2024 Radiology Research Day: Pioneering Advances in Medical Imaging at Johns Hopkins

The 8th Annual Radiology Research Day at Johns Hopkins Hospital, held on November 12, 2024, brought together leading experts to showcase groundbreaking advancements in radiology under the theme "At the Cutting Edge." The event highlighted the latest research in imaging technologies, novel therapies, and artificial intelligence, offering a glimpse into the future of medical imaging and diagnostics.

Dr. Zaver Bhujwalla, Vice Chair of Research introduced Dr. Karen Horton, Chair of Radiology, who opened the event by reflecting on the department’s impressive achievements, including the creation of endowed professorships to support faculty innovation. She also shared that the department secured $39.5 million in new research awards for 2024 fiscal year, with another $10 million already obtained for 2025. Dr. Horton emphasized the department's ongoing investment in new technologies, such as a new PET/CT scanner and the monthly "AI Fridays" meetings, which foster AI-focused collaboration.

The day’s presentations began with a session on developing imaging technologies. Dr. Caitlin Tressler introduced matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging, a method that enables the nalysis of fragile biomolecules like DNA and polymers. Dr. Ali Shakeri-Zadeh discussed Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), a breakthrough technique for tracking nanoparticles in living organisms with potential applications in stem cell therapy. Dr. Sairam Geethanath highlighted the promise of low-field MRI, which could make medical imaging more affordable and accessible.

Next, speakers delved into innovative probes and theranostic approaches. Dr. Sridhar Nimmagadda shared his team’s research on imaging the PD-L1 protein, a key biomarker in cancer that may help track the effectiveness of immunotherapies. Dr. Sangeeta Ray Banarjee presented her work on targeted radionuclide therapies for prostate cancer, showcasing the potential for imaging agents to guide both diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Ethel Ngen discussed neuroprotective nanotheranostics aimed at preventing radiation-induced brain injury in pediatric brain cancer patients.

A special session for postdoctoral fellows highlighted molecular research in cancer treatment. Dr. Puneet Khandelwal discussed photoimmunotherapy (PIT), a promising non-radiation-based therapy for pancreatic cancer. Dr. Ananad Thotakura introduced a novel PSMA-based agent for imaging and treating kidney cancer, while Dr. Dunja Simicic presented preliminary evidence suggesting that certain cancer drugs can reduce harmful metabolites in brain cancer, offering hope for glioma treatment.

The afternoon session focused on advancements in image-guided interventions. Dr. Emily Ambinder presented on tomosynthesis-guided breast biopsy, a less invasive technique with more precise targeting for breast cancer diagnosis. Dr. Farzad Sedaghat discussed the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for kidney biopsies, and Dr. Nathan Hyson explored basivertebral nerve ablation, a heat-based technique for treating chronic lower back pain.

Dr. Francis Deng and Dr. Shanshan Jiang followed with presentations on new technologies in radiology education and glioma imaging. Dr. Deng highlighted the potential of simulation-based training and generative AI to improve radiology education, while Dr. Jiang’s research on CEST/APT radiomics offers new ways to detect biomarkers in glioma tumors, helping to differentiate tumor types and assess malignancy.

The final session featured talks from newly appointed endowed professors. Dr. John Eng discussed the challenges of implementing AI in clinical radiology, addressing issues of algorithmic accuracy and bias in training data. Dr. Hanzhang Lu presented his groundbreaking work on cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) MRI, a technique that could revolutionize the diagnosis of vascular dementia and other brain conditions.

The day concluded with the announcement of poster competition winners. Dr. Horton and Dr. Zaver Bhujwalla recognized the participants and celebrated the innovative research displayed.

This year’s Radiology Research Day at Johns Hopkins highlighted the department’s ongoing commitment to pioneering research in medical imaging, AI, and therapeutic interventions. The event not only celebrated the remarkable work of faculty, fellows, and residents but also fostered an atmosphere of collaboration.

2024 Research Day Awards

Special Award Session for Postdoctoral Fellows:

• Dr. Puneet Khandelwal – Metabolotheranostics of Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting Major Metabolic Transporters with PIT
• Dr. Ananad Thotakura – Decoding Metabolic Reprogramming in Response to a PSMA-Based Radiotherapeutic Agent in an Experimental Model of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
• Dr. Dunja Simicic – Ivosidenib and Vorasidenib Decrease 2-HG in Low-Grade Glioma: Preliminary MRS Evidence

Radiology Resident Presentations:

• Dr. Tej Mehta - Prediction of Milan Criteria Status Post-Transarterial Chemoembolization Using a 3D Vision Transformer Model and Segment Anything 2
• Dr. Jacob Schick - Ventricular Segmentation using the Segment Anything Model in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
• Dr. Katherine Begley - Endovascular Intervention Successfully Maintains Long-Term Patency Following Hepatic Artery Complications of Liver Transplantation

Research Award Winners:

• Dr. Francis Deng – People and Tech – Shaping the Future of Radiology Education and Training
• Dr. Shanshan Jiang - CEST/APT Radiomics in Brain Tumors

Pre-Clinical Poster Award Winners:

• Predicting Animal Behavior from Neuronal Miniscope Data: A Deep Learning Approach Subhrajit Das, Janaka Senarathna, Emma Ouyang, Amit Banerjee, Arvind Pathak
• To Spray or to Sublimate: Considerations for Matrix Deposition of DHAP and DHB in MALDI Imaging, Gabriella Lagdameo, Ian Spears, Alyson Black, Dalton R. Brown, Cole C. Johnson, Tae-Hun Hahm, Wanyue (Emily) Wang, Alain Creissen, Kristine Glunde, and Caitlin M. Tressler
• Tumor-induced metabolic reprogramming and CD8+ T-cell exhaustion of the spleen, James D Barnett, Marie-France Penet, Raj Kumar Sharma, Michal Stanczak, Saleem Yousf, Balaji Krishnamachary, Yelena Mironchik, Erika L. Pearce and Zaver M Bhujwalla
• Characterization of a Humanized Mouse Model of Organophosphate Poisoning and Detection of Countermeasures via MALDI-MSI, Caitlin M. Tressler, Benjamin Wadsworth, Samantha Carriero, Natalie Dillman, Rachel Crawford, and C. Linn Cadieux

Clinical Poster Award Winners:

• Exercise Intolerance in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction is More Closely Related to Energetic Decline During Exercise Than to Mitochondrial Oxidative Capacity in Recovery, T. Jake Samuel, Sabra C. Lewsey, Michael Schär, Kilian Weiss, Angela M. Steinberg, Joevin Sourdon, Paul A. Bottomley, Gary Gerstenblith, and Robert G. Weiss
• Longitudinal changes in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) in older adults without and with cognitive impairment, Jiani Wu, Kumiko Oishi, Anja Soldan, Corinne Pettigrew, Zixuan Lin, Yuxin Zhu, Dengrong Jiang, Xin Li, Abhay Moghekar, Peiying Liu, Kenichi Oishi, Marilyn Albert, Hanzhang Lu
• Use of artificial intelligence based convoluted neural network system in classification of lung cancer using 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT images, Ankit Watts, Arivan Ramachandran, Rajender Kumar, Baljinder Singh, B R Mittal
• Deep-learning Derived Bone Marrow Lesion Volume and Knee osteoarthritis Incidence: Fully automated Quantitative MRI Analysis Using Osteoarthritis Initiative Cohort, Kamyar Moradi, Soheil Mohammadi, Frank W. Roemer, Sara Momtazmanesh, Quincy Hathaway, Hamza Ahmed Ibad, David J. Hunter, Ali Guermazi, Shadpour Demehri

2023 Radiology Research Day

Faculty and researchers gathered at The Johns Hopkins Hospital on Nov. 14 to share new breakthroughs in radiology during the 2023 Radiology Research Day event.

The event, now in its seventh year, is coordinated by many faculty and staff members, including professor Zaver Bhujwalla, Ph.D., M.Sc., vice chair of research and director of the Division of Cancer Imaging Research.

The theme of the day, “Collaborate – Interact”, invited attendees to work together, sharing their expertise and ideas to advance research in the field.

The event began with introductory remarks by Karen Horton, M.D., department chair. Dr. Horton highlighted a few of the many achievements of department faculty and researchers over the past year and offered a look ahead to the bright future of the department.

The day’s research presentations began with morning sessions for associate professors, assistant professors, postdoctoral fellows and residents to share their latest research.

  

During lunch, judges and attendees walked the Turner Concourse, examining more than 60 posters outlining pioneering research into various conditions and treatments across imaging modalities.

The afternoon began with presentations from clinical radiologists discussing new research into new MRI applications, breast cancer diagnosis and AI in medical imaging.

  

Following these remarks, Research Award winners Vivek Yedavalli, M.D., M.S.  and Hye Young Heo, Ph.D., M.S.  presented their research. Dr. Yedavalli’s work centered on medical imaging during acute stroke, while Dr. Heo discussed AI in magnetic resonance fingerprinting.

  

The day’s research presentations concluded with a plenary session featuring guest speaker Dr. Kamil Ugurbil, Ph.D., a professor of radiology at the University of Minnesota and expert in research using ultrahigh magnetic fields.

 

As the day drew to a close, Dr. Horton and Dr. Bhujwalla announced the winners of the research poster awards, presenting each with a ribbon.

Congratulations to all of the winners and participants!

2023 Research Day: Presenters and Awards

Associate Professor Presentations

• Sangeeta Ray – Theranostic Radiopharmaceuticals for Prostate Cancer and Beyond
• Andreia Faria – Artificial Intelligence for Clinical Stroke MRIs
• Kenichi Oishi – Analyzing Real-World Clinical Data for Precision Medicine

Assistant Professor Presentations

• Javad Azadi – Novel Applications in Ultrasound Elastography: Spinal Cord Elastography
• Catherine Foss – Radiological Technologies Driving Seeing is Believing
• Sudath Hapuarachchige – Development of 5D3-MLN8237-CF750 for PMSA-positive prostate cancer therapy
• Kelly Myers – Circumscribed Masses on Breast MRI: Can MRI Features Guide Management?

Special Award Session for Postdoctoral Fellows

• Ajay Kumar Sharma – Non-Invasive Detection of Multiple Myleoma Using Ga-68 Labelled CD38 Targeting Peptide
• Saleem Yousf – Photoacoustic imaging identifies hemodynamic changes on the brain oxygenation in mice with cachexia-inducing pancreatic cancer xenografts
• Hamza Ibad – Predictive Value of Deep-Learning Derived CT Pectoralis Muscle Measures for Incident Heart Failure: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Radiology Resident Presentations

• Tej Mehta – Multimodal Deep Learning Radiomics for the Prediction of Liver Transplant Eligibility in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
• Alec Jost -Strength in Numbers: Experience and Early Results of the National Percutaneous Cholangioscopy Registry
• Jonathan Fang – Automating the Detection of Retained Foreign Objects on Intraoperative Radiographs

Clinical Imaging Presentations

• MSK: Jennifer Pitman – Interventional MRI: MR Arthrography of the Shoulder
• Neuro: Licia Luna – Promising Clinical Application of Resting-State fMRI in Psychiatric Disorders
• IR: Gray Lyons – Interdisciplinary Vascular Conference for Clinical Education and Practice Building
• Breast: Babita Panigrahi – Disparities From Delays in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Before and After COVID
• Body: Harrison Bai – AI-driven wireless sensing and medical imaging for longitudinal monitoring of respiratory function

Research Award Winners

• Vivek Yedavalli – Imaging of Venous Outflow in Acute Ischemic Stroke
• Hye Young Heo – AI-powered Saturation Transfer MR Fingerprinting

Plenary Session

• Kamil Ugurbil (University of Minnesota) – Imaging Human Brain Function and Connectivity over Multiple Spatial Scales using Ultrahigh Magnetic Fields

2023 Research Day: Poster Winners

Pre-ClinicalPosters

• Statistical Heterospectroscopy of MALDI Imaging and NMR Spectroscopy Data for Evaluation of Breast Tumor Models
  Dalton Brown, Zuriel Erikson Joven, Natalie Dillman, Ethan Yang, Cole Johnson, Sofia Nackuchima, Kristine Glunde, and Caitlin Tressler
• Non-invasive imaging of progenitor cell transplantation in a mouse model of ALS
  Shreyas Kuddannaya, Ali Shakeri-Zadeh, Sarah K. Gross, Piotr Walczak, Nicholas J. Maragakis, Jeff W.M. Bulte
• Next-generation Miniscopes for Multicontrast Neuroimaging in Awake Animals
  Janaka Senarathna, Arvind P. Pathak, David Linden, Mingyao Ying, Nitish V. Thakor

Clinical Posters

• Brain tissue perfusion assessment without using a CT system
  Shalini Subramanian, Paul Segars, Ting-Yim Lee, Andreia V. Faria, Mathias Unberath, Donghyeon Lee, and Katsuyuki Taguchi 
• Permeability of an intravenously administered macrocyclic Gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) in the choroid plexus in healthy human subjects
  Yuanqi Sun, Jun Hua
• Imaging arterial and venous vessels using Iron Dextran enhanced multi-echo susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) MRI at 7T
  Yinghao Li, Jun Hua

 

 

2022 Radiology Research Day

The sixth annual Johns Hopkins Radiology Research Day returned to form this year as in-person event after two years of virtual gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The event is the work of many dedicated faculty and staff members, including professor Zaver Bhujwalla,Ph.D., M.Sc. Bhujwalla’s titles include vice chair of research for the Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, director of the Division of Cancer Imaging Research, and co-leader of the Cancer Molecular and Functioning Imaging Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Attendees gathered in The Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Turner Auditorium as Karen Horton, M.D., department chair, began the day with introductory remarks. Presentations by several radiology associate professors followed, including Nirbhay Yadav, Ph.D., who highlighted research on high resolution MRI imaging of cellular metabolism. 

Research related to COVID-19 was a consistent theme throughout the event, with associate professor Eniola Oluyemi, M.D., detailing research on COVID-19 vaccine-related axillary adenopathy in breast imaging, and later, assistant professor Caitlin Tressler, Ph.D., discussing her work applying MALDI imaging to COVID-19 cases. 

During the Special Award session for postdoctoral fellows, presentations offered a peek at cutting-edge imaging that looks at some of the most serious medical conditions in a new way. Saleem Yousf, Ph.D. offered an engaging presentation on photoacoustic imaging of in vivo blood oxygenation in organs of mice with a pancreatic cancer xenograft, and Yuto Uchida, Ph.D. presented research on brain imaging of patients with pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease.

A special session of radiology resident presentations included remarks from Natalie Ring, M.D., who detailed the newly developed Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Vascular Malformation Questionnaire for patients with low-flow vascular malformation, and Andrew Simmerman, M.D., who discussed imaging of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD). 

After a busy morning, participants took a break for pizza. More than 60 posters detailing cutting edge research from across the radiology department lined the Turner Concourse outside of Tilghman Auditorium as judges strolled the room, selecting their top picks.

The afternoon began with a clinical imaging focus. Chris Bailey, M.D., walked attendees through the process of designing a novel IR device, while Craig Jones, Ph.D., M.S., addressed various AI applications in clinical radiology.

Research award winners Harrison Bai, M.D., M.S., and Georg Oeltzschner, Ph.D., also highlighted their research. Bai offered a look at use of artificial intelligence in imaging patients who have COVID-19, and Oeltzschner’s presentation focused on choline and N-acetylaspartate levels in patients with glioma.

As the afternoon continued, several esteemed radiology professors presented their research. Hanzhang Lu, Ph.D., and Atif Zaheer, M.D., focused on MRI, with Lu examining imaging in brain diseases and Zaheer discussing use of biomarkers to predict diabetes following acute pancreatitis. The presentations concluded with George Sgouros, Ph.D., discussing radiopharmaceutical therapy in cancer treatments.

The day’s events concluded with final remarks and pre-clinical and clinical poster awards.

The 2022 Radiology Research Day offered many exciting and engaging ideas — from using artificial intelligence as an aid in the reading room to developing radiotherapies to treat cancer. Wherever the science goes, faculty members and researchers in the Johns Hopkins radiology department are sure to be on the cutting edge. 

2022 Awards

Postdoctoral Fellows Research Award

• Saleem Yousf — Photoacoustic Assessment of In Vivo Blood Oxygenation in Organs of Mice with Cachexia Induced by a Pancreatic Cancer Xenograft
• Aaron Gudmundson — Using Convolutional Neural Networks to Guide Suppression of Out-of-Voxel MRS Artefacts
• Yuto Uchida — Microstructural Neurodegeneration of the Entorhinal-hippo

Radiology Resident Presentations

• Andrew Simmerman — That Escalated Quickly: Etiologies and Imaging Findings of Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease (RP-ILD)
• Natalie Ring — Responsiveness of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Vascular Malformations Questionnaire (PROVAM) in Patients with Low-Flow Vascular Malformations
• David Gullotti — Teaching Technology: Evaluating a New PACS Curriculum for Radiology Residents

Poster Winners

Pre-clinical

• Akhilesh Mishra, Dhiraj Kumar, Kuldeep Gupta, Patrick Forde, Edward Gabrielson, Sridhar Nimmagadda — PD-L1 PET Quantifies the Pharmacodynamic Effects of Immunotherapy
• Ge Si, Sudath Hapuarachchige, Dmitri Artemov — uSPIO Nanocarrier Platform for Pretargeted, MR-based Multimodal Imaging
• Janaka Senarathna, Nitish Thakor, Arvind Pathak — A Miniature Multicontrast Microscope for Functional Imaging in Freely Behaving Animals

Clinical

• Di Cao, Yuanqi Sun, Pan Su, Jay Pillai, Ye Qiao, Hanzhang Lu, Peter C.M. Van Zijl, Linda Knutsson, Jun Hua — Concurrent Measurement of Perfusion Parameters Related to Small Blood and Lymphatic Vessels in the Human Brain Using Dynamic Dual-spin-echo Perfusion (DDSEP) MRI
• Sejal Ghate, Ammar Latheef, Zhipeng Hui, Alberto Santamaria-Pang, Ivan Tarapov, Craig Jones, Haris Sair — Deep Labeling of fMRI Brain Networks
• Steve Hui, Kathleen Hupfeld, Saipavitra Murali Manohar, Christopher Davies-Jenkins, Helge Zoellner, Aaron Gudmundson, Yulu Song, Georg Oeltzschner, Richard Edden — Integrated Short-TE and Hadamard-edited Multi-sequence (ISTHMUS) for Advanced MRS