Xinming Liu, Ph.D., D.A.B.R.
Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
About Dr. 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
Associate Professor, Department of Imaging Physics, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Program Faculty, Medical Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Faculty, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas, 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, CHN, PHD, Biomedical Engineering & Instrumentation |
Postgraduate Training
| 1997-1998 | Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA |
Board Certifications
| 2008 | American Board of Radiology - Diagnostic Radiologic Physics |
Experience & Service
Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Radiation Protocol Review Committee (DI), 2020 - Present
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff, 2017 - Present
Member, Faculty Academic Review Committee, 2015 - 2019
Member, Radiation Safety Committee, 2014 - Present
Consultantships
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group TG326, Alexandria, VA, 2018 - 2021
Member, American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group TG225, Alexandria, VA, 2018 - 2019
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- 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.
- 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. 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. 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 2019. 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.
- Einstein SA, Rong XJ, Jensen CT, Liu X. Quantification and homogenization of image noise between two CT scanner models. J Appl Clin Med Phys 21(1):174-178, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31859454.
- Jensen CT, Wagner-Bartak NA, Vu LN, Liu X, Raval B, Martinez D, Wei W, Cheng Y, Samei E, Gupta S. Detection of Colorectal Hepatic Metastases Is Superior at Standard Radiation Dose CT versus Reduced Dose CT. Radiology 290(2):400-409, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30480489.
- Goodenberger MH, Wagner-Bartak NA, Gupta S, Liu X, Yap RQ, Sun J, Tamm EP, Jensen CT. Computed Tomography Image Quality Evaluation of a New Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm in the Abdomen (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction–V) a Comparison With Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction, Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction, and Filtered Back Projection Reconstructions. J Comput Assist Tomogr 42(2):184-190, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28806318.
- Telesmanich ME, Jensen CT, Enriquez JL, Wagner-Bartak NA, Liu X, Le O, Wei W, Chandler AG, Tamm EP. Third Version of Vendor-Specific Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction (Veo 3.0): Evaluation of CT Image Quality in the Abdomen Using New Noise Reduction Presets and Varied Slice Optimization. Br J Radiol 90(1077):20170188, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28707531.
- Tamm EP, Le O, Liu X, Layman RR, Cody DD, Bhosale PR. "How to" incorporate dual energy imaging into a high volume abdominal imaging practice. Abdom Radiol (NY) 42(3):688-701, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28070657.
- Bache ST, Stauduhar PJ, Liu X, Loyer EM, John RX. Quantitation of clinical feedback on image quality differences between two CT scanner models. J Appl Clin Med Phys 18(2):163-169, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28300384.
- Jensen CT, Telesmanich ME, Wagner-Bartak NA, Liu X, Rong J, Szklaruk J, Qayyum A, Wei W, Chandler AG, Tamm EP. Evaluation of abdominal computed tomography image quality using a new version of vendor-specific model-based iterative reconstruction. J Comput Assist Tomogr 41(1):67-74, 2017. PMID: 27529683.
- Li G, Liu X, Dodge C, Jensen C, Rong J. A noise power spectrum study of a new model-based iterative reconstruction system – Veo 3.0. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics 17(5):428-439, 2016. PMID: 27685118.
- Huang JY, Followill DS, Howell RM, Liu X, Mirkovic D, Stingo FC, Kry SF. Approaches to reducing photon dose calculation errors near metal implants. Med Phys 43(9):5117 - 5130, 2016. PMID: 27587042.
- Dodge CT, Tamm EP, Cody DD, Liu X, Jensen CT, Wei W, Kundra V, Rong XJ. Performance evaluation of iterative reconstruction algorithms for achieving CT radiation dose reduction - a phantom study. J Appl Clin Med Phys 17(2):511-531, 2016. PMID: 28297397.
- Huang JY, Kerns JR, Nute JL, Liu X, Balter PA, Stingo FC, Followill DS, Mirkovic D, Howell RM, Kry SF. An evaluation of three commercially available metal artifact reduction methods for CT imaging. Phys Med Biol 60(3):1047-1067, 2015. PMID: 25585685.
- Liu X, Lai CJ, Whitman GJ, Geiser WR, Shen Y, Yi Y, Shaw CC. Effects of exposure equalization on image signal-to-noise ratios in digital mammography: A simulation study with an anthropomorphic breast phantom. Med Phys 38(12):6489-6501, 2011. PMID: 22149832.
- Shen Y, Yi Y, Zhong Y, Lai CJ, Liu X, You Z, Ge S, Wang T, Shaw CC. High resolution dual detector volume-of-interest cone beam breast CT - demonstration with a bench top system. Med Phys 38(12):6429-6442, 2011. PMID: 22149826.
- Yi Y, Lai CJ, Han T, Zhong Y, Shen Y, Liu X, Ge S, You Z, Wang T, Shaw CC. Radiation doses in cone-beam breast computed tomography: A Monte Carlo simulation study. Med Phys 38(2):589-97, 2011. PMID: 21452696.
- Liu X, Shaw CC, Lai CJ, Wang T. Comparison of scatter rejection and low contrast performance of scan equalization digital radiography (SEDR), slot-scan digital radiography and full-field digital radiography systems for chest phantom imaging. Med Phys 38(1):23-33, 2011. PMID: 21361171.
- Lai CJ, Chen L, Zhang H, Liu X, Zhong Y, Shen Y, Han T, Ge S, Yi Y, Wang T, Yang WT, Whitman GJ, Shaw CC. Reduction in x-ray scatter and radiation dose for volume-of-interest (VOI) cone beam breast CT: a phantom study. Phys Med Biol 54(21):6691-6709, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19841514.
- Liu X, Lai CJ, Chen L, Han T, Zhong Y, Shen Y, Wang T, Shaw CC. Scan equalization digital radiography (SEDR) implemented with an amorphous selenium flat-panel detector: initial experience. Phys Med Biol 54(22):6959-6978, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19887717.
- Chen L, Shen Y, Lai CJ, Han T, Zhong Y, Ge S, Liu X, Wang T, Yang WT, Whitman GJ, Shaw CC. Dual resolution cone beam breast CT: a feasibility study. Med Phys 36(9):4007-14, 2009. PMID: 19810473.
- Chen L, Shaw CC, Altunbas M, Lai C, Liu X, Han T, Wang T, Whitman G. Feasibility of Volume-of-interest (VOI) scanning technique in cone beam breast CT - a preliminary study. Med Phys 35(8):3482-3490, 2008. PMID: 18777908.
- Liu X, Shaw CC, Lai C, Altunbas M, Chen L, Han T, Wang T. Scatter rejection and low-contrast performance of a slot-scan digital chest radiography system with electronic aft-collimation: A chest phantom study. Med Phys 35(6):2391-2402, 2008. PMID: 18649472.
- Chen L, Shaw CC, Altunbas M, Lai C, and Liu X. Spatial resolution properties in cone beam CT: A simulation study. Med Phys 35(2):724-734, 2008. PMID: 18383694.
- Liu X, Shaw CC. Rejection and redistribution of scattered radiation in Scan Equalization Digital Radiography (SEDR): simulation with spot images. Med Phys 34(7):2718-2729, 2007. PMID: 17821980.
- Altunbas MC, Shaw CC, Chen L, Lai C,Liu X, Han T, Wang T. A post-reconstruction method to correct cupping artifacts in cone beam breast computed tomography. Med Phys 34(7):3109-3118, 2007. PMID: 17822018.
- Lai CJ, Shaw CC, Chen L, Altunbas MC, Liu X, Han T, Wang T, Yang WT, Whitman GJ, Tu SJ. Visibility of microcalcification in cone beam breast CT - Effects of x-ray tube voltage and radiation dose. Med Phys 34(7):2995-3004, 2007. PMID: 17822008.
- Liu X, Shaw CC, Altunbas MC, Wang T. An alternate line erasure and readout (ALER) method for implementing slot-scan imaging technique with a flat-panel detector--initial experiences. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 25(4):496-502, 2006. PMID: 16608064.
- Liu X, Shaw CC. A-Si:H/CsI(Tl) flat-panel versus computed radiography for chest imaging applications: image quality metrics measurement. Med Phys 31(1):98-110, 2004. PMID: 14761026.
- Rong XJ, Shaw CC, Johnston DA, Lemacks MR, Liu X, Whitman GJ, Dryden MJ, Stephens TW, Thompson SK, Krugh KT, Lai CJ. Microcalcification detectability for four mammographic detectors: flat-panel, CCD, CR, and screen/film). Med Physics 29(9):2052-61, 2002. PMID: 12349926.
- Lemacks MR, Kappadath SC, Shaw CC, Liu X, Whitman GJ. A dual-energy subtraction technique for microcalcification imaging in digital mammography--a signal-to-noise analysis. Med Physics 29(8):1739-51, 2002. PMID: 12201421.
- Rong XJ, Shaw CC, Liu X, Lemacks MR, Thompson SK. 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. Medical Physics 28(11):2328-35, 2001. PMID: 11764040.
- Liu X, Shaw C. Regional Improvement of Signal-to-Noise and Contrast-to-Noise Ratios in Dual-Screen CR Chest Imaging - A Phantom Study. Medical Physics 28(6):1080-1092, 2001. PMID: 11439477.
- 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. PMID: 32700213.
Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
- Busse N, Liu X, Rong J, Gauntt D M. RSNA/AAPM Radiology Physics Educational Modules. RSNA/AAPM, 2015.
Book Chapters
- Whitman G, Lai C, Liu X, Itani M, Khisty R, Shaw C. Breast computed tomography. In: Digital Mammography: A Practical Approach. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, United Kingdom, 192, 2013.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Asymmetric Dual-Screen CR Chest Imaging |
| Funding Source: | National Cancer Institute |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| 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-Investigator |
| Title: | aSi/CsI FP Digital Chest Imaging with Scatter Rejection and Exposure Equalization |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIBIB |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Optimized Digital Mammography with an a-Se FP Imager |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Dual Resolution Cone Beam CT System for 3-D Breast Imaging |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | DTS Imaging with a Digitally Addressable X-Ray Source (DAXS) |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluation of the benefit/risk ratios and optimization of mammography screening guidelines that account for the enhanced carcinogenic effectiveness of low energy x-rays |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluation of benefit/risk ratios and optimization of mammography screening that account for enhanced carcinogenic effectiveness of low energy x-rays |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |