Department of Diagnostic Imaging

Research

Research at all levels is not only critical to ensuring the safe and robust implementation of new imaging methods, but it also permits the investigation of novel and creative imaging approaches.

Research

Research at all levels is not only critical to ensuring the safe and robust implementation of new imaging methods, but it also permits the investigation of novel and creative imaging approaches.

brain scanResearch plays an important role in the academic mission of our department. Research at all levels—from the benchtop to the patient—is not only critical to ensuring the safe and robust implementation of new imaging methods, but it also permits the investigation of novel and creative imaging approaches. As important, research is intellectually satisfying and rewarding on a personal level. It allows us to investigate interesting questions in our field and address vexing problems. Research provides the opportunity to don our creative caps, yield to our curiosity, and explore.

We are particularly proud of our strong research legacy here at Brown. Our Diagnostic Imaging Research Division has historically been very productive over a broad range of research topics and imaging specialties, including cutting edge research from our Image-Guided Therapies Research Lab (directed by Dr. Aaron Maxwell), Brown Radiology Human Factors Lab (directed by Dr. Grayson Baird), Medical Imaging Artificial Intelligence Lab (directed by Dr. Zhicheng Jiao), and our Brown Medical Expectations Lab (directed by Dr. Michael Bernstein). The future here is very bright! 

Brown Radiology Human Factors Lab

The Radiology Human Factors Lab (BRHF) is a collaboration of experimental psychologists, statisticians, and radiologists across Brown University, Brown University Health Hospital System, and Rhode Island Medical Imaging that provides programmatic research dedicated to improving patient care by optimizing performance in radiology.

Human Factors Lab (RHF)

Trainees at all levels from undergraduates to fellows participate in research across a broad range of topics and are encouraged to do so. Our trainees frequently attend national and international meetings to present their research. To promote and enhance research productivity within the department, we have implemented several support systems including

  • Full-time research coordinators to help with Grants, IRB submissions, patient recruitment, etc.
  • Data retrieval specialists
  • Expert faculty for statistical support
  • Advanced Imaging Lab (AIL) for data analysis and post-processing (for both research and clinical applications)
  • Radiology Human Factors Lab (RHF)

If you are interested in learning more about research activity within the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at Brown, please feel free to contact us.

Advanced Imaging Lab (AIL)

Our state-of-the-art Advanced Imaging Lab (AIL) was developed to enhance clinical services, provide research support and educate and train the next generation of health care professionals. The 1800 square foot lab is located in the heart of the Diagnostic Imaging Department at Rhode Island Hospital. While led by our department, the AIL embraces opportunities to work with other clinical and research departments.

The AIL is equipped with high-end Mac, Linux, and Windows workstations with a variety of software tools, a teleconferencing/telemedicine system, and non-clinical research data servers. These data servers can facilitate research by providing automated medical imaging de-identification as well as imaging storage and archival capabilities. High performance computing, 3D printing, motion capture, and other 3D-related services are available through partnerships with other local facilities and departments. A full software suite is available for data analysis and post-processing.

Our list of clinical applications continues to grow, with programs in cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and oncologic imaging in addition to  interventional radiology and surgical planning.

Please contact Aleksandar Todorovich with any questions about the AIL or to schedule a tour.