Center for Advanced Imaging Research (CAIR)

HSFIII Building Image — Health Sciences Facility III
670 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Co-directed by Thomas Ernst, PhD and Linda Chang, MD, MS and housed in the new HSF-III facility at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Center for Advanced Imaging Research (CAIR) was created in 2018 to consolidate major research resources in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine.

CAIR focuses on developing and using cutting edge imaging modalities such as advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hyperpolarized imaging, positron-emission tomography (PET), and focused ultrasound. These techniques are used in groundbreaking ways to help scientists understand disease processes and advance diagnostic imaging, with the ultimate goal of improving treatment to patients in the clinical setting.

CAIR is supported by the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal and foundation funding.

Events

All Events

News

Mezrich Research Prize awarded to Dr. Piotr Walczak

‌June 2023

Piotr Walczak, MD, PhD (center in the above photo) was awarded the Reubin S. Mezrich Research Prize during the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine's Annual Research Day on June 12, 2023. Congratulations, Dr. Walczak!

Mezrich Research Prize awarded to Dr. Thomas Ernst

‌June 2022

Thomas Ernst, Dr rer nat, was awarded the Reubin S. Mezrich Research Prize during a Research Day Celebration in June 2022. Elias Melhem, MD, Chair of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, gave the award to Dr. Ernst.

The Research Day Celebration was held as a hybrid in-person and Zoom event on June 15th. Congratulations, Dr. Ernst!

Drs. Walczak and Janowski Develop Reproducible Technique to Open BBB

Video of bbb

February 2022

Piotr Walczak, MD, PhD, and Miroslaw Janowski, MD, PhD, members of CAIR and Co-directors of the Program in Image Guided Neurointerventions (PIGN), and their team developed a technique using real-time MRI to open the blood brain barrier (BBB), a formidable obstacle in delivering drug therapies to the brain. The technique has been published in the prestigious journal, Nature Protocols.

Co-authors of the study include UMSOM Post-Doctoral Fellows Chengyan Chu, MD, Yue Gao, MD, and Xiaoyan Lan, MD; Research Associate Anna Jablonska, PhD, Yajie Liang, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, and Monica Pearl, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine; Wojciech Lesniak, PhD, and Guanshu Liu, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Medicine; Shen Li, MD of Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, China; and Tim Magnus, MD, PhD of University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.

Read the press release.

Dr. Chang Receives Avant-Garde Award

July 2021

Linda Chang, MD, MS, received the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) 2021 Avant-Garde Award (DP1) for HIV/AIDS and Substance Use Disorder Research, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s Pioneer Award. This prestigious award supports researchers with exceptional creativity, who propose high-impact research with the potential to be transformative to the field.

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Laboratories

Core Facilities

Radiology Research Update

Newsletter published by the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Volunteer for a Study

Studies Seeking Volunteers

MarkVCID study – Biomarkers for Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Study volunteers are needed for a confidential clinical research study to help determine whether a special MRI scans or blood tests can detect abnormalities that tell us about brain function and risk of memory loss in people with vascular risk factors (e.g., high blood pressure or diabetes). This is a multi-center study, involving 15 sites across the country, with participants ages 60-90 years; they will be followed up annually with brain MRI scans, cognitive tests and blood tests. If interested, please call 410-706-8975 / x 1029 or email: ldonaldson@som.umaryland.edu

Cerebrovascular Reactivity and Brain Function in Older Persons with HIV
Study volunteers are needed for a confidential clinical research study to help determine whether a special MRI scan can detect blood vessel abnormalities that tell us about brain function in older people with HIV. We are seeking participants ages 50-85 years. Each participant will be evaluated with brain MRI scans, cognitive tests and blood tests. If interested, please call 410-706-8975 / x 1029 or by e-mail: mmayeli@som.umaryland.edu or ldonaldson@som.umaryland.edu

Adaptive Working Memory and Physical Exercise Training to Improve Brain and Mitochondrial Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Study
Volunteers are needed for a confidential clinical research study to help determine whether a coached 12-week physical exercise program and/or a 5-week computerized brain exercise program will improve memory and brain function in people with mild cognitive problems. We will also perform brain MRI scans, cognitive tests and blood tests, before and after the exercise programs. We are seeking participants ages 50-80. If interested, please call or text 443-252-2579 for more information. You can also e-mail mmayeli@som.umaryland.edu or SElOmeiri@som.umaryland.edu.

General Information about Volunteering

For general information about volunteering for a study, visit:

Volunteer for a Study