David J. Brenner, Ph.D.
Higgins Professor of Radiation Biophysics
Director, Center for Radiological Research
Director, Radiological Research Accelerator Facility
Professor of Environmental Health Sciences
Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Radiological Research
Dept. Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health
Center for Radiological Research
630 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
Telephone: (212) 305-3660
Fax: 212 305-3229
Email: djb3@columbia.edu
Website: www.columbia.edu/~djb3
Education
BA, Physics Philosophy, Oxford University, Oxford, U.K., 1974
MSc, Radiation Physics, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, University of London, London, U.K., 1976
MA, Physics Philosophy, Oxford University, Oxford, U.K., 1979
PhD, Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, U.K., 1980
Research
Dr. Brenner focuses on developing mechanistic models for the effects of ionizing radiation on living systems, both at the chromosomal and the animal (or human) levels. He divides his research time roughly equally between the effects of high doses of ionizing radiation (relating to radiation therapy) and the effects of low doses of radiation (relating to medical, environmental and occupational exposures).
At the chromosomal level, he has focused on the mechanisms of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations, and the potential of chromosome aberrations for use as biomarkers for past exposure to different types of radiations.
In the field of medical imaging, he has focused on the risk / benefit balance of the higher-dose imaging techniques, particularly computed tomography (CT).
In the field of radiotherapy, he has focused on optimizing fractionation schemes for different tumor types, to maximize tumor killing and minimize serious side effects; this includes modeling the mechanisms of radiotherapy-induced second cancers, with the goal of reducing second cancer risks.
Environmentally, he has focused on the biological effects of radon, both at the chromosomal and the human levels.
Selected Activities
Member of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP)
Publications
Einstein AJ, Elliston CD, Groves DW, Cheng B, Wolff SD, Pearson GD, Robert Peters M, Johnson LL, Bokhari S, Johnson GW, Bhatia K, Pozniakoff T, Brenner DJ. Effect of biosmuch breast shielding on radiation dose and image quality in coronary CT angiography. J Nucl Cardiol 19, 100-108, 2012.
Shuryak, I, Brenner, DJ, Ullrich, RL. Radiation-Induced Carcinogenesis: Mechanistically Based Differences between Gamma-Rays and Neutrons, and Interactions with DMBA. PlosOne 6, e28559, 2011.
Brenner, DJ, Shuryak, I, Einstein, AJ. Impact of Reduced Patient Life Expectancy on Potential Cancer Risks from Radiologic Imaging. Radiology 26, 193-198, 2011.
Harken AD, Randers-Pehrson G, Johnson GW, Brenner DJ. The Columbia University proton-induced soft x-ray microbeam. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res B 269, 1992-1996, 2011.
Garty G, Karam A, Brenner DJ. Infrastructure to support ultra high throughput biodosimetry screening after a radiological event. Int J Radiat Biol 87, 754-765, 2011.
Garty G, Chen Y, Turner HC, Zhang J, Lyulko OV, Bertucci A, Xu Y, Wang H, Simaan N, Randers-Pehrson G, Lawrence Yao Y, Brenner DJ. The RABiT: A Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool for radiological triage. II. Technological developments. Int J Radiat Biol 87, 776-790, 2011.
Brenner DJ, Shuryak I, Einstein AJ. Impact of Reduced Patient Life Expectancy on Potential Cancer Risks from Radiologic Imaging. Radiology 261, 193-198, 2011.
Barcellos-Hoff MH, Brenner DJ, Brooks AL, Formenti S, Hlatky L, Locke PA, Shore R, Tenforde T, Travis EL and Williams J. Low-dose radiation knowledge worth the cost. Science 332, 305-306, 2011.
Brenner DJ. We don't know enough about low-dose radiation risk. Nature News: 5 April 2011.
Brenner DJ. Are x-ray backscatter scanners safe for airport passenger screening? For most individuals, probably yes, but a billion scans per year raises long-term public health concerns. Radiology 259, 6-10, 2011.
Honors and Awards
DSc, Honorary Degree, Oxford University, 1996
Failla Award, Radiation Research Society, 2011
