Professor Christian Langton

Professor Langton developed the technique of broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) for the assessment of osteoporosis, and was awarded a DSc in 2007 for his extensive research contributions to the science, technology and clinical utility. He has over 1800 publication citations with a current h-index of 21. BUA was recognised in 2006 (EurekaUK) by Universities UK as one of the top “100 discoveries and developments in UK Universities that have changed the world” over the past 50 years, covering the whole spectrum from the arts and humanities to science and technology. In 2008, the UK’s Department of Health also recognised Professor Langton’s contributions in a publication highlighting eleven projects that have contributed to ‘60 years of NHS research benefiting patients’.

He holds a number of Professional Fellowships including Institute of Physics, Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Australian Institute of Physics, and Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine, and has been made an Affiliate of the Royal College of Physicians. He leads the Q-BIC (Quantitative Biomedical Imaging & Characterisation) research group. Current research projects include development of an ultrasound intra-fraction IGRT system, finite element analysis of X-ray images (FEXI), and quantification of bone marrow composition by both magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. A rapidly developing theme is the ‘Osteoporosis-Cancer Interface’. He was appointed Professor of Medical Physics at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane in February 2008. He also serves as Director of the Queensland Cancer Physics Collaborative ( www.qld-cpc.org.au ), which has already secured over $2 million of financial support. Of particular mention is the unique development of radiation therapy immersive simulators for both healthcare professional training and patient awareness.