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Gia Jadick

PhD Candidate @ UChicago

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About Me

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Hello! I'm Gia Jadick. I am a medical physics PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, advised by Patrick La Rivière, where I develop computational methods for advanced X-ray and CT imaging.

My dissertation research unites traditional spectralimaging with propagation-basedphasecontrast through the lens of material decomposition. I study how and when conventional approximations in phase-contrast imaging break down, and I develop computational strategies for incorporating more general image acquisition models to improve basis material image reconstruction.

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I am broadly interested in spectral photon-counting CT, phase contrast, inverse problems, and computational imaging. I have a strong technical foundation, building large-scale Python simulation and reconstruction tools that are efficiently GPU-parallelized with automatic differentiation compatibility. My recent work spans applications to high-resolution phase-contrast micro-CT of zebrafish, spectral photon-counting mammography for microcalcification morphology classification, multi-material decomposition for cardiac CT, and MV-kV dual-energy CT for radiotherapy imaging.

I graduated cum laude from Duke University in 2020 with a BS in physics and BA in political science. There, I researched scanner-specific CT simulation, mechanosensing of E. coli bacteria, and vintage saxophone mouthpiece acoustics.

My research code and related projects are publicly available on GitHub, with selected repositories linked below. My PhD studies are funded by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program with additional support from the AAPM/RSNA Graduate Fellowship. I am defending my dissertation in June 2026.

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Research Projects

Multi-slice phase-contrast CT

High-resolution phase-contrast micro-CT simulation

I developed a GPU-accelerated simulation framework for propagation-based phase-contrast synchrotron micro-CT, comparing the projection approximation with an auto-differentiable multi-slice forward model for more accurately including refractive effects within samples. Subsequent reconstructions were compared with our iterative method versus filtered-back projection and conventional phase retrieval. Manuscript in progress.

Spectral phase retrieval

Spectral X-ray phase-contrast material decomposition

I expanded the multi-slice forward model to include a full polychromatic source spectrum and non-ideal energy-dependent system effects, developing a full spectral material decomposition method for X-ray phase-contrast imaging with energy-discrimating photon-counting detection. This was applied to a sensitivity analysis of model-based iterative material-decomposition phase-retrieval methods, quantifying the degree of improvement as more forward model elements were incorporated. Manuscript in progress.

Propagation-based phase-contrast CRLB

X-ray phase-contrast imaging simulation

I developed a basis material Cramér–Rao lower bound (CRLB) framework for spectral propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging, building various toy models to include the information of typical edge-enhancement effects. These models were applied to energy threshold optimization of polychromatic photon-counting detector measurements, including simulation validation with maximum likelihood estimation. Manuscript in progress.

MV-kV dual-energy CT

MV-kV dual-energy imaging on the cover of JMI.

I explored and quantified the potential utility of a novel dual-energy CT approach: combining a megavoltage (MV) and kilovoltage (kV) source in "MV-kV" imaging for use on radiotherapy systems that are conveniently already equipped with the two X-ray sources. Our publication was featured on the cover of the Journal of Medical Imaging.

Photon-counting CT

Comparison of energy-integrating versus photon-counting detectors.

I compared MV-kV dual-energy CT using new photon-counting detectors (PCDs) versus conventional energy-integrating detectors (EIDs), optimizing spectral dose allocation and quantifying contrast-to-noise ratio improvement. Due to the especially severe up-weighting of low-contrast megavoltage X-rays with conventional EIDs, PCDs show particular utility for this application.

Multi-material decomposition

Figure of the multi-material decomposition method.

I performed sensitivity analysis of a dual-energy CT method for material decomposition into more than two materials, with applications to plaque risk analysis in cardiac imaging by differentiating soft tissue, adipose, calcium, and iodine. The method utilizes conventional two-material decomposition and a volume constraint to perform material-triplet decomposition, selecting the three basis materials with a pixel-by-pixel criterion.

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Publications & Presentations

Peer-reviewed articles

  1. E. Abadi, W. P. Segars, N. Felice, S. Sotoudeh-Paima, E. A. Hoffman, X. Wang, W. Wang, D. Clark, S. Ye, G. Jadick, M. Fryling, D. P. Frush, E. Samei. “AAPM Truth-Based CT (TrueCT) reconstruction grand challenge.” Medical Physics, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/mp.17619
  2. G. Jadick, M. Ventura, P. La Rivière. “Utility of photon-counting detectors for MV-kV dual-energy computed tomography imaging.” Journal of Medical Imaging 11(S1): S12811, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMI.11.S1.S12811
  3. H. DeBrosse, G. Jadick, L. J. Meng, P. La Rivière. “Contrast-to-noise ratio comparison between X-ray fluorescence emission tomography and computed tomography.” Journal of Medical Imaging 11(S1): S12808, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMI.11.S1.S12808
  4. G. Jadick, G. Schlafly, P. La Rivière. “Dual-energy computed tomography imaging with megavoltage and kilovoltage X-ray spectra.” Journal of Medical Imaging 11(2): 023501, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JMI.11.2.023501 Featured on journal cover
  5. E. Abadi, G. Jadick, D. A. Lynch, W. P. Segars, E. Samei. “Emphysema quantifications with CT scan: Assessing the effects of acquisition protocols and imaging parameters using virtual imaging trials.” Chest 163(5): 1084–1100, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2022.11.033
  6. G. Jadick, E. Abadi, B. Harrawood, S. Sharma, W. P. Segars, E. Samei. “A scanner-specific framework for simulating CT images with tube current modulation.” Physics in Medicine & Biology 66(18): 185010, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6560/ac2269
  7. D. J. Downs, G. Jadick, F. Swaid, S. B. Ross, A. S. Rosemurgy. “Age and achalasia: how does age affect patient presentation, hospital course, and surgical outcomes?” The American Surgeon 83(9): 952–961, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1177/000313481708300931
  8. A. Rosemurgy, D. Downs, G. Jadick, F. Swaid, K. Luberice, C. Ryan, S. Ross. “Dissatisfaction after laparoscopic Heller myotomy: The truth is easy to swallow.” The American Journal of Surgery, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.03.043

Conference proceedings

  1. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Spectral X-ray phase-contrast imaging of microcalcifications via automatic-differentiation material decomposition.” Medical Imaging 2026: Physics of Medical Imaging 13924: 135–140, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3088061 Finalist, All-Conference Best Student Paper Award; runner-up, Physics of Medical Imaging Student Paper Award
  2. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Basis material Cramér–Rao lower bound: the theoretical utility of propagation-based phase contrast.” Medical Imaging 2026: Physics of Medical Imaging 13924: 114–119, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3087671
  3. E. M. Galeotafiore, G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Breast density quantification with dual-energy X-ray phase-contrast imaging.” Medical Imaging 2026: Physics of Medical Imaging 13924: 778–782, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3087953
  4. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Material decomposition of weakly absorptive structures with spectral X-ray phase-contrast CT.” IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference, and Room Temperature Semiconductor Detector Conference, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1109/NSS/MIC/RTSD57106.2025.11287842
  5. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Optimization-based phase retrieval for material decomposition with multi-energy computed tomography.” 18th International Meeting on Fully 3D Image Reconstruction in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 2025 (May). https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2508.12509
  6. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Accuracy of propagation-based phase-contrast CT under the projection approximation.” 8th International Conference on Image Formation in X-ray Computed Tomography, 2024. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2508.12505
  7. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Modeling propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging: validity of the projection approximation.” Proc. Virtual Imaging Trials in Medicine: 68–72, 2024. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2405.05359
  8. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Cramér–Rao lower bound in the context of spectral X-ray imaging with propagation-based phase contrast.” Medical Imaging 2024: Physics of Medical Imaging 12925, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3006282
  9. G. Jadick, I. Reiser, P. La Rivière. “Sensitivity analysis of dual-energy computed tomography multi-triplet material decomposition.” Medical Imaging 2024: Physics of Medical Imaging 12925, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3006548
  10. H. DeBrosse, G. Jadick, L. Meng, P. La Rivière. “Comparing X-ray fluorescence emission tomography and computed tomography: contrast-to-noise ratios in a numerical mouse phantom.” Medical Imaging 2024: Clinical and Biomedical Imaging 12930, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3006795
  11. M. Ventura, G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Comparison of energy-integrating detectors and photon-counting detectors for MV-kV dual-energy imaging on a tomographic therapy system.” Medical Imaging 2024: Physics of Medical Imaging 12925, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3006854
  12. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Optimization of MV-kV dual-energy CT imaging for tomographic therapy.” Medical Imaging 2023: Physics of Medical Imaging 12463: 557–566, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2653674
  13. S. S. Shankar, G. Jadick, E. A. Hoffman, J. Atha, J. C. Sieren, E. Samei, E. Abadi. “Scanner-specific validation of a CT simulator using a COPD-emulated anthropomorphic phantom.” Medical Imaging 2022: Physics of Medical Imaging 12031: 953–960, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2613212
  14. F. Ria, G. Jadick, E. Abadi, J. B. Solomon, E. Samei. “Comparing two different noise magnitude estimation methods in CT using virtual imaging trials.” Medical Imaging 2022: Physics of Medical Imaging 12031: 729–734, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2612219
  15. E. Abadi, G. Jadick, C. McCabe, S. Sotoudeh, M. Fryling, B. Harrawood, E. Samei, S. Havadej, M. Sedlmair, J. Ramirez, K. Stierstorfer. “Development and application of a virtual imaging trial platform to evaluate and optimize state-of-the-art photon-counting CT.” Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting, 2021.
  16. G. Jadick, E. Abadi, B. Harrawood, S. Sharma, W. P. Segars, E. Samei. “A framework to simulate CT images with tube current modulation.” Medical Imaging 2021: Physics of Medical Imaging 11595: 22–30, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2580983
  17. E. Abadi, G. Jadick, E. A. Hoffman, D. Lynch, W. P. Segars, E. Samei. “COPD quantifications via CT imaging: ascertaining the effects of acquisition protocol using virtual imaging trial.” Medical Imaging 2021: Physics of Medical Imaging 11595: 160–166, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2581965

Oral presentations

  1. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Spectral X-ray phase-contrast imaging of microcalcifications via automatic-differentiation material decomposition.” Medical Imaging 2026: Physics of Medical Imaging, 2026. doi:10.1117/12.3088061 Finalist, All-Conference Best Student Paper Award; runner-up, Physics of Medical Imaging Student Paper Award
  2. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Basis material Cramér–Rao lower bound: the theoretical utility of propagation-based phase contrast.” Medical Imaging 2026: Physics of Medical Imaging, 2026. doi:10.1117/12.3087671
  3. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Material decomposition of weakly absorptive structures with spectral X-ray phase-contrast CT.” IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference, and Room Temperature Semiconductor Detector Conference , 2025 (November). doi:10.1109/NSS/MIC/RTSD57106.2025.11287842
  4. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “A tale of two techniques: multi-energy versus multi-distance material decomposition with X-ray phase-contrast imaging.” AAPM Midwest Chapter Meeting, 2025 (April). 2nd place, Young Investigator Symposium
  5. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Modeling propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging: validity of the projection approximation.” Virtual Imaging Trials in Medicine, 2024. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2405.05359
  6. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Cramér–Rao lower bound in the context of spectral X-ray imaging with propagation-based phase contrast.” SPIE Medical Imaging, 2024. doi:10.1117/12.3006282
  7. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Dual-energy CT imaging with a megavoltage spectrum.” AAPM Midwest Chapter Meeting, 2023 (April). 2nd place, Young Investigator Symposium
  8. G. Jadick, E. Abadi, B. Harrawood, S. Sharma, W. P. Segars, E. Samei. “A framework to simulate CT images with tube current modulation.” SPIE Medical Imaging, 2021. doi:10.1117/12.2580983

Posters

  1. E. M. Galeotafiore, G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Breast density quantification with dual-energy X-ray phase-contrast imaging.” Medical Imaging 2026: Physics of Medical Imaging, 2026. doi:10.1117/12.3087953
  2. G. Jadick, C. Riggs, P. La Rivière. “Quantitative forward modeling of propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging at clinical scale.” AAPM Annual Meeting, 2025 (July). link Blue ribbon poster award
  3. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Material decomposition with propagation-based X-ray phase contrast: a comparison of multi-energy and multi-distance imaging.” AAPM Annual Meeting, 2025 (July). link
  4. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Optimization-based phase retrieval for material decomposition with multi-energy computed tomography.” 18th International Meeting on Fully 3D Image Reconstruction in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 2025 (May). doi:10.48550/arXiv.2508.12509
  5. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Accuracy of propagation-based phase-contrast CT under the projection approximation.” 8th International Conference on Image Formation in X-ray Computed Tomography, 2024. doi:10.48550/arXiv.2508.12505
  6. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “An estimation theory approach to assessing spectral X-ray phase-contrast imaging.” Gordon Research Conference on Image Science, 2024 (June).
  7. G. Jadick, I. Reiser, P. La Rivière. “Sensitivity analysis of dual-energy CT multi-triplet material decomposition.” SPIE Medical Imaging, 2024. doi:10.1117/12.3006548
  8. G. Jadick, P. La Rivière. “Optimization of MV-kV dual-energy CT imaging for tomographic therapy.” SPIE Medical Imaging, 2023. doi:10.1117/12.2653674
  9. G. Jadick, M. Bartlett, M. Busch, J. Socolar. “The art and craft of saxophone mouthpiece design.” Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Virtual Showcase, 2020 (May). Runner-up poster award
  10. G. Jadick, R. Garces, C. Schmidt. “Physiology of E. coli bacteria in high external osmotic pressure.” Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at the University of Maryland, 2020 (January).
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Get in Touch

Contact Me

giavanna [at] uchicago [dot] edu