaging feedback, has the potential to enable novel and robust model-constrained approaches to imaging as well as lay the foundation for reliable minimally invasive computer assisted treatment modalities.   

My current research focuses on exploiting the predictive abilities of sophisticated numerical algorithms for pretreatment planning, real-time monitoring, and real-time feedback control of laser induced thermal therapies of cancer. The effort to provide accurate predictions and real-time control of the patient specific bioheat transfer are based on finite element techniques that span the fields of: Uncertainty Quantification, Optimization, Control Theory, Parallel Computing, Image Processing, Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, Error Estimation, and Adaptivity.

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2008 The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, PHD, Computational and Applied Mathematics
2005 The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, MS, Computational and Applied Mathematics
2002 The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, BS, With Highest Honors, Aerospace Engineering

Honors and Awards

2008-2010 Medical Physics Training Grant, NIH
2003-2007 CAM Fellowship, University of Texas at Austin
2001-2002 Maureen M. and Richard E. Wakeland Endowed Scholarship in Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
2000-2001 ASE/EM Visiting Committee Scholarship, University of Texas at Austin
1999-2002 University Honors, University of Texas at Austin

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Fuentes D, Cardan R, Stafford RJ, Yung J, Dodd GD, Feng Y. High-fidelity Computer Models for Prospective Treatment Planning of Radiofrequency Ablation with In Vitro Experimental Correlation. J Vasc Interv Radiol. e-Pub 10/2/2010. PMID: 20920840.
2. Fuentes D, Feng Y, Elliott A, Shetty A, McNichols RJ, Oden JT, Stafford RJ. Adaptive real-time bioheat transfer models for computer-driven MR-guided laser induced thermal therapy. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 57(5):1024-30, 5/2010. e-Pub 2/5/2010. PMID: 20142153.
3. Fuentes D, Oden JT, Diller KR, Hazle JD, Elliott A, Shetty A, Stafford RJ. Computational modeling and real-time control of patient-specific laser treatment of cancer. Ann Biomed Eng 37(4):763-82, 4/2009. e-Pub 1/16/2009. PMID: 19148754.
4. Feng Y, Fuentes D, Hawkins A, Bass J, Rylander MN, Elliott A, Shetty A, Stafford RJ, Oden JT. Nanoshell-mediated laser surgery simulation for prostate cancer treatment. Eng Comput 25(1):3-13, 2009. PMCID: PMC2905827.
5. Feng Y, Fuentes D, Hawkins A, Bass JM, Rylander MN. Optimization and real-time control for laser treatment of heterogeneous soft tissues. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 198(21):1742-1750, 2009. PMCID: PMC2871336.
6. Oden JT, Diller KR, Bajaj C, Browne JC, Hazle J, Babuška I, Bass J, Biduat L, Demkowicz L, Elliott A, Feng Y, Fuentes D, Prudhomme S, Rylander MN, Stafford RJ, Zhang Y. Dynamic Data-Driven Finite Element Models for Laser Treatment of Cancer. Numer Methods Partial Differ Equ 23(4):904-922, 4/26/2007. PMCID: PMC2850081.
7. Oden JT, Diller KR, Bajaj C, Browne JC, Hazle J, Babuška I, Bass J, Demkowicz L, Feng Y, Fuentes D, Prudhomme S, Rylander MN, Stafford RJ, Zhang Y. Development of a Computational Paradigm for Laser Treatment of Cancer. Lect Notes Comput Sci 3993/2006:530-537, 2006. PMCID: PMC2676779.

Last updated: 10/21/2010