Longtime Vanderbilt faculty member Julian Gibbs, Professor of Radiology and Radiological
Sciences, Emeritus, died October 25, 2012, at the age of 80. A native of northwest
Alabama, Julian studied sciences at the University of Alabama and received his DDS
from Emory University in 1956. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and practicing
dentistry in Vernon, Alabama, near his family home, he developed an interest in the
intersection of radiation biology and dentistry. He received his PhD from the University
of Rochester, New York, in the field of radiation biology and biophysics in 1969 and
joined the Vanderbilt faculty in 1970. Dr. Gibbs' early research centered on radiation
effects on cell-cycle kinetics and later on risk assessment associated with medical
and dental radiography. He was a pioneer in applying computational techniques to studies
of radiation dose distribution to critical organs. More recently, Dr. Gibbs focused
on research involving magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint and
localized spectroscopy. He was a diplomate and former president of the American Board
of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, a fellow and former president of the American
Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, and a member of the National Council
on Radiation Protection (NCRP) and Measurements Committee. In this latter capacity
he was the cochair for the NCRP report on radiation protection in dentistry and a
committee member on the NCRP report on implementation of the principle of as low as
reasonably achievable for medical and dental personnel. During his career, Dr. Gibbs
authored or coauthored more than 150 articles, chapters, and presentations, including
the Radiology Centennial Oration at the 1995 Academy meeting in Chicago. Among his
many interests, Dr. Gibbs was a passionate supporter of the Boy Scouts of America
for over 40 years. He was also especially fond of bow ties, everything associated
with Vanderbilt, and choral music and enjoyed participating in the choir of Belle
Meade United Methodist Church, where he was a member for 42 years. He is survived
by Emily, his wife of 54 years, 3 children, and 6 grandchildren.
