News

Prof. Martin Pomper Receives IS3R Sam Gambhir Innovation Prize 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Martin Pomper has been awarded the prestigious IS3R Sam Gambhir Innovation Prize 2023. Prof. Pomper, the Henry N. Wagner, Jr., M. D. Professor and Director of the Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has been recognized for his remarkable contributions to the field of biomedical imaging.

Prof. Pomper’s groundbreaking achievements lie in the identification of new molecular imaging techniques and theranostics, particularly regarding small-molecule imaging and therapeutic agents targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). His exceptional work has directly led to the identification and FDA approval of DCFPyL (PYLARIFY®), a PET radiopharmaceutical used for imaging prostate cancer. This landmark innovation has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of men worldwide, revolutionizing the detection and management of this prevalent form of cancer.

The IS3R Executive Board cordially congratulates Prof. Pomper on this significant achievement.

The IS3R Sam Gambhir Innovation Prize was established in 2021 to honor the groundbreaking accomplishments and visionary leadership of the late Prof. Sam Sanjiv Gambhir (1962-2020). It is awarded to outstanding innovators who made breakthrough innovations in the field of biomedical imaging with clear societal impact.

(07/23)

IS3R publishes first member-based white paper

We are delighted to announce the publication of the IS3R member-initiated White Paper on Integrated Diagnostics, led by R. Nick Bryan and written by a group of esteemed members of the society including Norman Beauchamp, Gabriel Krestin, Geraldine McGinty, and Carolyn Meltzer. The white paper, which has been published in both the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR) and Insights into Imaging, offers invaluable insights into the rapidly evolving field of integrated diagnostics. By combining different diagnostic tools and techniques, the authors provide a more comprehensive understanding of patient health, making this paper essential reading for anyone involved in healthcare and medical research. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the authors for their significant achievement and anticipate their work will have a significant impact on the field of diagnostic medicine in the years to come.

(3/23)

Thomas G. Flohr is inaugrual winner of IS3R Sam Gamhir Innovation Prize

It is our great pleasure to announce that the IS3R Sam Gambhir Innovation Prize has been awarded to Prof. Dr. Thomas Flohr, Head of CT Physics, Application Predevelopment and Global Clinical Collaborations, Siemens Healthineers, and Adjunct Professor for Medical Physics, Eberhard-Karls-University Tuebingen, for his outstanding achievements in the field of Computed Tomography. His innovations define CT today: from the development of Cardiac-CT, Multislice-CT, and Dual-Source CT to, most recently, Photon-Counting CT. Over the past 25 years, his inventions have helped the modality of CT answer a wider range of clinical questions with a higher degree of precision and for more patient groups.

The IS3R Executive Board cordially congratulates Prof. Flohr on this notable achievement.

The IS3R Sam Gambhir Innovation Prize was established in 2021 to honor the groundbreaking accomplishments and visionary leadership of the late Prof. Sam Sanjiv Gambhir (1962-2020). It is awarded to outstanding innovators who made break-through innovations in the field of biomedical imaging with clear societal impact.

(5/22)

Caroly Meltzer named dean of Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California

We are delighted to share the news that IS3R member Dr. Carolyn C. Meltzer has been named dean of the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California paying tribute to her extensive experience in research and leadership and her accomplishments as a passionate educator and mentor.

The IS3R Executive Board wish to extend their heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Meltzer on this outstanding achievement.

Meltzer currently is the William P. Timmie Professor and chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Emory University in Atlanta. She will assume her new role at USC effective March 1.

The Lancet Oncology Commission on Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine

The IS3R is delighted to have contributed to the recently released The Lancet Oncology Commission on Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine. It was an extraordinary collaborative effort. In addition to the 17 listed authors of the paper published in Lancet Oncology there was involvement of representatives of 27 major International organizations, contributions from 22 leading clinicians (radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians) and health economists, and engagement in the project by 15 Commissioners at large who played an important role in shaping the focus of the project to a final successful outcome.

The modelling utilized in the clinical outcome analyses also involved the contributions of 34 leading radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians, and 21 oncologists, from 12 countries within North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Oceania.

The contributions of IS3R members Giles Boland, James Brink, Luis Donoso-Bach, Guy Frija, Hedi Hricak, Christian Herold, Pek-Lan Khong, Gabriel Krestin, Jason Lewis, Geraldine McGinty, and Andrew Scott were an essential part of the Lancet Oncology Commission project, and highlight the vitally important and strategic role IS3R plays in International efforts to improve access to imaging for patients.

Moving forward, we hope that IS3R will have a major role in implementing the findings of the Lancet Oncology Commission, particularly in advocacy and policy implementation at an International and Governmental level. Over the next few months, we will provide updates on the progress being made, and seek assistance from IS3R members for achieving these goals.

Facts and Figures

The Commission brought together detailed information on imaging equipment and workforce in over 200 countries, which can be accessed at: https://humanhealth.iaea.org/HHW/DBStatistics/IMAGINE.html. Key findings were the low numbers of all imaging equipment in low- and middle-income countries, and disparities even in high income countries. Digital networks were identified as a key deficiency in accessing imaging data. The numbers of radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians also varied widely between countries. The detailed information in this database may be of interest to IS3R members.

A further major finding of this Commission was that investment in installing imaging equipment in low- and middle-income countries (along with workforce support) would result in substantial improvement in cancer patient outcomes, with up to 2.47 million deaths averted over a 10-year period. In addition, investment in imaging would double the financial benefits of improvements in treatment access for cancer patients and quality improvement in health systems – something that we have always believed was likely, but now there is clear evidence that this is the case.

An ambitious plan to create a $100 million fund to seed fund this initiative has been proposed, and will require engagement with major international organizations. It will be necessary to also develop a program of education and training in low- and middle-income countries, and IS3R has a potential role to play in this area.

For further information on the results of this Commission, the paper has just been published online (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30751-8/fulltext), and the presentation of the key results at the recent European Congress of Radiology meeting are available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN40SXgyVeY.

(03/21)

R. Pettigrew to receive Vannevar Bush Award

The IS3R is delighted to share the news that the National Science Board (NSB) has named Dr. Roderic I. Pettigrew as recipient of the Vannevar Bush Award. The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the US through public service in science, technology and public policy.

The Executive Board cordially congratulate Dr. Pettigrew on the award of this distinguished honor.

Pettigrew is CEO of Engineering Health (EnHealth) and executive dean for Engineering Medicine (EnMed) at Texas A&M University and Houston Methodist Hospital, as well as the Robert A. Welch Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Statement on Clinician Well-Being

The IS3R recently contributed to the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience. The society submitted a statement and shared plans of action to reverse clinician burnout and promote clinician well-being. The statement is now available on the NAM website. (03/2018)