Matthew Willmering, PhD

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.