UCSF Imaging

09/04/2025

We have some big news to share! Last week marked the first patient scanned in a first-in-human PET study using the tracer 18F-TRX, developed by Dr. Mike Evans and his team.

This clinical trial will explore how 18F-TRX can help detect cancers such as glioma, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer. By highlighting unstable iron levels within tumors, this tracer offers a promising new way to see cancer more clearly.

A huge thank you to the entire team—RPF, clinical research coordinators, nurses, nuclear medicine technologists, and physicians—for their dedication in making this milestone possible!

https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu/trial/NCT06942104

09/03/2025

We're celebrating 12 straight years as the #1 radiology residency program in the country according to the Doximity Residency Navigator!

This honor wouldn't be possible without our incredible residents, faculty, staff, alumni, and the patients and community we're privileged to serve.

08/19/2025

We are proud to announce that Dr. Thomas Lang has been named the recipient of the 2025–27 UCSF Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professorship Award!

Dr. Lang, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, will conduct a two-year project using clinical CT scans and artificial intelligence to advance our understanding of how diseases and treatments affect the musculoskeletal system.

The Dickson Award celebrates emeritus professors who continue to make exceptional contributions to research, teaching, and service at UCSF.

Join us in congratulating Dr. Lang on this achievement!

08/13/2025

Meet postdoctoral scholar Xiaoxi Liu, a scientist who loves solving puzzles, especially when the solution can help patients.

After training in diagnostic radiology at the University of Hong Kong, she joined UCSF's Larson Lab to develop new MRI techniques that go beyond what standard scanners can do. Her focus? Using hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI to improve tumor and breast imaging.

Read her full story here: https://radiology.ucsf.edu/blog/xiaoxi-liu-phd-postdoctoral-scholar-image-acquisition

08/08/2025

Large language models (LLMs) are generating interest in radiology, but are they ready for clinical use?

Dr. John Mongan, faculty at UCSF Imaging and chair of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) AI Committee, discusses the practical challenges of adopting LLMs in RSNA News. His Radiographics commentary, co-authored with Dr. Maggie Chung, outlines how radiologists can critically evaluate and safely implement these tools.

Read more:
RSNA article: https://www.rsna.org/news/2025/july/using-llms-in-radiology
RadioGraphics commentary: https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/rg.240230

07/25/2025

For MRI Safety Week, the UCSF MRI Safety Committee handed out 550 fortune cookies across our campuses, with each cookie containing a real MRI safety question instead of a fortune.

Why? Because safety starts with awareness, and a little curiosity goes a long way.

What kind of metal can cause burns during an MRI?
What's the purpose of a squeeze ball during your scan?

Find out the answers and more about the 10 MRI safety steps we're using every day: https://radiology.ucsf.edu/blog/standardizing-mri-safety-10-easy-steps

07/22/2025

Dr. Ashish Raj and his team wanted to answer a core question: Why does tau, the protein tied to Alzheimer's, hit some brain regions harder than others?

By merging brain scans, genetics, and mathematical modeling, they mapped tau's movement and found that some genes actively shape the terrain. Their work helps explain why some brain regions collapse early, while others stay resilient. And it opens the door to smarter strategies to intervene.

Read more: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2025/07/430326/why-do-some-brain-regions-resist-alzheimers

07/17/2025

We're excited to introduce two new faculty members!

Dr. Congyu Liao brings deep expertise in diffusion and quantitative MRI, especially in early brain development. Dr. Salil Soman joins with a focus on neuroradiology and brain metabolism. His research on oxygen use in the brain has opened new ways to distinguish between neurological conditions.

We're proud to have them on board. https://radiology.ucsf.edu/blog/ucsf-welcomes-faculty-members-congyu-liao-phd-and-salil-soman-md-ms

07/14/2025

Rounds. Featuring Dr. Christine Menias, professor of radiology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science and editor of RadioGraphics, and Dr. Linda Moy, professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and editor of Radiology, this session will focus on scientific dissemination.

For more information: https://radiology.ucsf.edu/events/ucsf-radiology-grand-rounds-scientific-dissemination

07/03/2025

At UCSF Imaging, we support early-career clinician-scientists as they develop impactful, independent research programs. Join us on July 10th for session 1, featuring presentations from T32 Program trainees working at the intersection of imaging and clinical science.

Learn more about the T32 Program and RSVP to attend in person:

RSVP to attend in-person

06/27/2025

Meet Rudy Baltodano: scheduling expert at UCSF Health and devoted San Francisco Giants fan. As Practice Manager for radiology scheduling, Rudy leads a team that answers up to 1,000 patient calls each day, and thanks to his process improvements, wait times are now shorter than ever. Want to know how he keeps everything running smoothly on and off the field? Read his story on our blog: https://radiology.ucsf.edu/blog/rudy%E2%80%99s-journey-leading-way-patient-scheduling

06/25/2025

HHT Awareness Month highlights the AVIATOR Project at UCSF Imaging, where Dr. Steven Hetts and his team are working to simplify imaging for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Instead of multiple tests, patients may soon have a single MRI to assess the brain, lungs, and liver. Early results show this approach can detect even small vascular malformations, helping guide treatment and reduce radiation exposure.

Learn more about how this research could improve care for HHT patients and families: https://radiology.ucsf.edu/blog/aviator-project-ucsf-aims-simplify-hht-imaging