RESEARCH:

The Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences provides an extremely fertile environment for basic science and clinical research. Three separate entities support the research enterprise within the department, The Section of Radiological Sciences, The Center for Molecular Imaging, and The Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science.

SECTION OF RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCES:

The Section of Radiological Sciences consists of a group of basic scientists under the direction of Dr. Ron Price who provide the quality assurance basis for the high-technology medical imaging modalities within the department. In addition to quality assurance support, this group of physicists, biomedical engineers, radiobiologists, and chemists contribute to basic research and teach the principles of medical imaging to residents, medical students, graduate students, and students in the allied health professions.

Funded Research Projects Include:

• Development of Methods for Quantitative Cancer Imaging (NIH)
• Phase-Contrast X-ray Imaging (NIH)
• Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Epilepsy (Epilepsy Foundation)
• Quantitation of Tumor Blood Flow with Microbubble Ultrasound Contrast Agents (AIUM)

Research Projects in Progress:

• Radiation Dose Optimization in Pediatric Patients
• Tissue Specific Imaging Using Low-Angle Coherent Scattered X-rays
• Dual-Energy X-Ray Absortiometry for Small-Animal Body Composition Assessment
• Tumor Microvasculature Assessment using Intravascular MRI Contrast Agents (ultra-small iron oxide particles)
• MRI Dosimetry for Acute Radiation Exposure

Educational Programs:

In addition to the ongoing research projects, the Division of Radiological Sciences offers a variety of educational programs for instruction and training in medical imaging.

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Imaging Research:

Eligibility: Recent Ph.D. or M.D. with interest in advanced research training in the development and use of new imaging techniques and modalities in cancer research. A background in imaging or cancer biology is required. Candidates must be citizens or non-citizen nationals who have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Individuals on temporary visas are not eligible.

Description: The training program is jointly sponsored by Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Active areas of research include both small animal and human imaging projects. Multiple mouse models of human cancer are under investigation with SPECT, PET, x-ray computed tomography, power Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Small animal research facilities include µ PET, µ CT, µ MRI (4.7T, 7T and 9.4T). Human facilities include dedicated 3T MRI and CT scanners and shared clinical MRI (4), CT (5), PET/CT and an 11 MeV negative-ion cyclotron for radioisotope production. Human investigations include molecular and gene-expression imaging and quantifications of tumor growth, metabolism and therapy response and the development of cancer-specific imaging probes for both PET and MRI. Fellowship duration will normally be 2 years depending upon experience. Fellows will be mentored in both imaging and cancer biology disciplines. Supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Health (5 R25 CA92043).

Master of Science in Medical Physics:

Eligibility:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Physical Science, or Engineering (with the equivalent of a minor in physics) from an accredited college or university.
• Students from non-English speaking countries are required to demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting results of both the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Spoken English (TSE) exams. The minimal acceptable score on the TOEFL exam is 600 and on the TSE exam is 300.

Description:

The MS Medical Physics Program is divided into two disciplines of medical physics: imaging and radiotherapy physics. The two divisions are similar in that each has thesis and a non-thesis option and both require 32 semester credit hours of didactic classroom and laboratory instruction and 6 semester professional credit hours of practicum (clinic rotations). The two divisions differ in that the clinical rotations are specific to the areas of clinical diagnostic and nuclear medicine imaging for the medical physics imaging discipline, and radiotherapy treatment planning and associated techniques for the radiotherapy physics discipline.

Radiological Sciences Lecture Series for Resident Physicians:

The series is designed for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Residents and is open to Cardiology Fellows and others interested in the physics of medical imaging. The series begins the first week of July of each year. The series consists of forty-five lectures that are given daily at 7am in Room CCC-1111 Medical Center North. The current syllabus can be obtained from the link: Radiological Sciences Lecture Series.

CENTER FOR MOLECULAR IMAGING:

The newest addition to the departmental research enterprise is the establishment of the Center for Molecular Imaging under the direction of Dr. Robert Kessler. The primary goal of this center is the development of new imaging radiopharmaceuticals for cancer imaging and the study of neurotransmitters. Major laboratory renovations in the PET Center, under the direction of Dr. Ron Baldwin, are nearing completion to provide a workplace for projects in this center.

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF IMAGING SCIENCE:

The Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS) under the direction of Dr. John Gore was established in 2002. This is an institutional initiative bringing together a strong faculty of imaging scientists with diverse backgrounds in a comprehensive, integrated program with sophisticated core imaging laboratories dedicated to using imaging to improve health-care and adding knowledge to the biological sciences. A new imaging research building will be competed in 2006 to house this institute and provide state-of-the-art facilities for imaging research at all scales from small animals to human subjects. Detailed information on core facilities, as well as research and educational opportunities can be found at (www.vuiis.vanderbilt.edu).