Michigan Translational Imaging Program (M-TIP)

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Michigan T32 Translational Imaging Program (M-TIP) will comprise an innovative mixed MD and PhD postdoctoral research training program led by the Department of Radiology, in conjunction with multiple clinical, engineering and science departments (including Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery, Psychiatry, Radiation Oncology, and Urology), at the University of Michigan (UM). The Program goal is to produce collaborative and broadly educated clinical and basic science leaders in translational medical imaging, supported by an outstanding multidisciplinary community of mentors, leveraging our extensive NIH-funded research in imaging and excellence in education. It is widely acknowledged that diagnostic imaging and imaging-based treatments have transformed medicine. However, medical imaging is complex, requiring knowledge from a variety of scientific and clinical disciplines. The growing barriers to truly integrated collaboration among basic science and clinical imagers include subspecialized knowledge bases, physical separation of researchers, differing scientific terminology, clinical financial pressures, and complex regulatory pathways. The disconnect among basic and clinical imaging scientists precludes clinical translation and eventual utilization of many technology developments. The Department of Radiology and our partners at UM are uniquely positioned to address these challenges by training a new generation of passionate translational imaging scientists, mentored by our team of basic and clinical researchers whose laboratories touch upon every facet of translational medical imaging. The structure and activities of M-TIP will be driven by the following Aims: 1. Foster the development and translation of innovative imaging technologies by enabling seamless collaboration between basic and clinical imaging scientists to enhance research training; 2. Create an enriched learning community of experienced imaging mentors and passionate trainees, where organized didactic and discussion-based learning is used to impart all facets of imaging technology translation; and 3. Guide mentees to become capable future mentors and leaders in high impact imaging technology development and translation, both in industry and academia. M-TIP’s Program Directors (Nicole Seiberlich, PhD; Vikas Gulani, MD, PhD; and Peter Scott, PhD) have laboratories examining various aspects of MRI and nuclear medicine imaging. Our M-TIP faculty mentor roster is comprised of PhD and MD imaging scientists with experience across the spectrum of medical imaging, from technology development to clinical application. We will recruit basic science postdoctoral (PhD) fellows and clinical residents and fellows (MD) as M-TIP trainees, with dual mentoring from paired teams of MD and PhD faculty. By providing trainees with technical expertise, as well as communication, collaboration, research ethics, and leadership skills, this multi-disciplinary program will prepare researchers for exceptional careers, with the goal of developing and deploying useful imaging techniques to advance patient health and outcomes.