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Zhongxing Liao, M.D., Professor, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
After completion residency training in 1999, I joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Section of Thoracic Radiation Oncology in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Since then, I have focused my career in patient care, translational research, education, and administrative leadership. In 2002, I was appointed Clinical Chief of the Section of Thoracic Radiation Oncology. In September 2004, I was promoted to Associate Professor (NTCA) of Radiation Oncology. In January 2007, I was appointed Center Medical Director, Department of Radiation Oncology, in the Division of Radiation Oncology. Through my efforts in clinical care, research and leadership I have contributed to our institutional mission and been able to positively impact the care of patients with lung cancer and patients with esophageal cancer.
My research focus aim is to improve therapeutic ratio of radiation therapy for thoracic malignancies through translational research. More specifically, I seek to improve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of chemoradiation therapy for lung and esophageal cancers by using molecular targeting strategies; by using advanced radiation delivery technologies; by generating and using models for predicting risks of normal tissue toxicity; by reducing that toxicity with adaptive modification of radiation parameters based on biomarkers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, by reducing the symptom burden and improving patients quality of life using integrative medicine, and ultimately, by developing strategies to practice highly personalized treatments.