Zhen Xu, Ph.D.

Dr. Xu’s research focuses on developing new ultrasound techniques for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. She and her colleagues have invented histotripsy, a mechanical ultrasound ablation technique via controlled cavitation. Histotripsy is the first non-invasive, non-ionizing, and non-thermal ablation technique. Dr. Xu’s work spans from basic science, device development, and preclinical investigations, to clinical translation of histotripsy. Her work has led to multiple clinical trials on histotripsy treatment of malignant and benign tumors and the FDA approval of histotripsy treatment of liver tumors.

Research Areas:

Biomedical Imaging, Biomedical Ultrasonics and Image-Guided Therapy, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Immunology, Neurological Disorders, Skeletal Orthopaedics