2025 Board of Trustees Nominees

MOTIVATION STATEMENT:

I am honoured to stand for election to the Board of Trustees of the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS). For the past several years I have actively contributed to the Society, including serving on the 2022, 2023, 2025 WMIS Program Committee. I’ve collaborated with esteemed WMIS colleagues to shape our annual congress and promote impactful scientific discussions. Serving as a trustee would be a meaningful extension of my commitment to the Society and its mission to advance molecular imaging globally.

As a translational scientist and leader in nuclear molecular imaging, I have dedicated my career to developing and translating innovative imaging technologies that bridge scientific discovery and patient care. After completing my graduate studies and post-graduate training in North America, I joined Duke-NUS Medical School (Singapore) as faculty in 2015. I established the Laboratory for Translational and Molecular Imaging (LTMI), fostering a dynamic and vibrant translational molecular imaging ecosystem that unites academia and biotech sectors across Singapore.

My research focuses on using molecular imaging to enhance diagnosis and early intervention in cancer and infectious diseases. I have managed multidisciplinary research programs, built partnerships across academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, and led large-scale initiatives to propel molecular imaging forward. Notably, I spearheaded the Cancer Immunotherapy Imaging (CITI) Programme, a national consortium that developed Singapore’s first publicly funded radiopharmaceutical diagnostic, a peptide-based T-cell imaging probe. Additionally, my team translated a dengue virus imaging protocol to the clinic, and have since expanded our research to include other viral infectious diseases for pandemic preparedness through the Innovations in Infectious Disease (I3D) consortium. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in translating molecular imaging discoveries into real-world clinical applications.

Beyond research, I am passionate about mentoring and advocacy. With the goal of expanding the limited pool of trained talent in molecular imaging in Singapore, I mentor a diverse group of technicians, students, post-doctoral trainees, and clinician-scientists. I also teach at Duke-NUS and the National University of Singapore (NUS) and serve as faculty for the Eureka Institute for Translational Medicine, where I address healthcare inequalities and diversity in scientific leadership. I also lead the SingHealth Duke-NUS Women in Science (WinS) network, empowering early-career female scientists through various initiatives. These roles underscore my commitment to advancing an inclusive, collaborative scientific community.

My international experience, editorial board service, and involvement in organizing global conferences and chairing scientific sessions, have strengthened my ability to connect with professionals in molecular imaging and advocate for the field. My background, including my work with the WMIS Program Committee, positions me to offer a unique perspective to the Board of Trustees. I aim to contribute to WMIS’s growth as a global leader in discovery, clinical translation, and education in molecular imaging.

I am excited by the opportunity to serve WMIS as a trustee and to build on the Society’s legacy of excellence. Thank you for considering my candidacy. It would be a privilege to work with the Board to drive the Society’s mission forward and inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders in molecular imaging.

Dr. Baowei Fei is Director of the Center for Imaging and Surgical Innovation (CISI), Professor of Bioengineering and Radiology, and Cecil H. and Ida Green Chair in Systems Biology Science at the University of Texas at Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Before he was recruited to Dallas, Dr. Fei was Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Emory University where he was Director of the Precision Imaging – Quantitative, Molecular & Image-Guided Technologies Division. He was a faculty member in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology. He received his master’s and PhD degrees and postdoctoral training from Case Western Reserve University. He is Director of the Quantitative Bioimaging Laboratory (www.fei-lab.org).

Dr. Fei developed multiple biomedical imaging techniques and translated them into clinical settings. He developed novel hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and led the world’s first study on HSI for head and neck cancer detection in over 200 patients. He also developed several new imaging techniques for prostate cancer detection and diagnosis. He developed a PET/ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy system and led the NIH-funded, first-in-human clinical trial on molecular imaging directed, ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate. His clinical results show that the PET/ultrasound fusion targeted biopsy has improved the detection of prostate cancer, as reported by NBC News.

Dr. Fei is a national leader in quantitative molecular imaging and image-guided interventions. He was recognized as a Distinguished Investigator by the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research and as a Distinguished Scholar by the Georgia Cancer Coalition and the Governor of Georgia. He served as Conference Chair for the International Conference of SPIE Medical Imaging – Image-Guided Procedures, Robotics Interventions, and Modeling from 2017-2020. He served as the Chair or co-Chair for multiple NIH study sections and DOD grant review panels. Dr. Fei served as PI of more than 20 research grants from the NIH, DOD, foundations, industry, state and local programs, and other agencies. Dr. Fei is a Fellow of the International Society for Optics and Photonics (SPIE) and a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). He has published more than 250 referred papers in molecular imaging, image-guided intervention, and data science.

Personal Statement
Dr. Summer Gibbs
Douglas Strain Endowed Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Knight Cancer Institute
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR 97201

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for a board position on the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS) Board of Trustees. As a dedicated member of the WMIS, I have had the privilege of serving as co-chair of the Optical Surgical Navigation (OSN) Interest Group (2019–present) and receiving the Roger Tsien Award (2021), honors that reflect my commitment to advancing molecular imaging in both research and clinical practice. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the vital role our community plays in transforming imaging science into clinically viable tools that guide treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Throughout my career, I have been passionate about leveraging optical imaging technologies to address critical clinical challenges, from precise surgical guidance to the development of theranostic approaches that integrate imaging with therapy. My team and I have developed novel nerve-specific imaging technology for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) and are currently working closely with the FDA to perform first-in-human testing of this innovative imaging technology.

My candidacy for a WMIS board position is centered on fostering greater collaboration across imaging modalities, clinical disciplines, and sectors. I believe that the future of molecular imaging lies in breaking down silos, which will enable cross-disciplinary partnerships that connect the expertise of optical imaging with the broader imaging and therapeutic communities.

If elected to the WMIS board, I will champion initiatives that:

1. Promote Cross-Imaging Modality Collaboration: Enhance integration between the surgical guidance, nuclear medicine, and theranostics communities to create seamless pathways from bench discovery to clinical translation.
2. Expand Industry and Academic Partnerships: Bridge the gaps between academic innovation, research, industrial dissemination, and clinical application to accelerate the translation of imaging technologies to clinicians and patients.
3. Strengthen Global Outreach and Inclusivity: Build platforms that connect researchers worldwide, ensuring diverse perspectives and equitable opportunities within WMIS.

I bring a wealth of experience in the optical imaging and FGS fields, along with a commitment to broadening the impact of WMIS by uniting our collective expertise for the benefit of science, medicine, and patients. I look forward to the opportunity to serve and help shape the Society’s future as we continue to innovate and lead in molecular imaging.

Thank you for considering my candidacy. Together, we can advance the mission of WMIS and further solidify its role as a global leader in molecular imaging science and innovation.

Personal statement:

I am a Professor of Radiology and Medicine and Senior Vice-Chair & Director, Division of Radiological Sciences at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine. My group has been involved in PET related research of the CV system for >35 yrs. Current efforts focus on the development and application of PET-based molecular imaging probes designed to measure the inflammatory and fibrotic response to injury and repair in a host of cardiovascular diseases. To further facilitate the development and human translation of these and other PET molecular imaging probes, I am the Director for our NIBIB supported P41 program “the PET-Radiotracer Translation and Resource Center”, which focuses on the design, development, training and dissemination of PET radiotracers that detect cellular inflammation throughout the US and now internationally.  I am also the North American Coordinator for our Leducq Foundation- Transatlantic Networks of Excellence Program “The Inflammatory-Fibrosis Axis in Adverse Cardiac Remodeling: translating mechanisms into new diagnostics and therapeutics (IMMUNO-FIB HF) which studies the nexus between myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. I am also Editor-in-Chief for “Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging”.

The WMIS is the pre-eminent society for advancing in-vivo multi-modal molecular imaging.  If I am fortunate enough to be elected to its Board of Trustees I hope to apply my knowledge and experience in human translation of new PET radiotracers and managing large research programs to help facilitate WMIS efforts to develop molecular imaging approaches that advance our understanding human disease and improve patient care and train the next generation of scientists in this research domain.

Personal Statement:

I am a medical physicist with over 25 years of experience in biomedical research. My primary interests are image-guided therapy, pre-clinical imaging, novel early detection technologies and data science in biomedical imaging.  My early research focused on the development of novel approaches to image temperature using MRI.  This work also included the exploitation of nanotechnologies for enhancing heating patterns based on physiologic or biological targeting, and computational methods to improve the processing of the temperature sensitive MR signals.  I have been the Director of the NCI funded Small Animal Cancer Imaging Research Facility (P30 CA-16672, PI-Draetta) for almost 20 years and was the Director of the MD Anderson NCI funded Experimental Cancer Imaging Research Program from 2008-2012 (U24 CA126577).  As Director of SAIF, I lead a core research resource with over $15M of dedicated instrumentation (including MR, PET, optical, and photo-acoustic technologies) and an annual budget of over $1M/yr.  This facility has score as Outstanding on three consecutive competing renewals.  Recently, I have been studying the use of novel magnetic detection technologies, magnetic relaxometry and now magnetic particle imaging, to find cancers when they are significantly smaller than possible by conventional imaging technologies.

My motivation in serving on the Board is to bring my broad scientific, administrative and leadership expertise to the WMIS.  I have been President of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs.  I have been actively involved in the WMIS, ISMRM, RSNA, ACR and the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research (Academy) for many years.  Currently, I serve on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Academy, an organization leading the advocacy for Federal funding of biomedical imaging research.  I have a strong interest in continuing to promote the instrumentation and data science/analytics aspects of molecular imaging to advance the science.  To that end, I was a developer and have been coordinating the Joint AAPM-WMIS Symposia at the WMIC and AAPM annual meetings since their inception.  I have also served on the Instrumentation, Data Science and Magnetic Particle Imaging interest groups in WMIS.

In summary, I believe I bring a wealth of experience in science, scientific leadership and advocacy for funding of biomedical imaging to WMIS.  I look forward to continuing to move WMIS forward at the front of science as we combine biology, chemistry, instrumentation and data science to solve challenging health issues by molecular imaging.

Personal Statement:

I obtained Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the university of Tokyo in 1994 and worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Roger Y. Tsien at University of California San Diego. Subsequently, he joined Prof. Donald Hilvert group as a research associate at the Scripps Research Institute. I returned Japan as a research associate at the university of Tokyo in January 1997, and promoted to an associate professor in 2000. I moved to Osaka University as a professor in 2005, currently a distinguished professor. Starting from PhD student in 1990, I have been working in molecular imaging probes development for both fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. My research is focused both in in vivo imaging and single molecule cellular imaging.

One of the great challenges in the post-genome era is to clarify the biological significance of intracellular molecules directly in living systems. If we can visualize a molecule in action, it is possible to acquire biological information that is unavailable if we deal with biochemical methods. One possible approach is to design and synthesize chemical probes that can convert biological information to chemical outputs that are easily monitored.  For this purpose, I have developed fluorescent probes and MRI probes for bio-functional molecules and immunological responses and successfully applied them to living cells and animals. Several collaborations are on going with industry research and development for in vivo imaging.

I have been working for Japanese and Asian WMIS activity, which is to prepare and organize WMIC in Japan.

Tasks seen during last 35 years spent for my imaging studies are the multimodality and lowering a barrier between different expertise. I am a chemist and to make my research successful, human interaction among other researchers with different expertise was the most important point. I have been attending on several WMIS meetings, including Imaging in 2020 and Contrast Media Research Symposium, and all those participations have led me to come up with new ideas and collaborations. Thus, I realized the importance and WMIS and motivated me to contribute as a board member to facilitate human touch interaction to materialize scientific collaborations.

I have been working on both optical and MR based imaging probes development. In both modalities, I have been collaborating with biologist, physicists and informatician. This was a great experience that I start to understand what their research point is and then the collaboration made clear what is important in probe design from chemist expertise. These collaborations involved my student research and what I found was that young students can absorb different research field in efficient fashion. Is So, I reconfirmed the importance of multidisciplinary skills and I think I can contribute the WMIS from these experiences.

I think this field of molecular imaging has been steadily expanded by interacting researchers with different background for the same target that is visualizing unseen target. For this purpose, WMIS has been growing by supporting the above interaction more than twenty years. For next twenty years prospering, support of students and early-carrier researchers are necessary. Hiring young speakers talks are important in WMIS supported conferences is important and supporting system for the promotion, e.g. young researcher seminar talks, would be needed.

Attending and giving talks and involvement of discussion round of Imaging in 2020 meeting and CMR symposium was impressive for me and gave me positive influences about collaboration after discussion and academic interaction wad started with numerous attendants from all over the world.

I have been positively experienced the growth of research field of molecular imaging, and to accomplish further expansion WMIS has a crucial role to provide interaction and promotion of members with difference research expertise for the same goal. By above experiences, I am now willing to contribute for WMIS as a board member.

Introduction
I am a SUNY Distinguished Professor and Larkin Chair at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, in the Department of Chemistry. I received my B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and my Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Afterward, I did postdoctoral work at the University Bordeaux, France, on an NSF postdoctoral fellowship, and then at the University of California, San Diego. I began my independent career at the University at Buffalo in 1988 and advanced through the ranks to my current position as SUNY Distinguished Professor.

My research interests focus on metal ion complexes as probes for biomedical imaging, particularly for MRI applications. My contributions to this field have been recognized with several awards, including the American Chemical Society Schoellkopf Medal, an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, the NIH First Award, and the NSF Special Award for Creativity.

I am passionate about developing probes for biomedical imaging. I run a research group of nine researchers, with a focus on synthesizing paramagnetic probes and studying them in mice and rats. Given our expertise in inorganic chemistry, our probes are highly novel. My group was the first to report transition metal-based paraCEST agents and iron-based organic polyhedral cages as MRI probes. Our newest probes also serve to deliver drugs to murine tumor models. I collaborate with imaging scientists, particularly at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center for Clinical and Translational Research Institute at the University at Buffalo.

I am the co-founder and CSO of Ferric Contrast, a start-up company developing iron-based T1 MRI contrast agents. In my entrepreneurial role, I meet with researchers and business leaders from companies with imaging probe programs to discuss the commercialization of contrast agents.

Leadership and Expertise
In addition to my role as CSO of a startup company, I have served in professional societies and the publication business. I am currently completing a 10-year term as associate editor of the ACS journal Inorganic Chemistry. I am also on the editorial board of Chemical and Biomedical Imaging (ACS), and I am an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Recently, I was elected treasurer of the Society of Inorganic Biological Chemistry (SBIC).

I have also served as past chair of the Bioinorganic Section of the Inorganic Division of the ACS and as a previous council member of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. My experience extends to fundraising, both for my startup company and in my role as SBIC treasurer. I have assisted in raising funds as associate chair of the UB Chemistry Department and have led many different departmental committees over the years. I was the director of the UB Chemistry National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program for nine years and have supported 38 Ph.D. students to date.

Visions and Motivation for Joining the Board
I am motivated to join the Board of Trustees to:

1. Promote biomedical imaging science in education and outreach, and
2. Advocate for integrating synthetic chemistry into imaging, including multimodal imaging.

Biomedical imaging is a multidisciplinary field, yet it remains underrepresented in traditional chemistry departments. Chemistry departments teach thousands of undergraduate and graduate students every year, and there are many opportunities to shape their education by introducing them to multidisciplinary applications. At the board level, I would aim to participate in WMIS committees focused on outreach and education, working to recruit students and researchers who are not traditionally involved in biomedical imaging.

I would also be interested in fostering membership engagement to strengthen connections within a diverse community and to nurture the next generation of leaders in molecular imaging science by bringing students into the pipeline and building meaningful relationships. Furthermore, I am keen on enhancing research in multi-modal imaging, bringing my broad background in the synthesis of various types of probes to bear on this challenge.

My career as both an academic and entrepreneur has been dedicated to the study of probes for biomedical applications. As an educator and researcher at a large public R1 university, I am committed to the community and to expanding research in this area.

The WMIS has had a significant impact on my career, primarily by providing networking opportunities at meetings. I have presented at several WMIS and WMIS-related meetings, including Imaging in 2020, The Future of Molecular MR, and Contrast Media Research. These meetings have significantly enhanced my research in biomedical imaging, and I am enthusiastic about contributing to society governance and committees as a board member.

Dr. Murphy obtained her Ph.D. in 2011 from UCLA where she worked under the direction of Prof. Michael E. Jung on natural product total synthesis.  She joined the David Geffen School of Medicine where she was a Scholar in Oncologic Molecular Imaging postdoctoral fellow in the Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division at UCLA. In 2012, she trained in Prof. Tobias Ritter’s laboratory at Harvard University as a visiting scholar, where she focused on fluorine chemistry methodology. In the fall of 2013, Dr. Murphy was recruited to UCLA and joined at the Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging as an Assistant Professor within the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology. In 2019, she was honored with the “Ones to Watch: Early Career Professionals Making a Difference” award by the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging and, in 2021, she was promoted to Associate Professor at UCLA.

Dr. Murphy sits on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Radiopharmaceutical Sciences and, in 2021, she was the Chair of the Women in Molecular Imaging Network (WIMIN), the largest interest group within the World Molecular Imaging Society, which provides leadership for career development opportunities and advancement of women in molecular imaging sciences. Dr. Murphy’s laboratory is dedicated to addressing current limitations in radiochemistry; her research has led to the development of practical chemical methods for site-specific ¹⁸F-labeling of targeted molecules to expand the accessible radiochemical space for pre-clinical and clinical PET research. Dr. Murphy has filed 13 patents, of which four have been licensed to outside companies for commercialization and three are currently in the process of licensing agreements with startup companies. The overall goal of her work is to facilitate access to promising PET imaging probes to examine disease biology, to enhance molecular diagnostic tools and to advance therapeutic developments.

Introduction

I am a surgeon-scientist serving as the Baker Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University.  My clinical activity has been in surgical oncology. I perform head and neck ablative and microvascular surgeries.  My laboratory has focused on the investigation into surgical imaging technologies and measuring drug delivery to tumors. 

Background

Dr. Rosenthal trained at University of Michigan (in his hometown of Ann Arbor) and then did his fellowship at University of Oregon Health Sciences University with Dr. Mark Wax.  This was a head and neck reconstruction fellowship (less plastic and was Board Certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.  He then joined the Otolaryngology faculty at University of Alabama Birmingham where he performed over 2,000 free tissue transfer and initiated studies in using fluorescently labeled antibodies to guide surgical resections.  He was ultimately promoted to John Odess Professor and Otolaryngology Division Chief in 2011 and then worked collaboratively with the Chair of Surgery and Dean to create the UAB Department of Otolaryngology in 2015.  

He and his wife were recruited together to Stanford University in 2015 where she became the Chair of Surgery, and he became the John and Ann Doerr Director of the Cancer Center at Stanford University.  In this role he was responsible for the quality and care in the cancer service line.  He led Stanford’s unprecedented expansion of oncology care throughout the Bay Area. In 2021, he accepted a position as Chair of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a topped ranked Department in both NIH funding and quality as well as the number one Residency Program in Otolaryngology in the US. 

Dr. Rosenthal has published over 300 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, authored many book chapters and published a book on optical imaging in cancer.  He has conducted over a dozen early phase clinical trials for diagnostic and therapeutic agents for the treatment of solid tumors.  He is part of a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and basic scientists that perform preclinical animal studies including nonhuman primate IND-enabling studies, and first-in-human clinical trials.  The team assesses near infrared fluorescent contrast agents for use in the operating room to make the cancer visible. His research portfolio includes basic and translational research with continuous funding by the NIH since 2004 (K08, R03, R01x7, R21x3, R13). This work has resulted in 4 investigational new drug (INDs) applications and almost a dozen investigator initiated clinical trials. Development of bench-to-bedside clinical trials required forging strong collaborative relationships with other scientists and physicians in order to collect the necessary intellectual and monetary resources to bridge the gap between laboratory investigation and a clinical trial.  At Stanford and Vanderbilt, he worked across seven Departments to develop an intraoperative molecular imaging with active trials in pancreatic cancer, pediatric gliomas, adult brain tumors, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer.  The lab also focuses on molecular imaging of fluorescently labeled therapeutic antibodies to measure cellular delivery of therapies to tumors and adjacent tissues.

Motivation for Joining the Board

My decision to seek a board position stems from a deep appreciation for the transformative impact of WMIS on the molecular imaging community.  As an early member of the OSN, I have found that to be the only place where surgical expertise, industry, and scientists could successfully come together to share an educational mission. Through the OSN and the WMIC meetings, WMIS has been instrumental in shaping my career, providing platforms to share research, collaborate with interdisciplinary experts, and advance imaging science. Serving on the board is an opportunity to give back by helping to steer the society toward a future of continued innovation, inclusivity, and global leadership in molecular imaging.

I bring a unique set of skills aligned with WMIS’s current priorities. Previous leadership positions at Stanford and Vanderbilt have shaped my understanding of strategic planning and fundraising for large organizations.  I have had significant experience in securing funding for large-scale research initiatives and fostering industry partnerships.  I believe my research across multiple tumor types demonstrates my proven success in bringing together diverse teams across imaging modalities and clinical disciplines to address complex challenges.  Finally, I have a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of molecular imaging scientists.  The optimal method to do this is through one-one-one laboratory teaching and nurturing the next generation of imaging scientists through development programs within the WMIC.  I am particularly passionate about advancing multi-modality imaging approaches and exploring opportunities to expand WMIS’s influence into emerging areas such as theranostics.

Vision and Goals

My vision for WMIS

• Clinical trial design outside of industry is key for the advancement of fundamental science.  I hope to support the development and education around this topic to better understand the myriad of new biologic agents that have been approved over the past several years.
• Promoting the development and dissemination of cutting-edge imaging technologies that have a strong clinical application.  We are inundated with novel ideas and devices or technologies that will not have a significant impact.  Creating opportunities to provide constructive feedback to those scientists who are developing these is critical to the success of the society.

Personal statement:

I have been part of the WMIS and Molecular Imaging community since 2011, when I was a PhD student in Tom Wandless and Chris Contag’s lab at Stanford. At that time I recognized that we have a great community, that was enabled by the society, and that pushed ground-breaking science to new heights across many different scientific disciplines. I could see myself building a career in imaging, and now over a decade later, I have been driving toward the integration of molecular imaging with pharmaceutical development and clinical practice. Beside reviewing abstracts for the WMIC each year and being a moderator in several of the different domains, I have been a co-chair of the SyBRG interest group for the past 2 years. Thank you for considering me for the board of trustees of the WMIS. It would be a great honor to serve in this capacity and be a steward of the community moving forward.

By way of a brief introduction, I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) with a secondary appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. I co-founded and direct the Penn Center for Translational Chemical Biology (CTCB) to grow interest and facilitate training in Chemical Biology at Penn. Also, I now direct The PET Center, a university core in the Department of Radiology, which aims to bring new radiopharmaceuticals into clinical practice. The small-molecule technologies I developed have been published in Nature Medicine, PNAS, and Molecular Therapy and span from chemical tool development for basic biology applications through imaging probes that are being applied in human patients. My early career awards and funding included the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists (CAMS) and the NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5). Now in my mid-career, I have received the Cancer Research Institute Lloyd J. Old STAR Program Grant (2024) and I have been continuously NIH funded since starting my faculty position. My clinical practice in Nuclear Radiology occupies 20% of my time where my clinical focus is on the application of new radiopharmaceuticals. Of note, the mentorship of the next generation of molecular imaging trainees and chemical biologists is a central focus in the lab. I have graduated 7 PhD students and 2 post-docs (including 1 NIH F31 Fellow, 1 Penn Presidential Fellow, 2 Chemistry and Biology Interface T32 students and 2 MSTP students). My research group comprises investigators from basic and clinical domains, with expertise broadly in synthetic chemistry, cancer biology, gene and cell therapy, and immunology. Most recently, we have developed radiotracers for imaging engineered cells, such as CAR T cells.

Best,
Mark

Personal Statement:

It is an honor to be considered for the role of Trustee of the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS). From attending the inaugural Society for Molecular Imaging Conference in Boston in 2002, I found not just an academic conference but a professional home—one that has shaped my career, connected me to inspiring collaborators, and continually fueled my passion for advancing molecular imaging. Now, I am eager to bring my leadership experience, scientific expertise, and dedication to WMIS to this role.

I have been involved in molecular imaging since, well, since before I even knew about molecular imaging! During my doctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania, I used quantitative sodium MRI to assess cartilage biochemistry. This work earned the Young Investigator Award from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International and gave me the opportunity to present my findings internationally. These early experiences not only broadened my scientific perspective but also ignited my passion for fostering collaborations across borders. As a postdoctoral fellow at the NIH in the Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, I further immersed myself in molecular imaging by exploring environmentally switchable contrast agents and MRI-based cell tracking. This work, which allowed for visualizing single-cell migration in the brain, earned me recognition as a finalist for the ISMRM Young Investigator Award and recipient of the NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence. These achievements also introduced me to an international network of researchers who continue to influence my work today.

My faculty career began at Yale University where I crafted a laboratory of scientists that merged biomedical imaging with biomedical engineering, and together with a diverse ensemble of students, postdocs and laboratory staff, we innovated a slew of creative and important molecular imaging concepts for regenerative medicine. For this work, I was awarded the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, and was an invited international keynote speaker multiple times. Also, for the first time, my research involved new imaging techniques, especially computed tomography, and multi-modality imaging took root in me.

In 2012, I joined the Department of Radiology at Michigan State University, and as Associate Chair for Research, I was tasked with building a preclinical and translational molecular imaging program. Today at MSU, we are a community of nearly 100 biomedical imaging researchers, spanning molecules to humans, microscopy to small and large animal imaging to clinical studies. My own research now spans a broad multi-modal spectrum – MRI, CT, PET/SPECT and theranostics. I’ve presented at conferences and symposia worldwide and these travels have allowed me to not only share innovations from my laboratory but also forge lasting relationships with scientists, clinicians, and industry leaders worldwide, many of whom I now consider valued collaborators and friends.

WMIS has been a cornerstone of my professional journey, providing a global platform to share ideas, learn, and connect with colleagues. Over the years, I have contributed as a session and subcategory chair at WMIC meetings, served as an abstract reviewer, and participated as a Science Slam judge. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the Society’s role in advancing molecular imaging science while fostering an inclusive and collaborative community.

Throughout my career, I have prioritized mentoring the next generation of scientists and supporting the growth of a diverse and multidisciplinary imaging research community. I have trained students and postdocs from around the world, many of whom have gone on to impactful careers in academia, industry, and clinical research. I have lectured at WMIC on the challenges of staffing diverse molecular imaging laboratories. This aligns with my vision for WMIS—to continue expanding its global reach, educational programs, and support for emerging investigators.

As a Trustee, I would bring not only extensive research and leadership experience but also a global perspective cultivated through years of international travel and collaboration. My goal is to help WMIS strengthen its role as a global leader in molecular imaging, fostering connections that transcend geographical and disciplinary boundaries.

Personal Statement:

I am honored to be considered for a position on the board of the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS). Currently, I serve as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences and as a Canada Research Chair at the University of Ottawa. I am also a Scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, where I work with a talented and dedicated team focused on developing innovative molecular imaging agents across clinical imaging modalities.

My journey in molecular imaging began during my postdoctoral fellowship in the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford. Since then, I have passionately pursued the development of novel imaging probes, transitioning from preclinical research to clinical applications. Most recently, I co-founded Yellowbird Diagnostics, a startup working to translate a novel PET radiotracer from my lab into clinical use, demonstrating my commitment to bridging the gap between laboratory discovery and real-world application.

Since attending my first WMIS meeting in 2011, I have embraced WMIS as my scientific and professional home. Over the past decade, the society has provided invaluable opportunities to connect with colleagues, learn from senior leaders, and be inspired by the next generation of molecular imaging scientists. I have contributed actively to the society’s growth, serving on the WMIC Program Committee for four years and, most recently, as Program Co-Chair for the previous Montreal 2024 meeting.

I bring to the board a unique combination of academic expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and deep familiarity with the vision and mission of WMIS. My work has given me insight into both the foundational science and translational aspects of molecular imaging, as well as the challenges and opportunities our members face. I am particularly inspired by the inclusive and forward-looking approach WMIS continues to refine, integrating radioligand therapy, theranostics, and other emerging areas into its programming. This focus ensures the society remains at the forefront of preclinical discovery and clinical innovation.

If elected, I will build on my longstanding commitment to WMIS to ensure the society remains a vibrant, international hub for molecular imaging. I will advocate for initiatives that support the needs, goals, and successes of our diverse membership. Together, we can continue to advance the field and inspire the next generation of leaders in molecular imaging.

I am confident that my experience, vision, and dedication will allow me to serve the imaging community effectively and with purpose as a member of the WMIS Board. Thank you for your consideration.

I am currently an Associate Professor of Radiology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine  where, I serve as the Director of the Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Division in the Department of Radiology, Director of the Radiotheranostic Center, Director of the Nuclear Medicine residency and the PET CT fellowship and the Director of the Image Response Assessment Team in the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. Previously, I directed the Diagnostic Radiology residency program and the Molecular Imaging residency program at Johns Hopkins. I am board certified in radiology and nuclear medicine having completed my radiology residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital Columbia and nuclear medicine fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital Cornell. 

During my tenure at Johns Hopkins, I along with my colleague developed a new ACGME accredited training program combining diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine (graduates are dual board eligible by the ABR and ABNM upon completion) recognizing the imminent explosive growth ahead in precision medicine more specifically molecular imaging and theranostics. This program is one of the few programs in the country that allow medical students to commit early to a dedicated molecular imaging pathway. I also served as site PI for several industry sponsored trials investigating diagnostic and therapeutic molecular agents in the treatment of cancer. In addition, I served as co-PI of a U01 grant as well as co-Pi of DoD grant looking at tumor response assessment using molecular imaging tools in cancer and development of novel treatment strategies in patients with renal cell carcinoma and served as PI of first in human studies examining agents developed at Johns Hopkins. Being able to build and launch the theranostic clinic at Johns Hopkins has been meaningful and currently we treat several patients a day with FDA approved agents. 

In 2024, I had the opportunity to serve as the program co- chair of the annual WMIS meeting in Montreal. In this role, I was able to engage in all aspects of the society including identifying speakers, abstract selection and creating the program. In the past I have also participated in a WMIS sponsored webinar. Currently, I serve as the neuroscience co-chair for the annual meeting to be held in 2025 in Alaska.  

My motivation to apply for this role stems from my long-standing engagement with the WMIS. The society plays a crucial role in advancing the field of medicine by fostering collaboration, prioritizing education, and the dissemination of research. The annual meetings and events sponsored throughout the year bring together key researchers and clinicians from diverse specialties, providing a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing the latest advancements and the translation of these findings. Ultimately, the WMIS contributes significantly to the growth of medical science and the professional development of researchers and physicians. Additionally, the society’s mentoring programs have allowed junior faculty to collaborate with experienced researchers, strengthening their skills and knowledge. Personally, I have benefited tremendously from my involvement in the society including forming relationships with fellow researchers and clinicians that have afforded me valuable insights into the latest trends and advancements in molecular imaging. Ultimately, my involvement with the society has benefited my patients. My decade plus experience in translating novel agents into the clinic in cooperation with a multidisciplinary team aligns with the core mission of the society to advance discovery, visualization, treatment, and cure through molecular imaging.

My vision for this role is to foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive community that prioritizes the advancement of science, timely adoption of cutting-edge new technologies, the support of early-career investigators across the globe. This includes the integration of next-generation imaging technologies such as AI and novel agents into clinical practice. We must build a robust pipeline for the next generation of medical researchers, ensuring that they have the resources, mentorship, and networks they need to succeed. The WMIS currently does a great job offering mentorships programs and professional development workshops including focusing on research grant writing and funding. We must continue to promote collaboration among all stakeholders, including physicians and researchers, to accelerate translation of new agents into the clinic. As this technology rapidly develops it is important to consider the ethical implications of new technologies and treatments, and to advocate for policies that promote healthcare access and equity. Education must be a primary focus including expanding online resources and webinars to our colleagues throughout the globe.

Personal Statement:

I have been active in the field for quite some years already, now it is time to volunteer for the WMIS board and to take responsibility in serving WMIS and its members in a time where molecular imaging, all modalities, are strongly developing and where the multidisciplinary nature of WMIS is crucial for the support of the developing imaging techniques. My main contribution for WMIS would be to advocate (radiopharmaceutical-) chemistry as supportive discipline for molecular imaging and to support WMIS with my experience from previous governing bodies.

Brief Biography:

Bert was previously active as President of the Society of Radiopharmaceutical Sciences, EANM and ESMI, where he was a strong advocate of radiopharmaceutical chemistry within EANM and ESMI and supported ESMI as treasurer for 6 years. He is editor-in-chief of Nuclear Medicine & Biology since 2018.

Bert Windhorst currently holds a position as professor in radiopharmaceutical chemistry at the Amsterdam UMC, where he heads the radiopharmaceutical chemistry section of the department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine with in total 42 people (staff, post-doc, PhD and technicians), comprising chemists, biologist and engineers. His main research interest is in the development and production of ¹¹C and ¹⁸F radiolabeled compounds for clinical PET. He collaborates intensively with clinical researchers in research projects aimed to better understanding of disease by use of PET, personalized medicine and he collaborates with pharmaceutical companies on the application of PET in drug development. He is (co)author of 319 peer reviewed papers (Scopus, H-index 53), 16 patents and 3 book chapters.

Bert is co-editor of the student text book “radiopharmaceutical chemistry’, Springer, 2019. He teaches radiopharmaceutical sciences for bachelor and master students  and specialized (international) courses about radiopharmaceutical chemistry.

Personal Statement:
Dear Members of the WMIS Community,

I am Dr. Hyewon Youn, a molecular imaging scientist and professor at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University and Hospital, Republic of Korea. With over 25 years of professional experience in molecular imaging research, clinical applications, and interdisciplinary collaboration, I am honored to receive my candidacy for the Board of Trustees for the World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS).

Throughout my career, I have specialized in molecular imaging, focusing on advancing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies that integrate imaging modalities for improved clinical outcomes. My academic journey began with a B.S. and master’s training at Seoul National University, followed by a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University, USA. I have held diverse roles, including a postdoctoral fellow at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and a senior research scientist at prestigious institutions such as the University of Kansas Medical Center and Seoul National University. As a professor and researcher at Seoul National University, I lead innovative projects at the intersection of molecular imaging. I also serve in leadership positions within several prominent scientific societies, including the Federation of Asian Societies for Molecular Imaging (FASMI), Korean Society of Molecular Imaging (KSMI) and the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM), where I have contributed to educational initiatives, scientific advancement, and strategic planning. These roles have given me valuable insights into the operations of professional societies and the impact of molecular imaging in both academic and clinical settings.

I am motivated to contribute to the WMIS Board because I believe in the critical importance of the integration of sophisticated preclinical molecular imaging into clinics is a key factor in driving innovation, improving diagnostics, and enhancing therapeutic strategies. Over the years, WMIS has profoundly impacted my career, providing a platform for collaboration, learning, and exchange of ideas that have been pivotal in my own research. As a passionate advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration, I want to contribute to the continued success and growth of WMIS, advancing its mission of fostering innovation in molecular imaging and related technologies.

My extensive background equips me with skills that directly align with WMIS’s priorities. I have significant experience in strategic planning, educational leadership, and developing collaborative research initiatives. As a Director of Education for KSMI and a board member of various scientific societies, I have developed and executed programs that integrate cutting-edge imaging technologies and foster multi-disciplinary research. I have also mentored numerous early-career researchers, emphasizing the importance of imaging sciences in clinical and pre-clinical research. I have served as an editorial board member for the peer-reviewed journals, such as Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) and European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (EJNMI). In particular, as a senior editor for MIB, I have been involved in scientific exploration of molecular imaging.

Additionally, my expertise in fundraising and sponsorship acquisition has enabled me to secure resources for various projects, ensuring the sustainability of programs aimed at advancing molecular imaging. I am particularly interested in expanding the collaboration between imaging modalities and information management systems, an area that is critical for the future of the field and one in which WMIS is uniquely positioned to lead.

If elected to the WMIS Board, my vision is to enhance global collaboration and strengthen the integration of advanced imaging technologies with basic knowledge. Specifically, I aim to:

• Advocate for the development of new imaging technologies, particularly in multi-modality approaches, that can revolutionize diagnostics and personalized treatments.
• Foster mentorship and create platforms for early-career scientists and researchers to develop their skills in both imaging science and management systems.
• Expand WMIS’s global network to facilitate partnerships with institutions in emerging regions, ensuring the broad dissemination of knowledge and resources in molecular imaging.

Personal Statement:

I am a Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, China. I am also a Professor of Biomedical Engineering and serve as the Director of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and the Dean of College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science of Zhejiang University.

As an international medical imaging professional, I have over 30 years training and working experiences in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging in Japan, UK and China. During my 10-years study and work in Japan and UK from 1994, I received the Degree of Medical Science in Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Gunma University School of Medicine in Japan. I have been trained as exchange doctoral fellow of nuclear medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital of the University of London in UK, and a postdoctoral fellow (JSPS Fellow) supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) in Japan from 2000-2002, then, moved to the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) as the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Fellow from 2002-2004. My first academic appointment was in 2004 at Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the top-3 university in China as a Professor of Nuclear Medicine.

My research focuses on advancing molecular imaging and therapeutic approaches for cancer and central nervous system disorders. With the grant support of over $13 million from Ministry of Science and Technology and National Natural Science Foundation of China, my group has pioneered preclinical and clinical PET molecular imaging as well as multiplexed molecular imaging approaches to neurological diseases, especially in pediatric epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, achieving highest diagnostic efficacy in detecting epilepsy foci in pediatric patients. We established multi-imaging system for in vivo visualization stem cell, which enables tracing proliferation, apoptosis and migration of stem cells in living subjects. We also invented the first microfluidic chip-based modular synthesis system for PET molecular imaging probes, which provides personalized synthesizing of special probes according to patients’ needs and promote the development of PET probes.

I have been the member of WMIS for many years and actively engaged in various aspects. WMIS has impacted my field a lot, not only by attending and involving in WMIC annual meeting and participating in poster judging as well as acting as subject chair and program committee member, but also attracting many researchers and physicians in other fields joining to the field of molecular imaging, especially from my hospital, my college and facilities around China. As one of the most important global scientific societies in medical imaging, WMIS has played an important role in collaborating with WMIS members, organizing educational events, fostering collaborations, and promoting knowledge exchange worldwide.

In recent years, the WMIS and the field of molecular imaging have experienced significant growth. However, it is time to further strengthen and expand the role of the WMIS and of the molecular imaging community as global leaders in clinical application, education, and research in the post pandemic era. It is important to continually promote strategic collaborations, both in the US and internationally, especially with China and Asian countries, to increase the awareness of the field of molecular imaging and of the WMIS as leader in high quality medical practice and research. It is essential to promote and enhance opportunities for high quality molecular imaging education in clinical practice and translational research through continued improvement of combined training and certification pathways in collaboration with other medical societies. To achieve this, it is obvious that we should more actively involved in the WMIS affairs.

It is my responsibility to further contribute to the development of WMIS, if possible at the board level, to reinforce my dedication to WMIS’s core mission of advancing discovery, visualization, treatment, and curing through molecular imaging.