Jason Woods, PhD

Since my arrival at Cincinnati Children’s in 2013, I’ve served as the director of the Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research (CPIR). I also co-lead the Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Center at Cincinnati Children’s, where imaging research has been rapidly translated into clinical care and improved patient outcomes. 

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Chamindu Gunatilaka, PhD 

I am a research fellow in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and CPIR. I received my PhD in physics from the University of Cincinnati in May 2021. My current research investigates breathing energy and drug delivery in neonates using ultrashort echo-time (UTE) MRI and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Besides research, I enjoy photography and playing cricket.

chamindu.gunatilaka@cchmc.org

Nara Higano, PhD

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Xavier Hoyos 

I am a research assistant in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at the CPIR. I received my master's in medical physics from the University of Glasgow in December 2020. I assist in the cardiovascular morphology, phase imaging analysis and image segmentation in neonates with BPD. I also enjoy sports, such as basketball and baseball, music and competitions.

franciscoxavier.hoyoscordon@cchmc.org

Alex Matheson

I am a research fellow in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and CPIR. I received my PhD in medical biophysics from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. My previous work focused on pulmonary gas-exchange and pulmonary vascular measurements in disease, especially long-COVID. My current research involves examining fetal MRI to measure lung development as well as artificial intelligence applications in hyperpolarized gas imaging. Outside of the lab, I am an avid cook and spend weekends going to museums.

alexander.matheson@cchmc.org

Samal Munidasa

I am a research fellow in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and CPIR. I received my PhD in medical biophysics from the University of Toronto and conducted research at the Hospital for Sick Children. My research focuses are the cardio-pulmonary evaluation of neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the implementation on of phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) MRI to evaluate lung functional in pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Aside from research, I enjoy running, going to the gym, and travelling.

samal.munidasa@cchmc.org

David Roach
Research Associate

david.roach@cchmc.org

Megan Schmitt
Research Nurse II

I am a research nurse II in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and CPIR. I received my BS in nursing from the University of Cincinnati in May 1999. I am a licensed RN in the state of Ohio. I completed my masters in public health from Benedictine University in December 2011. Besides patient care and research, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my four children.

megan.schmitt@cchmc.org

Matt Willmering 

I am a research associate in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and CPIR. I also received my PhD in chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis in May 2017. My current research focuses on implementation of MRI acquisitions for cardio-pulmonary structure and function as well as image reconstruction and analysis. Additionally, I am tasked with keeping the MR capabilities of the center up to date through system upgrades for all MR scanners. Besides research, I enjoy video/board games, music/concerts and programming.

matthew.willmering@cchmc.org