Graduate Training in Imaging
Sciences at Washington University
Carolyn J. Anderson and Michael J. Welch
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology,
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO
“The challenge for the 21st century is to understand
how the casts of molecular characters work together
to make living cells and organisms, and how such
understanding can be harnessed to improve health
and well-being.
…this quest will depend heavily on molecular
imaging, which shows when and where genetically or
biochemically defined molecules, signals or
processes appear, interact and disappear, in time
and space.”
Dr. Roger Tsien, University of California, San Diego
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 2003
Molecular Imaging – The New Paradigm
The characterization and measurement of biological
processes in living animals, model systems and
humans at the cellular and molecular level using remote
imaging detectors.
Multiple imaging modalities (PET, SPECT, MRI, optical,
ultrasound, CT) used to answer scientific questions
with imaging
How do we train the next generation of
Molecular Imaging Scientists?
Multi- vs Inter- Disciplinary Research
• Multi-disciplinary: a group of researchers with
differing expertise contributing to a project, and
then returning to doing research in their
specific expertise
• Inter-disciplinary: a research group is
performing science that incorporates many
aspects of science, with a focus in one area
Current Status of Imaging Sciences
Training
• Young imaging scientists are typically
trained in Chemistry, Biology, Physics,
Engineering, etc.
• Transition to interdisciplinary research
occurs during postdoctoral and/or early
faculty years
NIH Initiatives for Training an
Interdisciplinary Workforce
• Develop interdisciplinary curriculum
• Undergraduate, graduate and
postdoctoral interdisciplinary training
• Create interdisciplinary research teams
• INTEGRATION of disciplines is key
Training Programs in Imaging Sciences:
Johns Hopkins University Center for Imaging
Sciences
• Faculty in BME, Electrical and computer
engineering (ECE) and Mathematical Sciences
• Combines biomedical imaging sciences with
computational modeling
• Focus on neurological disease imaging
• Graduate tracks in Applied Math and Statistics,
BME, Comp Sci and ECE
Training Programs in Imaging Sciences:
UCLA
• UCLA Department of Molecular and Medical
Pharmacology
– Molecular imaging focus: molecular and cellular mechanisms of
normal and diseased organ systems
– Faculty have strong biological research interests
• UCLA Interdepartmental Biomedical Physics Graduate
Program
– Faculty from the Molecular and Medical Pharmacology,
Radiation Oncology and Radiological Sciences
– Graduate degrees in Biological Imaging, Medical Imaging,
Radiation Biology and Therapeutic Medical Physics
Imaging Sciences at WU
• DOE Award to train graduate students in nuclear
medicine and radiopharmaceutical sciences
• Awarded in Fall, 2001 (3 years)
• C. Anderson, PI
• Curriculum for Imaging Sciences at Washington
University (NIH K07)
• awarded in September, 2004 (5 year award)
• C. Anderson, PI
• 21st Century Imaging Sciences: Undergraduate and
Graduate Student Training (NIH T90 and R90)
•
•
•
•
awarded in September, 2006 (4 year award)
P. Stahl (Chair, Cell Biology) and C. Anderson, Co-Directors
T90 funds graduate education in imaging sciences
R90 funds undergraduate education in imaging sciences
Imaging Sciences Pathway at WU
Offered through the Division of Biology and Biomedical
Sciences (DBBS); open to all science and engineering students
• 8 graduate students were funded starting January 1, 2007
• 4 students funded for 2 years; 4 students funded for 1 year
• Students from DBBS, BME, ESE, Chemistry and Physics
• 4 new students funded for 2 years starting January 1,
2008
• Students from DBBS, BME, Mechanical Engeering and Physics
• Undergraduate students funded through R90 mechanism
• 16 students funded for summer undergraduate research in 2007
and 25 students funded in summer, 2008
• UG majors included BME, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry,
Biochemistry and Biology
• Goal - Imaging Sciences Graduate Program – 2009?
Imaging Sciences Pathway (2007)
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Physics, Chemistry or Engineering
Ph.D. in Chemistry
Ph.D. in Biological
Sciences Program
Ph.D. in Physics
D.Sc. In Engineering
Pathway
Imaging Courses (2-3)
Core
Courses
Molecular Cell Biology (through DBBS or BME)
Principles and Applications of Biological Imaging
Contrast Agents for Biological Imaging
Biological Imaging Technology
Recruitment
B.S. in Biology, Chemistry,
Biochemistry
B.S. in ESE, Physics,
BME
Ph.D. in Imaging Sciences, DBBS (2009?)
Agent Development
Molecular Medicine
Neuro-Imaging
Med Chem
Pharmacology
Application area
Pharmacology
Macromol. interactions
Application area
MRI
Functional Imaging
Algorithms
Engineering & Physics
Imaging Modality
Algorithms
Application Area
Pathway
Core Courses (3-4)
Core
Courses
Molecular Cell Biology (through DBBS or BME)
Principles and Applications of Biological Imaging
Contrast Agents for Biological Imaging
Biological Imaging Technology
Recruitment
B.S. in Biology, Chemistry,
Biochemistry
B.S. in EE, Physics, BME
Principles and Applications of Biological Imaging
(PABI)
Fall semester 2007
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Biology 5146, 3 Credits
Course Masters: Carolyn J. Anderson and Joe Culver
Teaching Assistant: Dr. Monica Shokeen
IT Specialists: James K. Kozlowski and Christopher D. Sherman
Enrollment : 17
Course Objective
•To emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of imaging sciences.
•To conduct a comprehensive survey of the array of interrelated
topics that define biological imaging and related topics
Principles and Applications of Biological
Imaging (PABI) – Lecture topics (90 min)
• Imaging math and instrumentation (7 lectures)
• Contrast Agents (3 lectures – RaPh, MR and
optical)
• Tours of imaging facilities (3 lectures)
• Imaging applications (9 lectures)
• Student Presentations (2 lectures)
Principles and Applications of Biological
Imaging (PABI) – Challenges
• Very diverse enrollment (biology, engineering,
graduate and undergraduate)
• Front loading course with math and instrumentation
did not go well with biology students
• One homework assignment for the first 7 lectures
was overwhelming to students
– Let students work on homework in groups, with
representation from various types of students in each
group
Principles and Applications of Biological
Imaging (PABI) – changes for Fall, 2008
• Make the course modular based by imaging
modality, covering instrumentation, contrast
agents and applications for nuclear medicine, MRI
and optical imaging
• Last module covers topics in neuroimaging
• Assign homework after each module (no more
than 3-4 lectures for each homework assignment)
Contrast Agents for Biological Imaging (CABI)
Spring Semester 2008
Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences and Department of Chemistry
Biology/Chemistry 5147, 3 Credits
Course Master: Carolyn J. Anderson
Teaching Assistant: Monica Shokeen
IT Specialists: James K. Kozlowski and Christopher D. Sherman
Enrollment : 8
Course Objective
To teach and discuss the chemistry and biology of
developing contrast agents for nuclear medicine,
magnetic resonance and optical imaging
Contrast Agents for Biological Imaging
(CABI) – lecture topics (90 min)
• Radiopharmaceuticals for PET and
SPECT (7 lectures)
• MRI contrast agents (3 lectures)
• Optical Imaging (7 lectures)
• Molecular targeted agents (any
modality) (4 lectures)
• Imaging facility tours (2 lectures)
• Student presentations (4 lectures)
Biological Imaging Techology (BIT)
Spring, 2008
Electrical and Systems Engineering
ESE 483/583 BME 494, 3 Credits
Course Master: Joe Culver and Jason Trobaugh
Enrollment : 14
Course Objective
To teach and discuss the math and instrumentation
design of biological imaging instrumentation
Summary of New Courses and Enrollment
Course Title
Principles and
Applications of
Biological Imaging
(PABI)
Contrast Agents for
Biological Imaging
(CABI)
Biological Imaging
Technology(BIT)
Principles and
Applications of
Biological Imaging
(PABI)
Contrast Agents for
Biological Imaging
(CABI)
Biological Imaging
Technology(BIT)
Semester
Course
Started
Total
Enrollment
UG
GR
Engineering
Physical
Sciences
Biomedical
Sciences
Spring 2006
9
1
8
7
1
1
Spring 2007
5
3
2
0
3
2
Spring 2007
13
5
8
12
1
0
Fall 2007
17
6
11
9
1
6
Spring 2008
8
3
5
2
2
4
Spring 2008
14
4
10
12
2
0
Distance Learning
Use of tablet PC makes remote
instruction user friendly
Can use this as a “virtual chalk
board” for adding notes to
slides or giving “chalk lectures”
WebCT, a web-based resource that
can be accessed through internet
browser is used for archiving and
dispensing information.
Currently, a new web-based
resource, Moodle, is being used.
Students from outside universities have enrolled in the ISP
courses with tuition waved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences
Imaging Sciences Pathway Retreats
April, 2006 and April, 2008
• Retreats held at off-campus hotel in the St. Louis metropolitan
area
• This year’s retreat attracted over 125 participants, and
included display of 40 imaging sciences related posters, and
talks from industry experts and ISP pathway graduates
Challenges of Interdisciplinary Training
• Lack of undergraduates with interdisciplinary training
• Teaching interdisciplinary courses to students from diverse
academic backgrounds
– Survey courses offered in early years of grad training
– In-depth courses are for specific aspects of imaging
• Encouraging interactions between faculty members of
different disciplines
– Retreats and seminars
• Administration and educational cultural differences must be
resolved
Addressing Challenges
• Making undergraduate education in Imaging
Sciences a priority
• Encourage cross-department and school
interaction
– Jointly sponsored seminars and retreats
– Involve faculty from different schools in teaching
and curriculum
– Require that students have two mentors from two
different disciplines (one primary and one
secondary)
What will be Achieved by Interdisciplinary
Training Programs such as Imaging Sciences?
• Integration of disciplines (physical and biological
sciences with math and engineering)
• A new generation of interdisciplinary scientists
with both didactic and practical training
• Facilitate communication among scientists
across disciplines
• Accelerated scientific discoveries
Where do we go from here?
• Create a foundation for interdisciplinary
pathways and programs
• Break down administrative, financial and
academic barriers to create a new educational
paradigms
– Resolve disparities in stipends, payment of tuition,
and financial models between programs
• Create and sustain an imaging sciences
community at WU and other universities
Acknowledgements
Washington University:
Phil Stahl, Ph.D. (Cell Biology)
Dee Owyoung (administrative)
60 mentors in the ISP
Matching Funds for Graduate and Undergraduate Slots
Schools of Medicine, Arts and Sciences, and Engineering and
Applied Sciences
Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology
NIH/NCI
K07 GM072931 (C. Anderson, PI)
T90 DA022781 (P. Stahl and C. Anderson, co-PIs)
R90 DA023416 (P. Stahl and C. Anderson, co-PIs)