Molecular imaging using molecular targeted microbubble-based contrast agents.

Ultrasound provides for single particle (single microbubble) imaging sensitivity. When we can detect a microbubble that has adhered to a selected molecular receptor, we have detected the signature of disease at a molecular level. Thus, we can detect disease at the earliest possible stage. The foremost applications are in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Our laboratory is primarily interested in developing new signal processing methods for detecting the signal associated with a molecular (ligand-receptor) bound microbubble with high sensitivity and high specificity in real-time.

Catheter-based ultrasound imaging and drug delivery.

We are also investigating drug delivery to a blood vessel wall and for improved delivery of clot busting drugs with applications in stroke and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). For this work, we place a transducer and a microbubble source (using a microfluidics approach) on a catheter.

Each of the above projects is supported by an existing, or imminent funding,  NIH R01 4-5 year grant.

We are also pursuing projects in photoacoustics, ultrasound image guided radiation oncology (breast cancer application primarily) and in the use of ultrasound for prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Biography:

I obtained B.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Strathclyde, UK. Thereafter, I was a Post Doctoral Researcher at Stanford University in the E. L. Ginzton Laboratory for two years. I then worked in industry at Acuson, a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced ultrasound imaging equipment in Mountain View, CA for seven years.  Since 2000, I have been an Associate Professor, then Professor, of Biomedical Engineering, (Electrical and Computer Engineering 2006–) at the University of Virginia.

Thus, I have a background in both the academic and industry setting. Additionally, I have been involved in, to a varying degree, three startup companies. Each of these have been successful.