Tien Tang, Ph.D.
Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Imaging Physics - Research, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Imaging Physics - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2018 | Rice University- George R. Brown School of Engineering, Houston, Texas, US, Bioengineering, Ph.D |
| 2013 | Rice University-George R. Brown School of Engineering, Houston, Texas, US, Bioengineering, MS |
| 2012 | University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, Biomedical Engineering, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2019-2023 | Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 2013-2018 | Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas |
| 2012-2013 | Research Assistant, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas |
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | Radiation Research Society Early Career Investigator Travel Award |
| 2019 | TXCH Small Animal Imaging Symposium Trainee Oral Presentation Award |
| 2018 | Institute of Bioscience and Bioengineering Travel Award |
| 2016 | Smalley-Curl Institute Annual Transdisciplinary Symposium - Best presentation |
| 2016 - 2017 | Award registration to Radiation Research Annual Meeting |
| 2015 | Rice University Graduate Student Travel Grant |
| 2014 - 2015 | Howard Hughes Medical Institute Med Into Grad Fellow |
| 2014 - 2019 | Radiation Research Society Scholar in Training Travel Award |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2024. Metformin radiosensitizes medulloblastoma cells to photon but not proton. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Tuscon, AZ, US.
- 2024. Predicting and overcoming radioresistance in the treatment of recurrent medulloblastoma: a preclinical study. Conference. American Association of Physicists in Medicine Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA, US.
- 2022. Differences in the delayed effects of acute radiation exposure between pediatric males and females. Conference. Waikoloa Village, HI, US.
- 2022. Identifying imaging features that predict radiation therapy response in a preclinical setting. Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Proton therapy could offer a biologic advantage in the treatment of recurrent medulloblastoma. Conference. Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group Annual Conference. Miami, FL, US.
- 2021. Metformin radiosensitizes treatment resistant medulloblastomas. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Virtual meeting, US.
- 2021. Imaging radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction. Conference. UTSA Biomedical Engineering Seminar, US.
- 2021. Metformin radiosensitizes photon-radioresistant medulloblastomas. Conference. Annual TXCH Research Symposium. Virtual Meeting, US.
- 2020. Characterization of radiation response in normal and tumor tissue using texture features. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Virtual Meeting, US.
- 2019. Predicting brain tumor response to radiation using machine learning and diagnostic images: a preclinical study. Conference. Predicting brain tumor response to radiation using machine learning and diagnostic images: a preclinical study. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2019. A preclinical study of long-term changes in neurocognitive and imaging between proton and photon cranial radiotherapy. Conference. Small Animal Imaging Facility Spring Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Using machine learning to predict radiation therapy response. Conference. Texas Children’s Research Seminar. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Image-based predictors of radiation therapy outcome in medulloblastoma patients. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2018. A supervised machine learning approach to predict treatment response in medulloblastoma patents. Conference. TXCH Annual Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Predicting patient outcome using image derived features. Conference. Bioengineering Department Breakfast Club. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Classification of brain tumors using texture based analysis of T1-post contrast MR scans in a preclinical model. Conference. SPIE Medical Imaging. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Predicting Radiation Therapy Outcome Using MR Derived Image Features In A Preclinical Medulloblastoma Model. Conference. Gulf Coast Consortia Magnetic Resonance Radiogenomics Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Predicting treatment response in a preclinical medulloblastoma model using MR image features. Conference. TXCH Annual Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Predicting Radiation Therapy Outcome Using MR Derived Image Features In A Preclinical Medulloblastoma Model. Conference. Gulf Coast Consortia Magnetic Resonance Radiogenomics Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. MRI texture features are predictive of treatment outcome in preclinical medulloblastoma model. Conference. Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Using image features to predict radiation response. Conference. Smalley-Curl Institute Annual Transdisciplinary Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Classifying Radiation Response Using Functional and Structural Imaging Parameters in a Pediatric Brain Tumor Model. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Big Island, HI, US.
- 2016. Utilizing Noninvasive Imaging Techniques to Classify Radiation Response in a Pediatric Brain Tumor Model. Conference. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MN, US.
- 2016. “Utilizing Noninvasive Imaging Techniques to Classify Radiation Response in a Pediatric Brain Tumor Model. Conference. Bioengineering Department Breakfast Club. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Modeling tumor metabolism using dynamic positron emission tomography. Conference. Small Animal Imaging Facility Spring Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Using imaging derived features to characterize radiation response. Conference. Smalley-Curl Institute Annual Transdisciplinary Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Mining Imaging-derived Features to Characterize Radiation Response in a Pediatric Brain Tumor Model. Conference. Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Development and Characterization of Different Radioresponse for a Pediatric Brain Tumor Model. Conference. 13th Annual Dan L Duncan Cancer Center Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Using Non-invasive Imaging Modalities to Characterize the Radioresponse of a Pediatric Brain Tumor Model. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Fort Lauderdale, FL, US.
- 2015. The effect of Radiation Induced Bone Marrow Derived Cell Recruitment to Gliomas. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Houston, FL, US.
- 2015. Assessing gastrointestinal damage from radiation exposure using 18F-FDG-PET”. Conference. Small Animal Imaging Facility Spring Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Using 18F-FDG/FLT-PET for the assessment of gastrointestinal damage from radiation exposure. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2014. Tumor Characterization using Translational Multimodality Imaging. Conference. Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Research Seminar Series. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Characterization of C6 Gliomas Using Pharmacokinetic Models of 18F-FDG-PET, 18F-FLT-PET, 18F-FDOPA-PET. Conference. BIOE Graduate Student Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. NF-κB blockade by NEMO binding domain peptide radiosensitize recurrent medulloblastoma. Conference. Montreal, CA.
- 2017. Late Imaging Changes Post-cranial Irradiation in Rodent Model. Conference. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting,. Cancun, MX.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2026 - 2028 |
| Title: | Towards an image-feature-based model of proton relative biological effectiveness |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | TBA |
| Date: | 2025 - 2027 |
| Title: | Leveraging the differential biological response of photon and proton therapy to improve treatment outcome of pediatric brain tumors |
| Funding Source: | St. Baldricks Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | FP00022547 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2029 |
| Title: | Alpha particle radiation as an immune sensitizer in glioblastoma multiforme |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - 2027 |
| Title: | Sensitizing glioblastoma multiforme to immune checkpoint blockade using diffusing alpha-emitters radiation therapy |
| Funding Source: | CPRIT |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Imaging Physics Career Enhancement Research Award |
| Funding Source: | UTMDACC |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2022 - 2026 |
| Title: | Enhanced Biomechanical Modeling of the Breast for Womens Health |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIBIB |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | 5R01EB032533-04 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2026 |
| Title: | Integrating patient-specific clinical and biological factors towards individualizing utilization of proton and photon radiation therapy: Project 1: Understanding normal tissue toxicity to identify patients most likely to benefit from proton therapy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Project Co- Lead |
| ID: | 5P01CA261669-03 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Tang TT, Zawaski JA, Sabek OM, Gaber MW. High variability in short and long-term recovery kinetic of blood cell count and blood chemistry in a partial body irradiation mouse model. Int J Radiat Biol 100(4):565-572, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38306486.
- Tang TT, Zawaski JA, Kesler S, Beamish CA, Inoue T, Perez EC, Bronk L, Poenisch F, Briere TM, Sabek OM, Grosshans DR, Waleed Gaber M. Cognitive and Imaging Differences After Proton and Photon Whole Brain Irradiation in a Preclinical Model. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 112(2):554-564, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34509550.
- Kesler SR, Tang T, Henneghan AM, Wright M, Gaber MW, Palesh O. Cross-Sectional Characterization of Local Brain Network Connectivity Pre and Post Breast Cancer Treatment and Distinct Association With Subjective Cognitive and Psychological Function. Front Neurol 12:746493, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34777216.
- Gaber MW, Rodgers SP, Tang TT, Sabek OM, Zawaski JA. Differentiation of Heterogeneous Radiation Exposure Using Hematology and Blood Chemistry. Radiat Res 193(1):24-33, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31671011.
- Tang TT, Zawaski JA, Francis KN, Qutub AA, Gaber MW. Image-based Classification of Tumor Type and Growth Rate using Machine Learning: a preclinical study. Sci Rep 9(1):12529, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31467303.
- Tang TT, Zawaski JA, Kesler SR, Beamish CA, Reddick WE, Glass JO, Carney DH, Sabek OM, Grosshans DR, Gaber MW. A comprehensive preclinical assessment of late-term imaging markers of radiation-induced brain injury. Neurooncol Adv 1(1):vdz012, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31608330.
- Shapiro MC, Tang T, Dasgupta A, Kurenbekova L, Shuck R, Gaber MW, Yustein JT. In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of a Preclinical Irradiation-Adapted Model for Ewing Sarcoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 101(1):118-127, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29534895.
- Long BL, Li H, Mahadevan A, Tang T, Balotin K, Grandel N, Soto J, Wong SY, Abrego A, Li S, Qutub AA. GAIN: A graphical method to automatically analyze individual neurite outgrowth. J Neurosci Methods 283:62-71, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28336360.
- Tang TT, Rendon DA, Zawaski JA, Afshar SF, Kaffes CK, Sabek OM, Gaber MW. Imaging Radiation-Induced Gastrointestinal, Bone Marrow Injury and Recovery Kinetics Using 18F-FDG PET. PLoS One 12(1):e0169082, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28052129.
- Markovitz CD, Tang TT, Lim HH. Tonotopic and localized pathways from primary auditory cortex to the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus. Front Neural Circuits 7:77, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23641201.
- Markovitz CD, Tang TT, Edge DP, Lim HH. Three-dimensional brain reconstruction of in vivo electrode tracks for neuroscience and neural prosthetic applications. Front Neural Circuits 6:39, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22754502.
Invited Articles
- Tang TT, Zawaski JA, Francis KN, Qutub AA, Gaber MW. Classification of brain tumors using texture based analysis of T1-post contrast MR scans in a preclinical. Medical Imaging 2018: Computer-Aided Diagnosis 10575, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
Review Articles
- Wilson LJ, Tang TT, Moore J, Langen B, Constanzo J. Acknowledging and overcoming barriers to entry into radiation science for women. Int J Radiat Biol 98(3):517-521, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34279171.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 24, 2025