Academic Appointments
Professor (2025–present), Associate Professor (2020–2024), Assistant Professor (2014–2020)
at California State University, Fresno; previously Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer
at Mount Allison University.
Resarch
Research focuses on medical physics, x-ray fluorescence (XRF), synchrotron radiation,
biomedical imaging, radiation measurements, and trace-element analysis. Record includes
32 peer-reviewed publications, 86 conference presentations, h-index of 11, and extensive
peer-review service.
Funding & Recognition
Principal Investigator of an NIH NIGMS SCORE SC2 award ($420,000). Recipient of multiple
faculty research/professional development awards and international Outstanding Reviewer
Awards. Mentored numerous student award recipients.
Teaching & Mentorship
Developed and taught undergraduate and graduate physics and biomedical physics courses
including radiation physics, MRI, optics, nuclear medicine, and mathematical physics.
Supervised more than 20 undergraduate and graduate research students.
Professional Service
Chair line of the APS Far West Section (2025–2029). Active member of APS and former
member of AAPM and HPS. Reviewer for leading journals, grant agencies, scientific
meetings, and science fairs.
Selected Impact
Established an active biomedical physics research program at Fresno State, advancing
quantitative XRF methods and mentoring student researchers while contributing broadly
to medical physics education and professional service.
I am interested in medical and biological applications of x-ray fluorescence (XRF).
XRF is a non-invasive analytical method capable of detecting chemical elements in
bulk or trace concentrations (parts per million level). Following x-ray irradiation
in vivo measurements of certain elements in the human body are possible with minimal
radiation dose. For the past three decades the most important medical XRF application
was the in vivo measurement of lead (Pb) in the tibia bone. XRF investigations of
the distribution, accumulation mechanisms, and metabolic role of other elements such
as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), or strontium (Sr) in healthy
and pathological human tissues were also pursued by various research groups. I am
particularly interested in the research and development of novel in vitro and in vivo
XRF measurement techniques using modern x-ray optics instrumentation and techniques.
The microbeam XRF laboratory I built features an integrated x-ray tube and polycapillary
x- ray lens capable of producing an x-ray beam with a focal spot of 15 μm. This XRF
system is suitable for in vitro XRF microscopy studies and the research of novel medical
applications in this field.
