Graduate Training in Imaging Sciences at Washington University

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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

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• 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

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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Imaging Sciences Pathway (2007) Ph.D. in
Biological Sciences, Physics, Chemistry or
Engineering
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences Program
Ph.D. in Physics
Ph.D. in Chemistry
D.Sc. In Engineering
Pathway
Imaging Courses (2-3) Molecular Cell Biology
(through DBBS or BME) Principles and Applications
of Biological Imaging Contrast Agents for
Biological Imaging Biological Imaging Technology
Core Courses
Recruitment
B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry
B.S. in ESE, Physics, BME
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Ph.D. in Imaging Sciences, DBBS (2009?)
Neuro-Imaging MRI Functional Imaging Algorithms
Molecular Medicine Pharmacology Macromol.
interactions Application area
Agent Development Med Chem Pharmacology Applicatio
n area
Engineering Physics Imaging Modality Algorithms
Application Area
Pathway
Core Courses (3-4) Molecular Cell Biology
(through DBBS or BME) Principles and Applications
of Biological Imaging Contrast Agents for
Biological Imaging Biological Imaging Technology
Core Courses
Recruitment
B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry
B.S. in EE, Physics, BME
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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
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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)

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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

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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)

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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
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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)

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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
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Summary of New Courses and Enrollment
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Distance Learning
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.
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
Students from outside universities have enrolled
in the ISP courses with tuition waved by the Dean
of Arts and Sciences
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Imaging Sciences Pathway RetreatsApril, 2006 and
April, 2008

• Retreats held at off-campus hotel in the St.
  Louis metropolitan area
• This years retreat attracted over 125
  participants, and included display of 40 imaging
  sciences related posters, and talks from industry
  experts and ISP pathway graduates

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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)