Medical Physics Division Labs

The Ren Lab

This innovative laboratory, under the direction of Lei Ren, PhD, director of medical physics research, is focused on image-guided radiation therapy and development and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiation oncology. The team’s goal is to develop novel imaging and therapy technologies to improve the precision and outcome of radiation treatments with high efficiency and minimal imaging dose. Areas of research include:

• Developing deep learning techniques for deformable image registration, image synthesis, image reconstruction, image augmentation, 4D imaging, radiomics, clinical decision making, and outcomes prediction
• Exploring deep learning and biomechanical modeling techniques to generate on-board hybrid virtual MRI/cone-beam CT images to enhance soft tissue contrast for target localization in liver radiotherapy
• Creating new AI technologies for synthesizing highly realistic eXtended Modular ANthropomorphic (XMAN) phantoms for motion management and virtual clinical trials in radiation therapy
• Developing new techniques for proton dose verification, inc. prompt gamma imaging and proton acoustic imaging

Dr. Ren has held multiple NIH R01 awards. In 2022, he was awarded an R01 for almost $3 million to advance the XMAN technology and its applications in virtual clinical trials. In 2023, he was awarded another R01 for almost $3 million to develop prompt gamma imaging for proton dose verification.

Lei Ren, PhD
Professor
Director of Medical Physics Research
Department of Radiation Oncology