Imaging Research Center
Primary investigators in imaging received $1.8 million in new direct and indirect grant funding this year bringing the total of active imaging grants to $25 million. These funds support diverse research efforts including developing novel non-invasive tumor therapies, neuroimaging of behavioral disorders, and the imaging of familial cardiac disease. Additionally, we have proposed projects totaling $10.5 million in grant funding being reviewed for the coming fiscal year, indicating our expected growth and continued recognition of the value of our research activities to pediatric health.
Pediatric Neuroimaging Research Consortium
In 2011, Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus, Ph.D. joined the PNRC as a post-doctoral fellow supported by a Fulbright Scholarship. She completed her PhD at University of Haifa in Israel where she specialized in electrophysiological imaging with EEG as applied to children with developmental reading disorders. With her arrival in the PNRC, we have launched into a new area of research aimed at mapping deficits in the reading circuitry of the developing brain as well as testing interventions for reading disabilities and the influence of these interventions on the reading circuitry. This area of research interacts closely with the Communication Sciences Research Center at CCHMC as well as several clinical divisions at CCHMC and the University of Cincinnati.
Interventional Radiology Animal Research Lab
In May of 2011 we opened a new state-of-the art Interventional Radiology (IR) animal research lab, broadening the imaging capabilities of the Imaging Research Center (IRC). It is the first IR animal research facility of its kind in the world in a pediatric institution, and is intended to be an institution wide, multi-disciplinary resource to develop and improve image guided treatment. Collaborative projects with surgery, cardiology, and nephrology have already been conducted, with more scheduled for the coming year. Additionally, the available resources have attracted interest from commercial research and development teams, bringing the latest innovations to CCHMC patients.
The Imaging Research Center has acquired a pre-clinical High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) unit. This system uses focused sound waves to precisely ablate tissue inside the body, without the need for a scalpel cut or needle puncture. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used during HIFU ablation to monitor temperature changes and to verify tissue targets.
Honors and Awards
Gold Medal, The Society for Pediatric Radiology: Marilyn Goske
Service and Advocacy Award, CCHMC: Alex Towbin
Educational Achievement Award, CCHMC: Carl Merrow
Best Trainee Presentation Award, Australian and New Zealand SPR: Wang LL, Kim HK, Merrow AC, Wong B, Horn P, Laor T. Compounding factors affecting fat and water content of skeletal muscles in healthy children: objective measures using T2 relaxation time mapping (T2 MAP).
Magna Cum Laude, Excellence in Design Award, RSNA: Merrow AC, Zbojniewicz AM, Laor T. Are you pulling my leg? Acute avulsion fractures of the pediatric knee.
Certificate of Merit, RSNA: Kim HK, Serai S, Zbojniewicz AM, Merrow AC, Laor T, Wang LL, Wong B. Advanced MR imaging techniques of skeletal musculature in children.
Certificate of Merit, RSNA: Wang LL, Kim HK, Merrow AC, Wong B, Horn P, Laor T. Compounding factors affecting fat and water content of skeletal muscles in healthy children: objective measures using T2 relaxation time mapping (T2 MAP).
Leveraging / Collaboration Award, FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health: Coreen Bell
Outstanding Clinical Research Professional, CCHMC: Penny New