Thomas J Whitaker, PHD
Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Physics - Patient Care, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
My research interest are in outcomes research and knowledge based planning. This includes novel methods for constructing large datasets, machine learning, and deep learning techniques to perform patient outcomes research as well as knowledge based planning. I have a secondary interest in applying outcomes research and knowledge based planning to novel therapies such as particle therapy and hypo-fractionated radiotherapy. I utilize the programming languages: R, Python, C#, F#, SQL, Tableau, and the Varian Eclipse API to further my research.
Clinical Interests
I have a full spectrum of radiation therapy clinical practice experience which include: proton therapy using Varian treatment planning systems and Hitachi Pro-Beat delivery system, utilization and care of Elekta, Varian, and Cyberknife linear accelerator systems, utilization and care of Varisource remote after loader, installation and maintenance of Pinnicle, Eclipse, Brachyvision, Odyssey, and Multiplan treatment planning systems, clinical delivery and quality assurance of IMPT, IMRT, SBRT, SRS and HDR brachytherapy. While at Mayo Clinic I was: the physics liaison to the radiation oncology GU disease site group, provided technical oversight of the radiation oncology departments informatics efforts, worked collaboratively with dosimetrists on proton therapy planning, worked collaboratively with Information Technology personnel to support clinical information systems, performed quality assurance of proton therapy plans, and quality assurance of proton therapy delivery systems.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2006 | Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA, Resident, Resident |
| 2004 | Department of Physics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, PHD, Nuclear Physics |
| 2001 | Department of Physics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, MS, Physics |
| 1999 | Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM, USA, BS, Physics |
Postgraduate Training
| 2015-2015 | NIH Funded Fellowship, Big Data Coursework for Computational Medicine, University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN |
Board Certifications
| 2010 | American Board of Radiology, Therapeutic Medical Physics |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Physics - Patient Care, Division of Radiation Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Senior Faculty, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2020
Assistant Professor of Medical Physics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, 2015 - 2019
Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2015 - 2019
Senior Associate Consultant, Division of Medical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2012 - 2015
Physicist, Department of Radiation Oncology, Wellstar Health Systems, Marietta, GA, 2006 - 2012
Research Assistant, Department of Physics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 2000 - 2004
Associate Instructor, Department of Physics, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, 1999 - 2000
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Radiation Oncology Clinical Research Council, 2021 - Present
Member, Radiation Oncology Nomenclature Committee, 2021 - Present
Member, ROSI Faculty Seed Award Review Committee, 2020 - Present
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified October 31, 2023