Lloyd Lumata

Dr. Lloyd Lumata is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), affiliated with the Systems Neuroscience Program and the Department of Bioengineering. He leads the Lumata Group, which focuses on hyperpolarized magnetic resonance technology for cancer metabolism studies. His roles include committee chair positions at UT Dallas and advisory roles at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.

Education:

• PhD in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University (2008)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biomedical Physics at UT Southwestern Medical Center (2014)
• B.S. in Physics, Western Mindanao State University (2002)

Research Interests: Dr. Lumata develops instrumentation and optimization methods for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) to enhance MRI signals by 10,000-fold. His work applies this technology to non-invasive imaging of cancer metabolism, including studies on glioblastoma, renal cancer, and colorectal cancer. Key projects include hyperpolarized ¹³C and ¹⁵N MRI biosensors, DNP system engineering, and metabolic pathway analysis.

Publications: Recent work focuses on metabolic profiling of cancer cells using NMR, DNP signal optimization, and hyperpolarized MRI applications. Key themes include tumor glucose metabolism, drug efficacy assessment, and novel contrast agents.

Awards:

• Frisco ISD Independent Study and Mentorship (2017)
• FSU Program for Instructional Excellence Award (2007)

Grants & Labs: Secured funding from the US Department of Defense, Welch Foundation, and UTD Collaborative Biomedical Research Award. His lab collaborates with UT Southwestern and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. Research areas include DNP instrumentation, MRI biosensors, and interdisciplinary cancer studies.

Lab Team: Hosts PhD students, postdocs, and undergraduates in physics, bioengineering, and biology, with active projects on cancer metabolism, MRI contrast agents, and DNP system design.