Speaker: Chun Yuan, Ph.D., FAHA, FISMRM

Time and Date: 9:30 am, May 14, 2018

Place: Room 530 of Scientific Building, Handan Campus,Fudan University

Abstract:

Medical imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Due to the different information obtained from each imaging modality, opportunities and challenges coexist for cardiovascular imaging technology. First, there are differences in the complexity and popularity of imaging technologies. Second, a single imaging modality is difficult to fully reflect disease information. Third, technological innovation consumes a lot of computational costs. Fourth, a large amount of image data is isolated. The solution to the above problems lies in the use of Internet and cloud computing methods to select precise and effective medical imaging modalities, and the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to explore efficient and reliable intelligent diagnostic models.

Another role of medical imaging lies in the prevention of chronic cardiovascular disease. Through medical image analysis, risk factors can be assessed for early detection of cardiovascular disease in sub-health populations. Based on forward-looking research conducted by the "High Risk Plaque Initiative", this report will discuss the potential methods and opportunities for the application of medical imaging and smart medicine in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Biography:

Professor Yuan’s interest is in cardiovascular imaging, from technical development to its role in the detection, treatment, and prevention of high-risk atherosclerotic lesions that cause strokes and heart attacks. Together with Dr. Thomas Hatsukami, a vascular surgeon, he leads the Vascular Imaging Lab (VIL) at the University of Washington to a prominent role in the world of vascular imaging. A series of landmark single and multi-center studies utilized the unique Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques that VIL established to form the current foundational understanding of high-risk plaque (lesion) characterization and keep VIL a world leader in detecting high-risk atherosclerotic lesions area with MRI. In addition to basic and translational research, Dr. Yuan and VIL develop unparalleled programs for training physicians and scientists on vascular imaging, strengthened by Dr. Yuan’s extensive international collaborations, especially in China.

Dr. Yuan is a tenured Professor in the Departments of Radiology and Bioengineering, as well as the Co-Director of the Vascular Imaging Lab, and Director of the Bio-Molecular Imaging Center at the University of Washington. Additionally, he is the Vice Chair of global affairs in the Department of Radiology. He received his B.S. in physics in 1982 at Beijing Normal University and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Physics in 1988 at the University of Utah.

Dr. Yuan is a fellow at the American Heart Association (AHA) and the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM). He has received multiple awards, including the distinguished investigator award from the Academy of Radiology Research in 2016. He is a member of the editorial board or a manuscript reviewer for over 20 peer-reviewed journals involving magnetic resonance, arteriosclerosis, stroke, and cardiovascular sciences. Dr. Yuan currently reviews grants for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and more than 12 other institutions. He was formerly president of the Overseas Chinese Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (OCSMRM) in 2012-2013. OCSMRM elected Dr. Yuan because of his expertise in the field of cardiovascular imaging and magnetic resonance. His qualifications have resulted in many invitations to serve as a speaker, keynote, lecturer, moderator, or faculty member for domestic and international imaging conferences. He has over 300 articles in peer-reviewed journals (Google scholar – with citations over 25000 times and an h-index of 71). Numerous NIH, private foundation and industrial grants support Dr. Yuan’s research. He has over twelve patents filed.

Dr. Yuan seeks opportunities and supports to further advance imaging techniques for vascular imaging and to maintain VIL as a world leader in atherosclerosis imaging. He is interested to conduct translational studies using the imaging techniques he has pioneered in clinical and preventive settings. He also looks to establish new models of cardiovascular disease screening, prevention, and treatment, and to train a new generation of researchers and physicians.