Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology to open center for advancing AI-based imaging tools
Experts with the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are working to develop a new center dedicated to the advancing artificial intelligence-based imaging capabilities.
The Center for Computational and AI-enabled Imaging Sciences will bring together talent from WashU’s respected medical and engineering programs. It also will combine the expertise of researchers from other AI initiatives throughout the university, including the Center for Health AI (CHAI) and the AI for Health Institute at WashU McKelvey Engineering. Together, experts from each group will collaborate to develop tools that will improve the diagnosis and treatment of disease through imaging.
In a news release, Pamela K. Woodard, MD, professor and head of the Mallinckrodt Institute, said the new center represents an “ambitious expansion” of the organization’s established AI research presence.
“Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology has long been a national leader in developing innovative imaging technologies, from the invention of positron emission tomography to today’s AI applications in diagnostics and image analysis, and this new center represents an ambitious expansion of our capability,” Woodard said. “Integrating AI into imaging will enhance how we diagnose disease, predict its progression and tailor treatments to the unique needs of each patient.”
The center will house imaging data acquired from across all of WashU’s participating departments. The data will include imaging from all modalities and will be used to develop algorithms that can spot unique patterns indicative of disease risk, progression and treatment responses.
Mark Anastasio, PhD, an expert with an extensive background in AI for imaging applications, is set to spearhead the center’s efforts. The Mallinckrodt Endowed Professor of Imaging Sciences also will hold the title of vice chair for imaging sciences and AI research, professor of electrical and systems engineering in McKelvey Engineering, in addition to taking on other leadership roles.
“Institutions with leading academic medical centers that unite medical data, clinical expertise and advanced AI research will lead the next revolution in healthcare,” Anastasio said in the announcement. “WashU is exactly such an institution and an ideal home for this center that will enable us to build a community to drive innovation that advances patient care in ways few other institutions can achieve.”
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.