Dr. Minsong Cao is a distinguished leader in medical physics and radiation oncology with extensive expertise in advanced radiotherapy techniques. He currently serves as Professor and Director of Dosimetry in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of California, San Francisco, where he oversees critical aspects of treatment planning and quality assurance. Prior to his position at UCSF, Dr. Cao held significant leadership roles at UCLA, including Vice Chair of Academic Mission Development and Director of the Medical Physics Residency Training Program. With a PhD in Medical Physics, he previously contributed to Indiana University's CAMPEP-accredited medical physics residency program as Associate Program Director, establishing himself as a key figure in medical physics education and clinical implementation of advanced radiotherapy technologies.
Dr. Cao's research has pioneered significant advancements in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and MRI-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT), fundamentally improving the precision and efficacy of cancer treatment delivery. His extensive scholarly contributions include over 140 peer-reviewed journal articles exploring adaptive treatment planning and translational clinical trial development, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the technical foundations of radiation oncology. His work has directly influenced clinical practice by enhancing the integration of real-time imaging with radiation delivery systems, enabling more accurate tumor targeting while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Dr. Cao's expertise in medical physics has established new standards for treatment planning quality and safety, making substantial contributions to the field's evolution toward personalized, image-guided radiation therapy approaches.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Cao has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of medical physicists through his dedicated mentorship and educational leadership. He received the prestigious 2017 Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology Educator of the Year award in recognition of his exceptional teaching and training contributions. As an elected Fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (2019), he serves in multiple capacities within national and international organizations, including editorial roles for major journals in the field. Dr. Cao's global outreach efforts have extended his impact to developing countries including Vietnam, Brazil and China, where he has provided critical training and expertise. His ongoing work continues to push the boundaries of precision radiation therapy, with current research focusing on further integrating advanced imaging technologies to enhance treatment personalization and patient outcomes.
