Image processing, visualization, computer vision and their applications in biomedical image analysis.
In particular, I am interested in shape modeling, deformable models, and statistics, their applications in image segmentation and registration of medical images and use of these computer based techniques in understanding human anatomy, function, and pathology.

The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Maryland 1999--present
Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, expected May 2004.
Dissertation: Deformable Geodesics and Statistical Models: Application in Finding Sulcal Fundi for Registering Human Brain Cortices
Advisers: Dr. Christos Davatzikos and Dr. Jerry L. Prince

The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Maryland 1999--2001
M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Advisers: Dr. Christos Davatzikos and Dr. Jerry L. Prince

University of Delaware, Newark Delaware 1998--1999
Enrolled in graduate program in Department of Electrical Engineering
Adviser: Dr. Dennis W. Prather

The Institute of Acoustics, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing China 1995--1998
M.S. in Information Processing
Thesis: On Directivity of the Acoustic Fields in Deep Sea
Adviser: Prof. Renhe Zhang

University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei China 1990--1995
B.S. in Electronic Engineering and Information Science

Research Assistant 1999--present
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Maryland

My research is mainly on automatically finding curve representation of the cortical sulci for registering human brain cortices using statistical shape model and deformable geodesics. I have developed methods for finding (weighted) geodesic path on surfaces represented by triangular meshes using the fast marching method. My research also included surface registration using the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm.

Research Assistant 1998--1999
University of Delaware, Newark Delaware

My research was on developing and implementing computation algorithms to analyze diffractive optical elements (DOE's) using the nonuniform finite-difference time-domain method.

Research Assistant 1995--1998
Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

My research was on building models of acoustic wave propagation in shallow and deep ocean acoustic channels, and applying the models and signal processing techniques to detect source using vertical receiver arrays.

Undergraduate Research Assistant 1993--1995
University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China

I participated in project on defect detection of industrial parts using industrial CT scanners, and project on stereoscopic 3-D surface reconstruction using images acquired by scanning electron microscopes (SEM's).

Grader. Spring, 2003
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Maryland

Medical Imaging Systems.
Responsibility included preparing homework solutions, making quizzes, and preparing and grading exams.

Teaching Assistant. 1998-1999
University of Delaware, Newark Delaware

Field Theory, Spring, 1999.
Responsibility included grading homework, holding office hours, preparing and grading exams.

Optics and Electromagnetics, Fall, 1998.
Creating and maintaining course web page.

Signal Processing I, Fall, 1998.
Responsibility included grading homework, holding office hours, preparing and grading exams, lab teaching, creating and maintaining course web page.

TA Training Program. July, 1998
University of Delaware, Newark Delaware

Programming Languages C/C++, MATLAB, PERL, OpenGL, OpenDX, FORTRAN, UNIX Shell Scripts, HTML
Operating Systems Unix(IRIX, Solaris), Windows, Linux

Membership
IEEE student member since 2000

Reviewer for
IEEE Transactions on Image Processing
EURASIP Journal on Applied Signal Processing

Journal Publications
1. Christos Davatzikos, Xiaodong Tao and Dinggang Shen, "Hierarchical Active Shape Models: Using the Wavelet Transform", IEEE Trans. Med. Imag., 22(3):414-423, March, 2003

2. Xiaodong Tao, Jerry L. Prince and Christos Davatzikos, "Using a Statistical Shape Model to Extract Sulcal Curves on the Outer Cortex of the Human Brain", IEEE Trans. Med. Imag., 21(5):513-524, May 2002

3. Shouyuan Shi Xiaodong Tao, Liuqing Yang, Dennis W. Prather, "Analysis of diffractive optical elements using a nonuniform finite-difference time-domain method", OPTICAL ENGINEERING, 40(4): 503-510 APR 2001

Conference Publications

1. Xiaodong Tao, Jerry L. Prince and Christos Davatzikos, "An Automated Method for Finding Curves of Sulcal Fundi on Human Cortical Surfaces", accepted for publication in Proc. International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging, 2004

2. Christos Davatzikos, Xiaodong Tao and Dinggang Shen, "Applications of wavelets in morphometric analysis of medical images", Proceedings of SPIE Vol. #5207 Wavelets: Applications in Signal and Image Processing X, San Diego, CA, Aug. 2003

3. Maryam E. Rettmann, Xiaodong Tao and Jerry L. Prince, "Assisted Labeling Techniques for the Human Brain Cortex", Proc. SPIE International Symposium on Medical Imaging, San Diego, CA, Feb. 2002

4. Xiaodong Tao, Xiao Han, Maryam E. Rettmann, Jerry L. Prince and Christos Davatzikos, "Statistical Study on Cortical Sulci of Human Brains", Proc. of Information Processing in Medical Imaging (IPMI), p.p. 475-487, Davis, CA, June 2001

5. Duygu Tosun, Maryam E. Rettmann, Xiaodong Tao, Xiao Han, Chenyang Xu, Jerry L. Prince, "Calculation of human cerebral cortical thickness on opposing sulcal banks", NEUROIMAGE 13 (6): S268-S268 Part 2 Suppl. S JUN 2001