Zijian Deng

Zijian Deng, Ph.D., is an Instructor in the Department of Radiation Oncology’s Division of Medical Physics & Engineering at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. His research focuses on biomedical optics, with expertise in bioluminescence tomography (BLT) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI). Key contributions include developing BLT-guided systems for pre-clinical radiation research and in vivo cell tracking techniques using optical methods. He collaborates with the Biomedical Imaging and Radiation Technology Lab (BIRTLab) under Ken Kang-Hsin Wang and the Chen Lab under Benjamin Chen, advancing optical tomography for cancer treatment assessment and tumor localization.

Dr. Deng earned his Ph.D. in Natural Science from Peking University, specializing in PAI system development and nanoparticle-based contrast agents. His work bridges imaging technology and clinical applications, particularly in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma models. Publications span optical imaging systems, therapeutic guidance platforms, and nanoparticle-enhanced imaging techniques.

Research interests include:

• Bioluminescence tomography for tumor growth quantification
• Optical methods for in vivo cell tracking
• Pre-clinical radiotherapy guidance systems
• Photoacoustic imaging contrast agents

His innovations support translational research, enabling precise tumor localization and treatment monitoring. Collaborative projects emphasize multi-modal imaging and therapeutic delivery optimizations.