Aaron Kyle Jones, Ph.D. 2006, University of Florida The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Imaging Physics Contact Information

Research Interests:

• Optimization of diagnostic imaging protocols (especially pediatrics) with regards to absorbed dose and image quality
• Phantom design and construction
• Radiation dosimeter design, construction, and testing
• Image quality assessment
• Image processing
• Computed tomography, computed radiography, digital radiography
  

My research at the University of Florida involved the design and construction of a tomographic newborn phantom from tissue-equivalent materials designed to mimic pediatric soft, bone, and lung tissues. The phantom was constructed using CT images of a newborn cadaver. Average organ and effective doses delivered to the phantom were measured for a variety of projection radiography and computed tomography exams. Both MOSFET dosimeters and prototype fiber optic-coupled (FOC) dosimeters were used for dose assessment. FOC dosimeters are a new type of Cu 1+-doped quartz dosimeter developed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. A system was designed in conjunction with NRL using a CCD to read 25 dosimeters simultaneously, and I wrote LabView software to interface with the dosimetry system. Image quality assessment for CT exams was performed using a commercially available phantom and Matlab code I wrote to automatically score phantom images based on threshold contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) determined via radiologists’ scoring of images. I hope to continue this work at UTMDACC, as well as characterize image quality performance for new photostimulable phosphor plates (computed radiography, CR) and direct-capture (DR) radiography systems.

Depending upon the student's interest, a tutorial in the Imaging Physics department would provide experience with dose and image quality assessment in diagnostic radiology, including the tools and quantities associated with this work. The opportunity to work with multiple imaging modalities exists, including, but not limited to, CR, DR, CT, and fluoroscopy. Other opportunities include the development of dedicated pediatric imaging protocols and image processing protocols.

Selected Publications:

Jones AK, Hintenlang DE, Bolch WE (2003) Tissue-equivalent materials for construction of tomographic dosimetry phantoms in pediatric radiology. Medical Physics 8:2072-81.

Jones AK, Pazik FP, Hintenlang DE, Bolch WE (2005) MOSFET dosimeter depth-dose measurements in heterogeneous tissue-equivalent phantoms at diagnostic x-ray energies. Medical Physics 10:3209-13.

Program Affiliation:

Program in Medical Physics