PLEXAR - Key Persons

Steven H. Izen, Ph.D., has been a key contributor for Plexar projects since 1999. He is a Professor of Mathematics at Case Western Reserve University teaching Mathematics of Image Reconstruction and Engineering Mathematics. Steve develops and implements reconstruction algorithms for tomographic imaging and other inverse problems arising in medical and industrial settings. His experience also includes optical modeling. Steve's current interests include sampling issues in three-dimensional tomography, the analysis and development of cone-beam Computed Tomography (CT) reconstruction algorithms, and the automated assessment of image quality including the mathematics and statistics of the model observer methods. Steve has been the Principal Investigator (PI) on two NASA grants, including a feasibility study on applying tomographic reconstruction to optical diagnostics for the calibration of the NASA-Glenn Icing Research Tunnel. In addition, he received an Ameritech Foundation grant and is a co-PI on a Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research grant and an NSF equipment grant. He has 25 peer-reviewed publications and is a co-inventor on several patents. Steve received his Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983.

Thomas L. Toth has extensive experience and expertise in Computed Tomography (CT) physics and image quality. He worked for GE Healthcare as a principal engineer for 22 years, focusing on CT image quality and dose reduction. His 35 year career in diagnostic imaging has provided a solid practical understanding of x-ray physics, system calibration and corrections, CT image processing and image quality analysis. Tom's recent work has been primarily related to dose reduction, CT image quality and measurement methods. His current focus is primarily in managing the difficult tradeoff between x-ray dose and the need for maintaining appropriate diagnostic image quality. Tom has 98 US patents, 20 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and 13 conference presentations. Tom has significant experience participating in task groups with the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA, American Association of Physicists in Medicine(AAPM) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).