Brian A. Taylor, Ph.D.
Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
About Dr. Brian A. Taylor
Brian A. Taylor, Ph.D., DABR is an Associate Professor in the Department of Imaging Physics. He is a licensed medical physicist with board certification in Diagnostic Medical Physics from the American Board of Radiology. He provides clinical physics support for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound operations for MD Anderson in the Division of Diagnostic Imaging.
Dr. Taylor received his Ph.D. in Medical Physics from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 2010. He also received postdoctoral training in translational imaging research using MRI at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His work has been recognized both locally and nationally including the Aaron M. Blanchard Research Award in Medical Physics, American College of Medical Physics Graduate Student Award, and being named a Sowell-Huggins Scholar in Cancer Research. Dr. Taylor is a member of the Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging at The Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research.
Dr. Taylor has been a principal investigator or co-investigator in several research studies funded by sources including the National Institutes of Health and US Department of Veterans Affairs. His research focus is the development of MRI technology, quantitative imaging and image processing techniques to aid not only in the diagnosis of cancer, but also in planning treatments, in evaluating treatment response and in measuring the long-term effects of cancer and cancer therapy. This includes using advanced neuroimaging to better understand changes in cognition and behavior after cancer therapy and in individuals with traumatic brain injuries or substance use disorders.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Imaging Physics, Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Faculty, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Advanced neuroimaging. Quantitative MR imaging. Using neuroimaging to help understand cognition and behavior. Imaging chronic effects of cancer and cancer treatment.
Clinical Interests
Neuroimaging. Development and standardization of imaging protocols. Functional MRI and tractography for neurosurgery. Clinical support and quality assurance in MRI and ultrasound. Cardiac MRI.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2010 | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center - UTHealth, Houston, Texas, US, Medical Physics, Ph.D |
| 2005 | Union University, Jackson, Tennessee, US, Mathematics and Physics, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2010-2012 | Postdoctoral Fellowship, Translational Imaging Research, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2020 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2016 | American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Medical Physics |
Experience & Service
Other Professional Positions
Core Investigator, Cancer Neuroimaging Research Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2026 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Co-Director for Clinical Faculty, Imaging Physics Faculty Development Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Scientific Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Editorial Activities
Associate Editor, Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics, 2012 - 2024
Honors & Awards
| 2026 | Article of the Year, Military Medicine |
| 2025 | Editor in Chief Award of Excellence for an Outstanding General Medical Physics Article, American Association of Physicists in Medicine |
| 2023 | Faculty Excellence Award for Community Outreach, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 - 2025 | Career Development Award, National Institutes of Health |
| 2019 | Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging, The Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research |
| 2015 | Outstanding Young Alumnus of the Year, Union University |
| 2011 | Aaron Blanchard Research Award in Medical Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2010 | Andrew Sowell-Wade Huggins Scholarship in Cancer Research |
| 2005 | The Elizabeth Tigrett Medal, Union University |
Professional Memberships
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Establishing 2-hydroxyglutarate as a biomarker in IDH-mutant gliomas via multimodal non-invasive method |
| Funding Source: | IRG |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Personalized Neurostimulation for Smoking Cessation in Cancer Patients: An Image-Guided Approach |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Neuroscience Program |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2020 - 2025 |
| Title: | Multi-parametric MRI Assessment of Brain Connectivity and Spectroscopic Biomarkers in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 5K23DA049216-05 |
| Date: | 2019 - 2024 |
| Title: | Long-Term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium (LIMBIC) |
| Funding Source: | US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs |
| Role: | CO-I |
| ID: | W81XWH-18-PH/TBIRP-LIMBIC |
| Date: | 2015 - 2016 |
| Title: | Diffusion Tensor Imaging Standardization using Novel MR Diffusion Phantoms |
| Funding Source: | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Role: | CO-I |
| ID: | CENC0039P |
| Date: | 2014 - 2016 |
| Title: | Automated Assessment of White Matter Integrity in TBI Using Machine Learning, I21RX001565 |
| Funding Source: | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2013 - 2019 |
| Title: | Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) |
| Funding Source: | CDMRP/DoD/VA |
| Role: | CO-I |
| ID: | PT120517 |
| Date: | 2013 - 2017 |
| Title: | A Longitudinal Study of Chronic TBI in OEF/OIF/OND Veterans and Service Members |
| Funding Source: | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Role: | CO-I |
| ID: | VA 1 I01 RX001062 |
| Date: | 2013 - 2020 |
| Title: | Serotonergic Regulation of Corticostriatal Connectivity in Cocaine Dependence |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | CO-I |
| ID: | P50DA033935 |
| Date: | 2011 - 2015 |
| Title: | Treatment Strategy for Alcohol Use Disorders in Veterans with TBI |
| Funding Source: | Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Role: | CO-I |
| ID: | D7201I |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- McCullum L, Ding Y, Fuller CD, Taylor BA. Characterizing electronic noise interference from the external laser positioning system on a radiation therapy MRI simulation scanner. J Appl Clin Med Phys 27(8):e70731, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42563263.
- Muir MT, Noll K, Traylor JI, Patel R, Kumar VA, Prabhu SS, Hou P, Liu HL, Stafford RJ, Taylor BA. Resectability of White Matter Tracts in Patients With Language-Critical Gliomas. Neurosurgery 99(1):140-148, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41090910.
- Kang JU, Baldizon A, Salvador J, Taylor BA, Versace F. Attentional bias toward emotional and cigarette cues: Insights from a computer mouse-tracking task in adults who smoke and adults who do not smoke. Drug Alcohol Depend 285:113206, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42251816.
- Sambuco N, Versace F, Taylor BA. Cortical and Subcortical Signatures of Incentive Salience Attribution in Tobacco Use Disorder. Addiction Biology 31(5):e70151, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42144815.
- Monsivais H, Versace F, Wintermark M, Taylor BA. Reduced Whole-Brain Network Segregation and Dorsal Anterior-Cingulate Cortex Neurochemical Alterations in Chronic Smokers. Brain Behav 16(4):e71391, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42031554.
- Dagher R, Sun P, Al Qudah H, Kaya D, Alizada S, Taylor BA, Hou P, Wintermark M, Liu HL. Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI using Gadopiclenol for Evaluation of Relative Cerebral Blood Volume at 3T: A Comparison with Gadobutrol. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41672714.
- Muir MT, Noll K, Patel R, Prinsloo S, Michener H, Kumar VA, Ene C, Ferguson S, Weinberg JS, Lang F, Taylor BA, Prabhu SS. Toward data-driven surgical planning: multimodal mapping correlates of aphasic surgical deficits. J Neurosurg 144(2):1-12, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41135113.
- Muir MT, Noll K, Prinsloo S, Michener H, Traylor JI, Kumar VA, Ene CI, Ferguson S, Liu HL, Weinberg JS, Lang F, Taylor BA, Forkel SJ, Prabhu SS. Preoperative Brain Mapping Predicts Language Outcomes After Eloquent Tumor Resection. Hum Brain Mapp 46(15):e70340, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41099461.
- Kennedy E, Vadlamani S, Lindsey HM, Peterson KS, Dams O'Connor K, Agarwal R, Amiri HH, Andersen RK, Babikian T, Baron DA, Bigler ED, Caeyenberghs K, Delano-Wood L, Disner SG, Dobryakova E, Eapen BC, Edelstein RM, Esopenko C, Genova HM, Geuze E, Goodrich-Hunsaker NJ, Grafman J, Haberg AK, Hodges CB, Hoskinson KR, Hovenden ES, Irimia A, Jahanshad N, Jha RM, Keleher F, Kenney K, Koerte IK, Liebel SW, Livny A, Lovstad M, Martindale SL, Max JE, Mayer AR, Meier TB, Menefee DS, Mohamed AZ, Mondello S, Monti MM, Morey RA, Newcombe V, Newsome MR, Olsen A, Pastorek NJ, Pugh MJ, Razi A, Resch JE, Rowland JA, Russell K, Ryan NP, Scheibel RS, Schmidt AT, Spitz G, Stephens JA, Tal A, Talbert LD, Tartaglia MC, Taylor BA, Thomopoulos SI, Troyanskaya M, Valera EM, van der Horn HJ, Van Horn JD, Verma R, Wade BSC, Walker WC, Ware AL, Werner JK Jr, Yeates KO, Zafonte RD, Zeineh MM, Zielinski B, Thompson PM, Hillary FG, Tate DF, Wilde EA, Dennis EL. Linking Symptom Inventories Using Semantic Textual Similarity. J Neurotrauma 42(11-12):1008-1020, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40200899.
- Fagerstrom JM, Eliason G, Al-Hallaq H, Taylor BA, Ashraf MR, Viscariello N. Improving access in medical physics residency programs for physicists with disabilities. J Appl Clin Med Phys 25(10):e14518, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39284579.
- Tate DF, Bigler ED, York GE, Newsome MR, Taylor BA, Mayer AR, Pugh MJ, Presson AP, Ou Z, Hovenden ES, Dimanche J, Abildskov TJ, Agarwal R, Belanger HG, Betts AM, Duncan T, Eapen BC, Jaramillo CA, Lennon M, Nathan JE, Scheibel RS, Spruiell MB, Walker WC, Wilde EA. White Matter Hyperintensities and Mild TBI in Post-9/11 Veterans and Service Members. Mil Med 189(11-12):e2578-e2587, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39002108.
- Tate DF, Wade BSC, Velez CS, Bigler ED, Davenport ND, Dennis EL, Esopenko C, Hinds SR, Kean J, Kennedy E, Kenney K, Mayer AR, Newsome MR, Philippi CL, Pugh MJ, Scheibel RS, Taylor BA, Troyanskaya M, Werner JK, York GE, Walker W, Wilde EA. Persistent MRI Findings Unique to Blast and Repetitive Mild TBI: Analysis of the CENC/LIMBIC Cohort Injury Characteristics. Mil Med 189(9-10):e1938-e1946, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38401164.
- Wade, BS, Tate, DF, Kennedy, E, Bigler, ED, York, GE, Taylor, BA, Troyanskaya, M, Hovenden, ES, Goodrich-Hunsaker, N, Newsome, MR, Dennis, EL, Abildskov, T, Pugh, MJ, Walker, WC, Kenney, K, Betts, AM, Shih, R, Welsh, RC, Wilde, EA. Microstructural Organization of Distributed White Matter Associated With Fine Motor Control in US Service Members With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of Neurotrauma 41(1-2):32-40, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 37694678.
- Newsome, MR, Martindale, SL, Davenport, N, Dennis, EL, Diaz, M, Esopenko, C, Hodges, CB, Jackson, GR, Liu, Q, Kenney, K, Mayer, AR, Rowland, JA, Scheibel, RS, Steinberg, J, Taylor, BA, Tate, DF, Werner, JK, Walker, WC, Wilde, EA. Subcortical functional connectivity and its association with walking performance following deployment related mild TBI. Frontiers in Neurology 14, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38156092.
- Ma L, Cunningham KA, Anastasio NC, Bjork JM, Taylor BA, Arias AJ, Riley BP, Snyder AD, Moeller FG. A serotonergic biobehavioral signature differentiates cocaine use disorder participants administered mirtazapine. Nature Transl Psychiatry 12(1):187, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35523779.
- Dennis, EL, Taylor, BA, Newsome, MR, Troyanskaya, M, Abildskov, T, Betts, AM, Bigler, ED, Cole, J, Davenport, N, Duncan, TD, Gill, J, Guedes, V, Hinds, SR, Hovenden, ES, Kenney, K, Pugh, MJ, Scheibel, RS, Shahim, PP, Shih, R, Walker, WC, Werner, JK, York, GE, Cifu, DX, Tate, DF, Wilde, EA. Advanced brain age in deployment-related traumatic brain injury. Brain Injury 36(5):662-672, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35125044.
- Tate, DF, Dennis, EL, Adams, JT, Adamson, MM, Belanger, H, Bigler, ED, Bouchard, HC, Clark, AL, Delano-Wood, LM, Disner, SG, Eapen, B, Franz, CE, Geuze, E, Goodrich-Hunsaker, N, Han, K, Hayes, JP, Hinds, SR, Hodges, CB, Hovenden, ES, Irimia, A, Kenney, K, Koerte, IK, Kremen, WS, Levin, HS, Lindsey, HM, Morey, RA, Newsome, MR, Ollinger, J, Pugh, MJ, Scheibel, RS, Shenton, ME, Sullivan, DR, Taylor, BA, Troyanskaya, M, Velez, C, Wade, BS, Wang, X, Ware, AL, Zafonte, R, Thompson, PM, Wilde, EA. Coordinating Global Multi-Site Studies of Military-Relevant Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain Imaging and Behavior 15(2):585-613, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33409819.
- Wilde, EA, Goodrich-Hunsaker, N, Ware, AL, Taylor, BA, Biekman, B, Hunter, JV, Newman-Norlund, R, Scarneo, S, Casa, DJ, Levin, HS. Diffusion Tensor Imaging Indicators of White Matter Injury Are Correlated with a Multimodal Electroencephalography-Based Biomarker in Slow Recovering, Concussed Collegiate Athletes. Journal of Neurotrauma 37(19):2093-2101, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31931657.
- Bigler, ED, Skiles, M, Wade, BS, Abildskov, T, Tustison, NJ, Scheibel, RS, Newsome, MR, Mayer, AR, Stone, JR, Taylor, BA, Tate, DF, Walker, WC, Levin, HS, Wilde, EA. FreeSurfer 5.3 versus 6.0 are volumes comparable? A Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium study. Brain Imaging and Behavior 14(5):1318-1327, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 30511116.
- Ma, L, Steinberg, J, Bjork, JM, Taylor, BA, Arias, AJ, Terplan, M, Anastasio, NC, Zuniga, EA, Lennon, M, Cunningham, KA, Moeller, FG. Cingulo-hippocampal effective connectivity positively correlates with drug-cue attentional bias in opioid use disorder. Psychiatry Research - Neuroimaging 294, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31439409.
- Bigler ED, Abildskov TJ, Eggleston B, Taylor BA, Tate DF, Petrie JA, Newsome MR, Scheibel RS, Levin HS, Walker WC, Gooodrich-Hunsaker N, Tustison NJ, Stone JR, Mayer AR, Duncan TD, York GE, Wilde EA. Structural Neuroimaging of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A chronic effects of neurotrauma study. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 28(3):e1781, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Dennis EL, Wilde EA, Newsome MR, Scheibel RS, Troyanskaya M, Velez C, Wade BSC, Drennon AM, York GE, Bigler ED, Abildskov TJ, Taylor BA, Jaramillo CA, Eapen B, Belanger H, Gupta V, Morey R, Haswell C, Levin HS, Hinds SR 2nd, Walker WC, Thompson PM, Tate DF. Enigma Military Brain Injury: A Coordinated Meta-analysis of Diffusion MRI From Multiple Cohorts. Proc IEEE Int Symp Biomed Imaging 2018:1386-1389, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30034577.
- Wilde EA, Provenzale JM, Taylor BA, Boss M, Zuccolotto A, Hachey R, Pathak S, Tate DF, Abildskov TJ, Schneider W. Assessment of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Metrics in the Brain through the Use of a Novel Phantom. Brain Inj 32(10):1266-1276, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Newsome MR, Wilde EA, Bigler ED, Liu Q, Mayer AR, Taylor BA, Steinberg JL, Tate DF, Abildskov TJ, Scheibel RS, Walker WC, Levin HS. Functional Brain Connectivity and Cortical Thickness in Relation to Chronic Pain in Post-911 Veterans and Service Members with mTBI. Brain Inj 32(10):1236-1244, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Provenzale JM, Taylor BA, Wilde EA, Boss M, Schneider W. Analysis of Variability of Fractional Anisotropy Values at 3T Using a Novel Diffusion Tensor Imaging Phantom. Neuroradiol J 31(16):1236-1244, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Savjani RS, Taylor BA, Acion L, Wilde EA, Jorge RE. Accelerated Changes in Cortical Thickness Measurements in Military Service Members with Traumatic Brain Injury. Jour Neurotrauma 34(22):3107-3116, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Stone JR, Wilde EA, Taylor BA, Tate DF, Levin H, Bigler ED, Scheibel RS, Newsome MR, Mayer AR, Abildskov T, Black GM, Lennon MJ, York GE, Agarwal R, DeVillasante J, Ritter JL, Walker PB, Ahlers ST, Tustison NJ. Supervised Learning Technique for the Automated Identification of White Matter Hyperintensities in Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain Injury 30(12):1458-1468, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Wilde EA, Bigler ED, Huff T, Wang H, Black GM, Christensen Z, Goodrich-Hunsaker N, Petrie J, and CENC Neuroimaging Core Investigators including Abildskov T, Taylor BA, Stone JR, Tustison NJ, Newsome MR, Levin HS, Chu ZD, York GE, Tate DF. Quantitative Structural Neuroimaging of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC): Comparison of Volumetric Data within and across Scanners. Brain Injury 30(12):1442-1451, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Newsome MR, Li X, Lin X, Wilde EA, Ott S, Biekman B, Hunter JV, Dash PK, Taylor BA, Levin HS. Functional Connectivity is Altered in Concussed Adolescents Athletes Despite Medical Clearance to Return to Play: A Preliminary Report. Front Neurol 15(7):116, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Newsome MR, Mayer AR, Lin X, Jackson GR, Scheibel RS, Walder A, Sathiyaraj A, Wilde EA, Mukhi S, Taylor BA, Levin HS. Chronic Effects of Blast-Related TBI on Subcortical Functional Connectivitiy in Veterans. Jour Intern Neuropsych Soc, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
Review Articles
- Harris, AD, Amiri, H, Bento, M, Cohen, R, Ching, CR, Cudalbu, C, Dennis, EL, Doose, A, Ehrlich, S, Kirov, II, Mekle, R, Oeltzschner, G, Porges, E, Souza, R, Tam, FI, Taylor, BA, Thompson, PM, Quidé, Y, Wilde, EA, Williamson, J, Lin, AP, Bartnik-Olson, B. Harmonization of multi-scanner in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Frontiers in Neurology 13, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36686533.
Abstracts
- Hong J, Kumar VA, Hou P, Khalaf AM, Taylor BA, Wintermark M, Liu HLA. Effects of DTI Deep Learning Reconstruction on Clinical Tractography in Patients with Brain Tumors. Radiological Society of North America, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Taylor BA, Stafford RJ, Gladish GW. Increasing the Accessibility of Cardiac MR Exams for Inpatients with Cardiorespiratory Symptoms. Radiological Society of North America, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Monsivais H, Versace F, Taylor BA. Brain Structural Covariance Networks in Nicotine-Dependent Users: A Graph Analysis. American Association of Physicists in Medicine, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Muir M, Noll K, Kumar VA, Prabhu SS, Stafford RJ, Taylor BA. Towards Data-Driven Tractography for Surgical Planning. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Monsivais H, Versace F, Salvador J, Baldizon A, Wintermark M, Taylor BA. Structural and neurochemical changes in the anterior cingulate cortex of nicotine-dependent users. International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Sun P, Kaya D, Taylor BA, Hou P, Wintermark M, Liu HLA. Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI Using Gadopiclenol: A Comparison with Gadobutrol. American Association of Physicists in Medicine, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Taylor BA. Longitudinal MR Spectroscopy and Volumetric Quantification in Neuroimaging. American Association of Physicists in Medicine, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Newsome MR, Liu Q, Wilde EA, Steinberg JL, Scheibel RS; Levin H, Tate DF, Martindale-Supak S, Davenport N, Hodges CB, Rowland J, Kenney K, Werner JK, Mayer AR, Taylor BA, Jaramillo C, & Walker WC. Aberrant Striatal Functional Connectivity in Relation to Walking in Veterans with mTBI. The Organization for Human Brain Mapping 2022, Glasgow, Scotland, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Majd N, Wefel J, Nguyen F, Monsivais H, Aaroe A, Patel C, Patel A, Weathers SP, Kumar V, Guha I, Quarles C, Wintermark M, Taylor BA. 2-HG MRS and Neurocognitive Function Monitoring During Vorasidenib Treatment in IDH-Mutant Gliomas: An All-Comers Pilot Study. Society for Neuro Oncology.
Book Chapters
- Wilde, EA, Taylor BA, Jorge, RE. Brain Morphometric Techniques Applied to the Study of Traumatic Brain Injury. In: Brain Morphometry. Eds. G. Spalletta, F. Piras, and T. Gili. Humana Press, 2018.
- Stafford, RJ, Taylor BA. Practical Clinical Thermometry. In: Physics of Thermal Therapy: Fundamentals and Clinical Applications. Ed E. Moros. CRC Press. Taylor and Francis Group LLC, 2012.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 15, 2026