J. Tyson Mc Donald, PhD
About J. Tyson Mc Donald, PhD
I have extensively studied clinical radiation therapy and experimental radiation biology with leading experts. I completed a rigorous interdisciplinary postdoctoral training program at the Center of Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB). My major body of research focuses on the biological response to ionizing radiation and aims to improve radiation therapy treatment outcomes. I have contributed to radiation biology studies by testing the cancer stem cell hypothesis, studying radiation protectors as well as novel transcriptional response as a function of radiation exposure, age, and race/ethnicity. To conduct these studies, I have used standard and advanced in vitro cell culture models, bioinformatics tools, and molecular biology approaches to provide statistically significant results. At Hampton University, I was appointed an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics as well as Project Lead for the Biomedical Physics program. My current research as principal investigator has been funded a pilot and R15 research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). I have also been awarded two subawards as a co-investigator from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). My unique understanding of radiobiology in cancer and diverse training background in nuclear engineering, biology, bioinformatics, and biomedical physics provide me an excellent background for novel research and pedagogy. Being raised as a Native American member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, I also have a unique personal understanding of minority health concerns and consequences. I look forward to exploring opportunities to advance novel radiation therapy treatment design with pioneering research and innovative research trials to eliminate cancer.