Jessica R.L. Leif, MS
Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology - Clinical
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Senior Medical Physicist, Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1997 | East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA, MS, Physics |
| 1995 | Union College, Schenectady, NY, USA, BS, Physics |
Board Certifications
| 2003 | American Board of Radiology, Therapeutic Radiological |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Medical Physicist, Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2004 - 2005
Junior Medical Physicist, Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1997 - 2004
Research Assistant, Department of Biological Safety, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 1996 - 1997
Research Assistant, Department of Radiation Oncology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 1996 - 1997
Intern, Department of Biology, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 1993 - 1993
Intern, Division of Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 1991 - 1992
Intern, Department of Applied Science, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 1991 - 1991
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Supervisor of Dosimetry, Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - Present
Assistant Director, Radiological Physics Center, Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007 - 2014
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 292: Electronic Brachytherapy Dosimetry, College Park, MD, 2016 - Present
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Review and Extension of beam quality conversion factors for TG-51 Protocol, Alexandria, VA, 2016 - Present
Board Member-at-Large Designate, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Board of Directors, College Park, MD, 2015 - 2015
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Working on Model-Based Dose Calculation Algorithms in Brachytherapy, College Park, MD, 2014 - 2019
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Working Group on Recommendations for Radiotherapy External Beam Quality Assurance, College Park, MD, 2012 - Present
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Working Group on Radiation Dosimetry, College Park, MD, 2009 - 2014
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Working Group on Recommendations for Radiotherapy External Beam Quality Assurance, College Park, MD, 2007 - 2009
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 135: QA for Robotic Radiosurgery, College Park, MD, 2006 - 2011
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 106: Accelerator beam data commissioning equipment and procedures, College Park, MD, 2005 - 2010
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Professional and Public Relations Committee, College Park, MD, 2004 - 2005
Consultantships
Consultant, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, Philadelphia, PA, 2010 - 2014
Consultant, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Philadelphia, PA, 1999 - 2014
Honors & Awards
| 2007 | A Legacy of Leadership: 100 Incredible ECU Women, The Women's Roundtable, East Carolina University |
| 2007 | Keynote Speaker, East Carolina Physics Department Graduation, East Carolina University, Department of Physics, Greenville, NC |
| 2005 | The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Radiation Physics Leadership Award, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1995 | American Physical Society, Union College |
| 1995 | Sigma Xi, Union College |
| 1995 | New York Academy of Sciences, Union College |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Al-Hallaq HA, Chmura SJ, Salama JK, Lowenstein JR, McNulty S, Galvin JM, Followill DS, Robinson CG, Pisansky TM, Winter KA, White JR, Xiao Y, Matuszak MM. Benchmark credentialing results for NRG-BR001: The first National Cancer Institute-sponsored trial of stereotactic body radiation therapy for multiple metastases. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 97(1):155-163, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27843033.
- Al-Hallaq HA, Chmura S, Salama JK, Winter KA, Robinson CG, Pisansky TM, Borges V, Lowenstein JR, McNulty S, Galvin JM, Followill DS, Timmerman RD, White JR, Xiao Y, Matuszak MM. Rationale of technical requirements for NRG-BR001: The first NCI-sponsored trial of SBRT for the treatment of multiple metastases. Pract Radiat Oncol 6(6):E291-E298, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27345129.
- Kerns JR, Followill DS, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Taylor PA, Kry SF. Agreement between institutional measurements and treatment planning system calculations for basic dosimetric parameters as measured by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core-Houston. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 95(5):1527-1534, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27315667.
- Kerns JR, Followill DS, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Taylor PA, Stingo FC, Kry SF. Technical Report: Reference photon dosimetry data for Varian accelerators based on IROC-Houston site visit data. Med Phys 43(5):2374, 2016. PMID: 27147349.
- Followill DS, Kry SF, Qin L, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Aguirre JF, Ibbott GS. The Radiological Physics Center's standard dataset for small field size output factors. J Appl Clin Med Phys 13(5):3962, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22955664.
- Das IJ, Cheng CW, Watts RJ, Ahnesjö A, Gibbons J, Li XA, Lowenstein J, Mitra RK, Simon WE, Zhu TC. Accelerator beam data commissioning equipment and procedures: report of the TG-106 of the Therapy Physics Committee of the AAPM. Med Phys 35(9):4186-215, 2008. PMID: 18841871.
- Ibbott GS, Followill DS, Molineu HA, Lowenstein JR, Alvarez PE, Roll JE. Challenges in credentialing institutions and participants in advanced technology multi-institutional clinical trials. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 71(1):S71-S75, 2008. PMID: 18406942.
- Nag S, Cardenes H, Chang S, Das IJ, Erickson B, Ibbott GS, Lowenstein J, Roll J, Thomadsen B, Varia M. Proposed guidelines for image-based intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical carcinoma: report from Image-Guided Brachytherapy Working Group. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 60(4):1160-72, 2004. PMID: 15519788.
- Cho SH, Lowenstein JR, Balter PA, Wells NH, Hanson WF. Comparison between TG-51 and TG-21: Calibration of photon and electron beams in water using cylindrical chambers. J Appl Clin Med Phys 1(3):108-115, 2000. PMID: 11674825.
Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
- Lowenstein JR. Educational video on how to utilize the TG-51 calibration protocol, 2000.
Other Articles
- Dieterich S, Cavedon C, Chuang CF, Cohen AB, Garrett JA, Lee CL, Lowenstein JR, d'Souza MF, Taylor DD, Wu X, Yu C Report of AAPM TG 135: Quality assurance for robotic radiosurgery. Med Phys 38(6):2914-2936, 2011. PMID: 21815366.
Abstracts
- Lowenstein J, Molineau A, Al-Hallaq H, Matuszah M, Craig T, Ulin K, Xiao Y, Yin F, Followill DS. IGRT credentialing in NCTN trials. Med Phys 43(6):3417, 2016.
- Alvarez P, Molineau A, Lowenstein J, Taylor P, Kry SF, Followill DS. Independent remote audits for TG-51 non compliant photon beams performed by the IROC Houston QA Center. Med Phys 43(6):3574, 2016.
- Kim G, Muir B, Culerson W, Davis S, Huang Y, Lee S, Lowenstein J, Sarfehnia A, Tolani N, Siebers J. Results of a survey on the implementation of the TG-51 protocol and associated addendum on reference dosimetry of external beams. Med Phys 43(6):3743, 2016.
- Lowenstein JL, Nguyen H, Tailor A, Galvin J, Followill DS, Kiniry D, Julian T, Mamounas E, White J, Khan A, Shaitelman S, Torres M, Vicini F, Wolmark N, Curran W. An update of the credentialing process for the NRG Oncology NSABP B-51 / RTOG 1304 phase III randomized clinical trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 93(3):E570, 2015.
- Lee P, ALvarez P, Taylor P, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Kry S, Followil DS. An analysis of TG-51 electron beam calibration correction factor uncertainty. Med Phys 42(6):3353-3354, 2015.
- Lowenstein J, Nguyen H, Roll J, Walsh A, Tailor A, Followill DS. Benchmarks and pre-treatment reviews: A study of quality assurance effectiveness. Med Phys 42(6):3365-3366, 2015.
- Taylor P, Lowenstein J, Kry S, Ibbott G, Followill DS. A comparison of CT number to relative linear stopping power conversion curves used by proton therapy centers. Med Phys 42(6):3616, 2015.
- Followill DS, Kry S, Molineu A, Lowenstein J, Alvarez P, Taylor P, Nguyen H, Hernandez N, Lujano C, Nguyen T, Keith T, Roll J, Tailor A. The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston (IROC Houston) QA Center international activities outside North America. Med Phys 42(6):3628, 2015.
- Kry S, Dromgoole L, Alvarez P, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Taylor P, Followill DS. Common errors and deficiencies in radiation oncology practice. Med Phys 42(6):3691-3692, 2015.
- Kry S, Dromgoole P, Alvarez P, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Taylor P, Followill DS. IROC Houston on-site audits and parameters that affect performance. Med Phys 42(6):3692, 2015.
- Sloboda R, Ballester F, Carlsson Tedgren A, Culberson W, Esthappan J, Haworth A, Lowenstein J, Ma Y, Mourtada F, Papagiannis P, Pike T, Rivard M, Siebert F, Smith R, Spadinger I, Taylor P, Verhaegen F, Vijande J, Beaulieu L. Infrastructure and process for model-based dose calculation software commissioning in brachytherapy. Med Phys 42(6):3708, 2015.
- Followill DS, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Summers P, Kry S. The Radiological Physics Center (RPC): 45 years of improving radiotherapy dosimetry. Med Phys 41(6):97, 2014.
- Lowenstein J, Nguyen H, Holke A, Galvin J, Followill D. Technical aspects of credentialing for the NSABP B-51/RTOG 1304 trial. Med Phys 41(6):295-296, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Kerns J, Alvarez P, Followill DS, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Summers P, Kry S. Small field jaw/MLC reference data. Med Phys 41(6):334-335, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Summers P, Lowenstein J, Jakel O, Prokesch H, Alvarez P, Followill DS. Validation of the use of OSLD for carbon beam remote dosimetry. Med Phys 41(6):344, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Kerns J, Alvarez P, Followill DS, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Summers P, Kry S. Aggregation of linac measurements data. Med Phys 41(6):455, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Lowenstein JR, Kry SS, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Aguirre JF, Summer P, Followill D. High energy photon standard dosimetry data: A quality assurance tool. Med Phys 39(6):3754, 2012.
- Hollan A, Lowenstein JR, Nguyen H, Hall F, Harris I, Roll J, Followill D. The Radiological Physics Center's credentialing dosimetry reviews: Their effect on clinical trial deviation rates. Med Phys 39(6):3749, 2012.
- Followill, D, Lowenstein J, Molineu A, Alvarez P, Aguirre J, Kry S, Summers P, Ibbott G. The Radiological Physics Center's quality audit program: Where can we improve?. Med Phys 39(6):3866, 2012.
- Lowenstein J, Roll J, Harris I, Hall F, Hollan A, Followill, DF. Cervix brachytherapy dosimetry: Inconsistencies in defining bladder and rectal points. Med Phys 38(6):3572, 2011.
- Hollan A, Lowenstein J, Harris I, Hall F, Roll J, Followill D. Requirements for performing a retrospective patient chart review at the Radiological Physics Center (RPC) for clinical trials. Med Phys 38(6):3629, 2011.
- Dieterich S, Cavedon C, Chuang C, Chohan A, Garrett J, Lee C, Lowenstein J. QA of Radiation Delivery Systems - TG135 QA for robotic radiosurgery. Med Phys 37(6):3374, 2010.
- Lowenstein JR, Roll J, Ibbott G. Cervix brachytherapy dosimetry: Observed improvement in data submitted to clinical trials. Med Phys 36(6):2524, 2009.
- Dieterich S, Cavedon C, Chuang C, Cohen A, Garrett J, Lee C, Lowenstein J, D'Souza M, Taylor D, Wu X, Yu C. Performance-based QA for radiotherapy: TG-135-QA for robotic radiosurgery. Med Phys 36(6):2743, 2009.
- Molineu A, Lowenstein J, Hernandez N, Alvarez P, Followill D, Ibbott G. Has IMRT delivery improved in the last 5 years?. Med Phys 35(6):2762, 2008.
- Followill D, Molineu A, Lowenstein J, Alvarez P, Aguirre J, Ibbott G. Quality audits of the calibration for TG-51 non-compliant beams by the Radiological Physics Center. Med Phys 35(6):2774, 2008.
- Lowenstein J, Davis C, Roll J, Harris I, Followill D, Ibott G. The credentialing process for the NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 partial breast irradiation trial. Med Phys 33(6):2140, 2006.
- Leif J, Roll J, Followill D, Ibbott G. The value of credentialing. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 66:S716, 2006.
- Followill D, Lowenstein J, Jhingran A, Roll J, Hernandez N, Ibbott G. The Radiological Physics Center’s anthropomorphic quality assurance phantom family: New developments. Med Phys 32(6):2129, 2005.
- Lowenstein J, Roll J, Davis C, Holguin P, Duong H, Followill D, Ibbott G. Credentialing requirements for NSABP B-39 / RTOG 0413. Med Phys 32(6):2020-2021, 2005.
- Lowenstein J, Roll J, Ibbott G. Common dosimetry errors in cervix patients treated with brachytherapy on clinical trials. Med Phys 32(6):2107, 2005.
- Followill D, Lowenstein J, Ibbott G. High-energy photon standard dosimetry data: A quality assurance tool. Med Phys 31:1782, 2004.
- Lowenstein J, Roll J, Ibbott G. To plan or not to plan: Multiple high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy insertions. Med Phys 30:1464, 2003.
- Lowenstein J, Roll J, Hanson W, Davis D, Lanciano R, Calkins A, Petereit D, Varia M, Ibbott G. Radiotherapy quality assurance of gynecologic oncology group (GOG) protocol 165: A cooperative group study of carcinoma of the cervix. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 54(2):283, 2002.
- Balter P, Lowenstein J, Hanson W. Electron Calibrations: Parallel Plate Chambers vs. Cylindrical Chambers Using TG-51. Med Phys 28:1214, 2001.
- BenComo J, Followill D, Cho S, Balter P, Tailor R, Lowenstein J, Hernandez N, Hanson W. Comparison of on-site and off-site evaluations of dosimetry data. Proceedings of the 2000 World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, IEEE, 2000.
- Lowenstein J, Balter P, Followill D, Hanson WF. Implementation of TG-51: Practical Considerations. Proceedings of the 2000 World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, IEEE, 2000, 2000.
- BenComo J, Lowenstein J, Davis D, Davis C, Hanson W. Analysis of Radiological Physics Center remote tools program data. Med Phys 26:1161, 1999.
- Davis D, Followill D, Tailor R, Lowenstein J, Harris I, Roll J, Hanson W. Protocol pre-approval processes for radiotherapy treatment on clinical trials: The RPC experience. Med Phys 26:1159, 1999.
- Hanson W, Cho S, Lowenstein J. AAPM TG-51 Protocol for clinical reference dosimetry of high-energy photon and electron beams. Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, 1999.
- Lowenstein J, Cho S, Balter P, Hanson W. Comparison between TG-51 and TG-21: The results of TG-51 beta testing. Med Phys 26:1154, 1999.
Letters to the Editor
- Followill DS, Lowenstein JR, Ibbott G. Quality Assurance: Its Here to Stay. Newsletter American Association of Physicists in Medicine 28, 2003.
- Lowenstein JR. Implementation of TG-51: practical considerations. Newsletter American Association of Physicists in Medicine 25, 2000.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) Group |
| Funding Source: | American College of Radiology |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Radiation Oncology Therapy Group-IROC Group Transition Supplement |
| Funding Source: | American Board of Radiology |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Development of Standard Operating Procedures for Dosimetry Validation and Accreditation of Proton Therapy Centers, EXTENSION OF THE RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS CENTER GRANT |
| Funding Source: | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Radiological Physics Center |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Radiological Physics Center-Supplement |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | NRG Oncology Network Group for Proton Therapy Trials Start-up and Capitation |
| Funding Source: | American College of Radiology |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Extension and Expansion of a Vendor Services Agreement Centralized QA for CEL-SCI Study CS001P3 |
| Funding Source: | ICON plc |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | A Phase III, Open-Label Radomized, Multi-center Study of the Effects of Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection [Multikine] Plus Standard of Care (Surgery+Radiotherapy or Surgery+Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy) in Subjects with Advanced Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity/Soft Palate Versus Standard of Care Only |
| Funding Source: | ICON Clinical Research Limited |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified December 01, 2022