New Cincinnati Imaging Center Looks to to Accelerate MRI Innovation

May 27, 2026 — Nearly two years after announcing plans for a “real-world” academic-industrial collaboration, GE HealthCare, University of Cincinnati, UC Health, Cincinnati Children’s and JobsOhio officially opened the new Imaging Research & Development Center on UC’s medical campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 27.

The facility brings together academic researchers, clinicians and GE HealthCare scientists to accelerate the development of next-generation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies. The goal is improving patient care, advancing clinical research and expanding access to imaging.

“Ohio's hospitals, academic institutions and life sciences companies are among the best in the world, and by working together, they will advance the next generation of healthcare,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “As a result of this unique and powerful partnership, Cincinnati will play an integral role in cutting-edge MRI research and development that will have wide-reaching impacts here in Ohio and across the world.”

The facility is equipped with a GE HealthCare SIGNA Premier 3T wide-bore MRI scanner. It is one of only a handful of centers worldwide with the technology that aims to foster direct collaboration between academia and industry in a shared imaging research environment.

“At GE HealthCare, we believe collaboration is a powerful way to unite industry and academic expertise and accelerate the translation of MRI innovation into clinical reality,” said Kelly Londy, President & CEO, MR and Women’s Health at GE HealthCare. “With the capabilities of SIGNA Premier 3T helping drive exciting new MRI research here, we have an opportunity to ultimately deliver better outcomes for patients.”

Advancing MRI

The center builds on Ohio’s growing leadership in healthcare innovation and imaging technology, including GE HealthCare’s longstanding MRI manufacturing and R&D presence in Aurora, Ohio, where the company develops and manufactures its AIR MRI coil technology.

Research at the new facility is expected to focus on advancing MRI hardware, software and imaging techniques to help improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance patient comfort and support personalized care. Researchers and clinicians will collaborate on projects ranging from investigator-initiated studies and pilot programs to large-scale national and international clinical trials.

“Part of Ohio’s unique value proposition is the combined strength of our institutions, and the opening of the Imaging Research & Development Center demonstrates the real-world success of that collaboration,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Industrial and academic partners across the state are executing a shared vision of innovation and growth, which is why Ohio is building the future of medicine.”

The facility also will support the development of emerging imaging approaches, including glymphatic imaging and advanced quantitative MRI methods, to improve the monitoring of neurological and liver diseases while enabling more non-invasive and personalized patient care.

“The official opening of the Imaging Research & Development Center marks a monumental step forward in our ability to drive groundbreaking medical discovery on our campus," said Gregory Postel, MD, FACR, dean of the College of Medicine, Christian R. Holmes professor, executive vice president for health affairs at UC and chair of the UC Health Board of Directors. “This collaboration — an intersection of industry and academic medicine — gives our faculty and physician-scientists the cutting-edge tools necessary to advance imaging science, push the boundaries of clinical discovery and train the next generation of leaders in health innovation.”

The Imaging Research & Development Center is expected to contribute to workforce development by creating opportunities for clinicians, researchers, engineers and technologists, who will collaborate in an environment that bridges healthcare delivery and industry-led R&D.

“As the leader in improving child health, research and discovery are critical to our ability to continue to serve patients, families and communities,” said Cincinnati Children’s Chief Operating Officer Dr. Evaline Alessandrini. “We greatly value the partnerships we have with the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, which enable us to work together to leverage the federal dollars that come to our region to drive innovation together.”

The collaboration of world-class institutions within Ohio’s Discovery Corridor aligns with broader efforts to strengthen and expand Ohio’s position as a national hub for healthcare research and life sciences innovation.

“This announcement highlights Cincinnati’s leadership in healthcare innovation through the strategic partnership among a nationally recognized pediatric hospital, a leading research university health system, and a global medical technology leader,” said Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati. “Thank you to GE HealthCare for putting your trust in our region, providing new opportunities to expand access to cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatment options for patients and families in our community and around the world.”