Chao’s research interests include Monte Carlo simulation and radiation dosimetry. Chao directs the Radiation Therapy Laboratory (RTLab) and Medical Physics Research Center at CGU, including responsibilities in quality assurance (QA) for radiation therapy, small field dosimetry, transmission dosimetry based on electronic portal imaging devices (EPID), microdosimetry, and nanodosimetry.  In addition, RTLab, CGU is the pioneer group in Taiwan to study the dosimetry of proton therapy. 

Small animals are frequently used in molecular imaging studies for the investigation of the dynamic of radiopharmaceuticals and the response of radiation therapy; and the results could be applied to human beings. On the other hand, compared with the invaluable applications in preclinical research using animal CT/PET/MRI, there is still a novel and unexplored research field for animal irradiators.  The disadvantages of not having a precise irradiator for animal studies are clear. In a well-designed animal study using state-of-the-art animal imaging modalities, researchers can examine clear tomographic images in very high resolution to evaluate biological responses accurately and precisely. The dose uncertainty within the small animals, however, is still considerable and the evaluation of dose response (the weakest link) against different radiations could be biased accordingly. Our group in CGU and CGMH proposed a multi-modalities animal RT system (MultiART) which is composed of three different modes including MV photon mode, MeV electron mode, and kV photon mode.  We are developing a platform for flash proton irradiation for cells and animals.  This platform is also equipped with animal CT and proton imaging.

Chao also involved in several other studies, such as in vivo dosimetry, brachytherapy dosimetry, and dual resolution dosimetry.

Medical Physics Research Center, in conjunction with Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, and external experts and scholars, set up a cross-field medical and physical research team to develop and improve the clinical radiation dose assessment, as Linzhuang Chang Geng Hospital proton therapy center basic and clinical application of strong backing shield.

The center of the extension, the appointment of a number of experts and scholars, and the integration of Chang Gung University, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and domestic and foreign experts and scholars, together to form a cross-cutting research team, the primary goal will be developed with intensive clinical radiation dose assessment to support Linkou Chang Geng Hospital proton therapy Central Foundation and Clinical Research. To this end, the Center will build the core laboratory and related cutting-edge core equipment, integration of experimental measurement techniques and theoretical simulation methods, the development of particle beam high-precision giant and microscopic dose assessment technology to calculate the tumor tissue and normal tissue, With the nucleus, DNA molecules and other doses, and will be applied to the beam quality, environmental dose and personnel dose assessment, with a high degree of clinical application and research value.