Matthew Willmering, PhD

Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine
Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

matthew.willmering@cchmc.org

About

Biography

I’m a pulmonary/radiology researcher focused on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), image reconstruction, image analysis, cardiopulmonary applications and nuclear spin polarization methods. I aim to develop and implement novel MRI acquisitions, reconstructions and analysis methods to provide sensitive regional biomarkers for clinical research and translation.

My interests in chemistry, physics and computer programming led me to research nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin polarization methods in graduate school. Wanting to work on something more meaningful, I leveraged my previous research skills as a tool to make an impact in the medical field with a focus on MRI.

Some of my accomplishments include playing a pivotal role in successfully obtaining the first clinically ordered, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved hyperpolarized xenon ventilation MRI scan. I am involved in collecting the data as well as assisting, training and working with MRI technologists to ensure we acquire diagnostic images. I developed and implemented an MRI imaging method, Fermat looped, orthogonally encoded trajectories (FLORET), for high-quality structural and functional lung imaging and translated the technology to clinical practice. I also developed and acquired the first gas-exchange imaging in pediatrics and many cardiopulmonary diseases, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD). Through the development of imaging analysis methods, I also improved the sensitivity of hyperpolarized xenon MRI by creating healthy reference values that can account for age, gender, etc.

I’m a member of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS). I am grateful to have received a trainee stipend and magna cum laude merit award from the ISMRM. I have been a researcher for over 12 years and began working at Cincinnati Children’s in 2017.

Services and Specialties

Pulmonology

Interests

Magnetic resonance imaging; hyperpolarized gas; cardiopulmonary; image reconstruction and analysis

Research Areas

Publications

Lung mucus burden and treatment response assessed by MRI in the post-modulator era. Matheson, AM; Prather, E; Willmering, MM; Mata, J; Santyr, G; Ratjen, FA; Kramer, EL; Cleveland, ZI; Woods, JC. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 2026.

Reducing scan time burden for neonatal MRI of pulmonary structure using FLORET UTE. Hahn, AD; Willmering, MM; Higano, NS; Wharff, CJ; Fleck, RJ; Guillerman, RP; Woods, JS; Fain, SB. Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology, and Medicine. 2026.

Comparison of Signal- and Volume-Based Ventilation-Weighted Assessment Using 3D FLORET UTE MRI in Patients With Various Pulmonary Disease. Klimeš, F; Plummer, JW; Voskrebenzev, A; Gutberlet, M; Klein, MM; Willmering, MM; Matheson, AM; Bdaiwi, AS; Wacker, F; Woods, JC; Cleveland, ZI; Walkup, LL; Vogel-Claussen, J. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 2026; 95(5):2814-2827.

D15-04 MRI Measures Elevated Tracheal Volumes in Infants With Moderate to Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Munidasa, SR; Taila, J; Mohanakrishnan, M; Gunatilaka, CC; Bates, A; Higano, NS; Willmering, M; Elias, DB; Fleck, RJ; Ahlfeld, SK; Kingma, PS; Hysinger, E; Woods, JC; Rowe, JA. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2026; 212(Supplement_1):aamag162.1205.

C108-13 Investigating the Physiological Variability in Xe Gas-exchange MRI Metrics Across the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Women. Ismail, BM; Hussain, R; Borden, A; Bdaiwi, AS; Garrison, W; Willmering, M; Cleveland, ZI; Walkup, L. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2026; 212(Supplement_1):aamag162.5468.

A20-08 Characterization of Lung Microstructural Injury in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Using129Xe Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Sheak, J; Willmering, M; Bdaiwi, AS; Papathanasiou, A; Munidasa, SR; Bellew, L; Parikh, N; Critser, PJ; Hysinger, EB; Woods, JC. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2026; 212(Supplement_1):aamag162.1111.

C108-17 Xenon MRI Ventilation Impairment Correlates to Quality of Life at School Age for Very Pre-term Children. Willmering, M; Hussain, R; Bdaiwi, AS; Critser, P; Parikh, N; Woods, JC; Hysinger, E. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2026; 212(Supplement_1):aamag162.1201.

D15-05 Non-Contrast Functional Lung MRI Detects Impaired Ventilation and Perfusion in Preterm Children With and Without Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Munidasa, SR; Bullard Elias, D; Willmering, M; Parikh, N; Critser, P; Hysinger, E; Woods, JC. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2026; 212(Supplement_1):aamag162.1206.

B101-01 Identifying Long-term Cardiopulmonary Phenotypes in Very Preterm Children via Xenon MRI. Willmering, M; Hussain, R; Bdaiwi, AS; Critser, P; Parikh, N; Woods, JC; Hysinger, E. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2026; 212(Supplement_1):aamag162.1171.

B105-22 Novel Application of Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire Distinguished Severity and Pulmonary Function in Premature Lung Disease. Bullard Elias, D; Munidasa, SR; Willmering, M; Parikh, N; Woods, JC; Hysinger, E. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2026; 212(Supplement_1):aamag162.1178.