Xinming Liu, Ph.D., D.A.B.R.
Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
About Dr. Xinming Liu
Xinming Liu received his Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation from Xi’an Jiaotong University, China in 1996. He completed his postdoctoral training at The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and began his academic career in the Division of Diagnostic Imaging at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1998. Dr. Liu holds a joint position at The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Houston.
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Dr. Liu is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and a licensed medical physicist with specialties in Diagnostic Radiologic Physics supporting CT clinical operation in the Division of Diagnostic Imaging. His clinical activities are focused on CT protocol optimization, CT protocol management, and CT radiation dose management. His research interests are the development and applications of digital imaging techniques for cancer detection and evaluation.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Medical image quality measurement & evaluation | Digital radiography & digital mammography | Digital imaging detector techniques | Biomedical instrumentation
Clinical Interests
CT protocol optimization | CT protocol management | CT radiation dose management
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1996 | Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, CN, Biomedical Engineering & Instrumentation, Ph.D |
| 1987 | Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, CN, Electrical Engineering, M.S |
| 1984 | Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, CN, Electrical Engineering, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 1997-1998 | Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2008 | American Board of Radiology - Diagnostic Radiologic Physics |
Experience & Service
Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Radiation Protocol Review Committee (DI), 2020 - Present
member, representative for the Department of Imaging Physics, Faculty Appeals Panel Committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff, 2017 - 2023
Member, Faculty Academic Review Committee, 2015 - 2019
Member, Radiation Safety Committee, 2014 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2020 | DI Patient Care/Clinical Quality Project Award - DI Celebrate Solutions, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 | Senior Member, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) |
| 2004 | Honorable Mention Poster Award, SPIE Medical Imaging |
| 2001 | Honorable Mention Poster Award, SPIE Medical Imaging |
| 1998 | Honorable Mention Poster Award, SPIE Medical Imaging |
| 1996 | Advanced Science & Technology Award, Shaanxi Provincial Educational Commission |
| 1996 | Advanced Science & Technology Award, State Educational Commission of China |
| 1996 | Outstanding Graduate Student Achievement Award, Xian Jiaotong University |
| 1996 | Silver Medal Award, Beijing International Exhibition of Inventions |
| 1996 | University Research Award, Xian Jiaotong University |
| 1995 | Outstanding Teaching Award, Xian Jiaotong University |
| 1993 | University Research Award, Xian Jiaotong University |
| 1984 - 1987 | National Scholarship for Graduate Students, Xian Jiaotong University |
| 1981 - 1984 | Outstanding Student Achievement Award, Xian Jiaotong University |
| 1980 - 1984 | National Scholarship for Undergraduate Students, Xian Jiaotong University |
Professional Memberships
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2022 - 2023 |
| Title: | Dose neutral direct comparison of hepatic lesion evaluation by SECT DLIR versus DECT DLIR and overall clinical impact of DLIR |
| Funding Source: | GE Healthcare |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 60455 |
| Date: | 2019 - 2021 |
| Title: | 2016-1135: Hepatic Lesion Detection Evaluation of Standard Dose FBP Compared to DLIR at a Reduced Radiation Dose Level |
| Funding Source: | GE Healthcare |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2010 - 2015 |
| Title: | DTS Imaging with a Digitally Addressable X-Ray Source (DAXS) |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2007 - 2012 |
| Title: | A Dual Resolution Cone Beam CT System for 3-D Breast Imaging |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | CA124585-01A1 |
| Date: | 2004 - 2011 |
| Title: | Optimized Digital Mammography with an a-Se FP Imager |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | CA104759-05 |
| Date: | 2002 - 2010 |
| Title: | aSi/CsI FP Digital Chest Imaging with Scatter Rejection and Exposure Equalization |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIBIB |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | EB000117 |
| Date: | 2000 - 2005 |
| Title: | Dual-Energy Digital Mammography with a Full-Field aSi/Csl Flat-panel Imager |
| Funding Source: | DOD/Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (DOD/CDMRP) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | DAMD17-00-1-0316-3 |
| Date: | 2000 - 2005 |
| Title: | Physical Imaging Properties of FCR5000 Radiography System |
| Funding Source: | Fuji Medical System |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | SR00-55 |
| Date: | 1997 - 2005 |
| Title: | Asymmetric Dual-Screen CR Chest Imaging |
| Funding Source: | National Cancer Institute |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | CA51248-12 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Jensen CT, Wong VK, Wagner-Bartak NA, Liu X, Padmanabhan Nair Sobha R, Sun J, Likhari GS, Gupta S. Accuracy of liver metastasis detection and characterization: Dual-energy CT versus single-energy CT with deep learning reconstruction. Eur J Radiol 168:111121, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37806195.
- Ahmad M, Sun P, Peterson CB, Anderson MR, Liu X, Morani AC, Jensen CT. Low pitch significantly reduces helical artifacts in abdominal CT. Eur J Radiol 166:110977. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37481832.
- Ahmad M, Liu X, Morani AC, Ganeshan D, Anderson MR, Samei E, Jensen CT. Oncology-specific radiation dose and image noise reference levels in adult abdominal-pelvic CT. Clin Imaging 93(1):52-59, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36375364.
- Szczykutowicz TP, Ahmad M, Liu X, Pozniak MA, Lubner MG, Jensen CT. How Do Cancer-Specific Computed Tomography Protocols Compare With the American College of Radiology Dose Index Registry? An Analysis of Computed Tomography Dose at 2 Cancer Centers. J Comput Assist Tomogr 47(3):429-436, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37185007.
- Jensen, CT, Gupta, S, Saleh, M, Liu, X, Wong, VK, Salem, UI, Qiao, W, Samei, E, Wagner-Bartak, N. Reduced-Dose Deep Learning Reconstruction for Abdominal CT of Liver Metastases. Radiology 303(1):90-98, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35014900.
- Jensen, C, Gupta, S, Saleh, M, Liu X, Wong, V, Salem, U, Qiao, W, Samei, E, Wagner-Bartak, N. Reduced-Dose Deep-Learning Reconstruction for abdominal CT of Liver Metastases. Radiology 303(3):90-98, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Cody DD, Dillon CM, Fisher TS, Liu X, McNitt-Gray MF, Patel V. AAPM MEDICAL PHYSICS PRACTICE GUIDELINE 1.b.: CT Protocol Management and Review. J Appl Clin Med Phys 22(6):4-10, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33938120.
- Jensen CT, Khetan R, Adkins J, Javadi S, Liu X, Sun J, Hassan SA, Morani AC. Delayed Bolus-tracking Trigger at CT Correlates with Cardiac Dysfunction and Suboptimal Portovenous Contrast Phase. Abdominal Radiology 46(2):826-835, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32700213.
- Fielding JC, Wagner-Bartak NA, Javadi S, Morani AC, Ganeshan D, Ibarra-Rovira JJ, Liu X, and Jensen CT. Improved Computed Tomography Contrast Injection Rates Through Implantable Chest Power Ports. J Comput Assist Tomogr 44(6):911-913, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32976270.
- Jensen CT, Liu X, Tamm EP, Chandler AG, Sun J, Morani AC, Javadi S, Wagner-Bartak NA. Image Quality Assessment of Abdominal CT Using New Deep Learning Image Reconstruction: Initial Experience. AJR 215(1):50-57, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32286872.
- Cheng Y, Smith TB, Jensen CT, Liu X, Samei E. Correlation of Algorithmic and Visual Assessment of Lesion Detection in Clinical Images. Acad Radiol 27(6):847-855, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31447259.
- Zhang D, Liu X, Duan X, Bankier AA, Rong J, Palmer M. Estimating patient water equivalent diameter from CT localizer images - A longitudinal and multi-institutional study of the stability of calibration parameters. Med Phys 47(5):2139-2149, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
Invited Articles
- Shen Y, Chen L, Ge S, Yi Y, Han T, Zhong Y, Lai CJ, Liu X, Wang T, Shaw CC. Visibility of microcalcifications in CCD-based cone beam CT: a preliminary study. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 7258:72580M(1-9), 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Han T, Chen L, Lai CJ, Liu X, Shen Y, Zhong Y, Ge S, Yi Y, Wang T, Shaw CC. Volume and tissue composition preserving deformation of breast CT images to simulate breast compression in mammographic imaging. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 7258:72580K(1-8), 2009. e-Pub 2009.
Abstracts
- Jimenez J, Rong J, Jensen C, Jones A, Liu X. How Localizer Orders Impact Image Quality and Radiation Dose in Computed Tomography - A Phantom Study. Medical Physics 47(6):e538, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Jacobsen M, Thompson E, Liu X, Odisio B, Cressman E, Layman R. Comparison of IMAR and AiMAR Techniques for Metal Artifact Reduction in CT-Guided Microwave Ablations. Medical Physics 47(6):e521, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Zhong Y, Lai CJ, Chen L, Han T, Shen Y, Liu X, Wang T, Ge S, Yi Y, You Z, Shaw CC. Calcification visibility study using combined high dose and low dose cone beam CT projections. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 51, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Shen Y, Shen L, Ge S, Yi Y, Han T, Zhong Y Lai CJ, Liu X, Want T, Shaw CC. Visibility of microcalcifications in CCD-based cone beam CT: a preliminary study. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 7, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Han T, Lai CJ, chen L, Liu X, Shen Y, Zhong Y, Ge S, Yi Y, Wang T, Yang WT, Shaw CC. Breast Density Measurement:3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images versus 2D digital mammograms. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 7, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Han T, Chen L, Lai CJ, Liu X, Shen Y, Zhong Y, Ge S, Yi Y, Wang T, Shaw CC. Volume and tissue composition preserving deformation of breast CT images to simulate breast compression in mammographic imaging. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 6, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Lai CJ, Shaw CC, Chen L, Liu X, Han T, Wang T. Dose saving and scatter reduction in Volume-of-Interest (VOI) cone beam CT- work in progress. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:33, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Han T, Shaw CC, Chen L, Lai, CJ, Liu X, Wang, T. Simulation of Mammograms & Tomosynthesis imaging with Cone Beam Breast CT images. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 10, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Chen L, Shaw CC, Lai CJ, Han T, Liu X, Wang T. Feasibility of dual-resolution cone beam breast CT: a simulation study. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 12, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Lai CJ, Shaw CC, Liu X, Chen L, Han T, Wang T. Comparison of the performances between anti-scatter grid and slot scanning technique for digital chest radiography: effect of anatomical background. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 33, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Chen L, Shaw CC, Altunbas MC, Lai CJ, Ding X, Liu X. Dose saving and scatter reduction in dual-resolution cone beam CT breast imaging: a Monte Carlo simulation study. RSNA 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Program 451, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Liu X, Shaw CC, Wang T, Chen L, Altunbas M, and Kappadath SC. A Point-by-point Scatter Correction Technique for Cone Beam Breast CT Using the Scanning Sampled Measurement (SSM) Technique. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:101, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Chen L, Shaw CC, Lai CJ, Altunbas M, Wang T, Tu S, Liu X. Comparison of full-scan and half-scan for cone beam breast CT imaging. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:113, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Meng Y, Shaw CC, Liu X, Altunbas M, Wang T, Chen L, Tu S, Kappadath SC, Lai CJ. Comparison of two detector systems for cone beam CT small animal imaging - a preliminary study. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:110, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Chen, L, Shaw, CC, Tu, S, Altunbas, M, Wang, T, Lai, C-J, Liu X. Cone-beam CT breast imaging with a flat panel detector – a simulation study. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 2005:p.91, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Altunbas, MC, Shaw, CC, Liu X. Scanning Equalization Digital Radiography (SEDR)- effects of exposure equalization on image processing. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 2005:p.96, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Liu X, Shaw, CC, Altunbas, MC, Wang A, T. Scan equalization digital radiography (SEDR) with a flat-panel detector: imaging properties. RSNA 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Program:703, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Liu X, Shaw, CC, Altunbas, MC, Wang, TP. Scan Equalization Digital Radiography (SEDR): Implementation with a Flat-panel Detector. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 2005:p.95, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Kappadath, SC, Shaw, CC, Lai, C-J, Liu X, Whitman, GJ, Yang WT. Dual-Energy Digital Mammography for Calcification Imaging: Improvement with Post-Image Processing. . SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging 2005:p.101-102, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Kappadath, SC, Shaw, C, Lai, CJ, Liu X, Whitman, G. Dual-energy digital mammography for calcification imaging: theory and implementation. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:p.43, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Liu X, Shaw, CC, Balter, P, Kappadath, SC, Lai, C. Contrast-to-noise and Exposure Measurements of an aSi:H/CsI(Tl) Flat-panel Based Digital Radiography System Using a QC Chest Phantom. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:p.39, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Shaw CC, Kappadath C, Liu X, Whitman G. Dual Energy Digital Mammography - Signal to Noise Analysis and Inverse Mapping Techniques. Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program Meeting:P28-19, 2002. e-Pub 2002.
- Liu X, Shaw, C, Rong, J, Lemacks, M. Comparison of a-Si:H/CsI Flat-Panel Digital Imaging Systems with CR and CCD Based Systems- Image Quality Measurements. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:p.40, 2001. e-Pub 2001.
- Rong, J, Shaw, C, Liu X, Lemacks, M, Thompson, S. Comparison of a-Si:H CsI Flat-Panel Digital Imaging Systems with a CCD Based System, CR Systems, and Conventional Screen-Film Systems – A Contrast-Detail Phantom Study. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:p.39, 2001. e-Pub 2001.
- Whitman, G, Stelling, C, Kushwaha, A, Page, D, Liu X, Shaw, CC. Digital Specimen Radiography Following Stereotactic Breast Biopsies. Supplement to the American Journal of Roentgenology. Presented at the 100th Annual Meeting of American Roentgen Ray Society, 2000 Vol. 174(No. 3):p.4, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
- Rong, J, Shaw, C, Liu X, Lemacks, M, Thompson, S. Comparison of an Amorphous Silicon/Cesium Iodide Flat-Panel Digital Chest Radiography System with Screen/Film and Computed Radiography Systems -- A Contrast-Detail Phantom Study. Presented at World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering -- Chicago 2000 CD-ROM Program Book, Paper WE-B307-04, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
- Shaw, CC, Liu X, Lemacks, M, Rong, J, Whitman, G. Optimization of MTF and DQE in Magnification Digital Radiography--a Theoretical Analysis. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:p.36, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
- Liu X, Shaw, CC, Rong, J, Whitman, G. Effects of Pixel/Aperture Sizes on Image Properties in Digital Mammography. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging:p.29-30, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
- Lemacks, M, Liu X, Shaw, CC, Whitman, G, Rong, J. Dual-Energy Digital Mammography with a Full Field Amorphous Silicon/Cesium Iodide Flat-Panel Detector. Presented at World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering -- Chicago 2000 CD-ROM Program Book, Paper TU-E307-06, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
- Chardon, S, Liu X, Shaw, CC. Registration Accuracy in High-resolution Dual-screen Computed Radiography Imaging. Annual Meeting of American Association of Physicists in Medicine,, 1998. e-Pub 1998.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 18, 2025