Walter O’Dell

Walter O’Dell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Florida. His research focuses on developing novel image analysis and computational techniques to improve cancer detection, treatment follow-up, and therapy, particularly in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The O’Dell Lab emphasizes translational research with direct clinical applications in patient care, alongside animal and in-vitro studies to validate findings. Key research areas include 3D tumor detection for lung, brain, and breast cancers; finite element modeling for needle biopsy deformation analysis; and quantitative CT imaging to assess radiation-induced tissue damage. Additionally, the lab explores MRI techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging and spectroscopy for modeling tumor spread in brain cancers, as well as cardiac MRI tagging to study chemotherapy and radiation effects on long-term cancer survivors’ hearts.

His work bridges engineering and medicine, aiming to enhance treatment precision and patient outcomes through advanced imaging technologies. The lab’s efforts include potential applications in drug development for protecting healthy tissues during radiation therapy.