Our Team

Piotr Walczak, MD, PhD
Professor
Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 410-706-7904
Email: pwalczak@som.umaryland.edu

Dr. Walczak's research focuses primarily on monitoring noninvasively the status of stem and progenitor cells transplanted into the disease-damaged central nervous system. One of the core problems in cell-based therapy of neurological disorders is that the immature, naïve stem cells are typically used in adult or senescent patients. Developmental cues that guide stem cell development in embryogenesis are no longer present in this environment. Thus, for appropriate migration, differentiation, and functional integration of transplanted cells, their development likely will need to be guided by exogenous factors. Full Profile

Miroslaw Janowski, MD, PhD
Professor
Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Tel: 410-706-7904
Email: miroslaw.janowski@som.umaryland.edu 

Dr. Janowski completed his residency in neurosurgery at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland in 2009, and a year later he defended his PhD thesis in neuroscience at the Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, PAS, Warsaw, Poland. In 2011 he joined the Department of Radiology at Johns Hopkins University as a post-doctoral fellow and his career progressed to Associate Professor in 2016. In 2019 he moved to the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Dr. Janowski’s research interests center on adding advanced imaging to accomplish precision medicine in neurointerventions. He is using radiolabeling and magnetic labeling of therapeutic agents to deliver them to the central nervous system using real-time interventional PET and MR imaging. In 2023 he has been promoted to Full Professor for the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine of at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Dr. Janowski's Publications

Chengyan Chu, MD
Research Associate
Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Email: Chengyan.Chu@som.umaryland.edu
Phone: 410-710-7488

Dr. Chu completed his residency in Neurology at 2016. He obtained his M.D degree in medicine at the university of Hamburg, Germany at 2021. Dr. Chu received his postdoctoral training at the Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland, Baltimore. His main research interest is employing cutting-edge intra-arterial delivery of therapeutics including stem cells, anti-inflammatory drugs to pioneer effective treatment strategies for neurological conditions. He serves as a research associate in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Yajie (Kevin) Liang, MB, PhD
Assistant Professor
Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Email: yajie.liang@som.umaryland.edu
Phone: 410-706-3697

Dr. Liang's team is using advanced intravital 2-photon (2p) microscopy to visualize physiological or pathological biological processes in live animals. The optical sectioning and penetration powers of 2p imaging make it possible to study deep scattering tissues in fine details. The availability of a variety of fluorescent probes empowers 2p microscopy and opens so many possibilities to unfold the secret of life from unprecedented perspectives. I have switched from neurobiology to translational research out of the belief that interdisciplinary efforts are essential in the battle against the common enemy of mankind: diseases. Full Profile