Overview
- Our QIAL lab advances quantitative imaging by designing novel CT systems, reconstruction algorithms, image analysis and applications, with a core strength in preclinical CT.
- Current efforts center on spectral CT (dual-energy and photon-counting) with nanoparticle contrast agents for theranostics, multidimensional CT for challenging applications such as intracranial aneurysm, cardiac, and perfusion imaging, and modern reconstruction and image processing ( including deep learning).
- In parallel, we lead co-clinical cancer imaging work; I served as PI of the U24 Duke Preclinical Research Resources for Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers within the NCI Co-Clinical Imaging Research Program (CIRP).
- We are also building a virtual preclinical photon-counting CT platform for cancer studies to accelerate method development and translation.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor in Radiology
·
2021 - Present
Radiology,
Clinical Science Departments
Research Professor of Biomedical Engineering
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2023 - Present
Biomedical Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2012 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Image-Guided Cardiac Regeneration via a 3D Bioprinted Vascular Patch with Built-in CT Visibility.
Journal Article Chem Eng J · September 15, 2025 Cardiac patch-based regenerative therapies have shown great promise in the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI). The clinical applications of patch devices, however, face major limitations mainly due to the inadequate integration of typically nonvascula ... Full text Link to item CiteDevelopment of anatomically variable digital Wistar rat phantoms for small animal imaging research.
Journal Article Med Phys · August 2025 BACKGROUND: Digital phantoms are valuable tools for evaluating small animal imaging systems. They can help optimize imaging parameters before live studies, supporting efforts to reduce animal use and refine experimental protocols. Wistar rats are widely us ... Full text Link to item CitePhoton-counting micro-CT scanner for deep learning-enabled small animal perfusion imaging.
Journal Article Phys Med Biol · July 7, 2025 Objective.In this work, we introduce a benchtop, turn-table photon-counting (PC) micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner and highlight its application for dynamic small animal perfusion imaging.Approach.Built on recently published hardware, the system now f ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Development of a Virtual Preclinical CT Platform for Advanced Imaging and Theranostics in Head and Neck Cancer Research
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029Detecting Growth of Intracranial Aneurysms Using Non-Invasive Photon Counting CT in a Murine Model.
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2029Cardiac photon counting CT and its application in studying interactions between Alzheimer's and heart disease
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Aging · 2021 - 2026View All Grants