Researchers Awarded 2020 Bracco Diagnostics Inc./RSNA Research Grants

November 3, 2020 — The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research & Education (R&E) Foundation awarded the 2020 Bracco Diagnostics Inc./RSNA Research Scholar Grant to Brent D. Weinberg, M.D., Ph.D., and the 2020 Bracco Diagnostics Inc./RSNA Research Resident Grant to Evan DC Calabrese, M.D., Ph.D. These grants are made possible by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.’s support of the RSNA R&E Foundation.

The Bracco Diagnostics Inc./RSNA Research Scholar Grant is designed for emerging leaders in radiology research. This career development award facilitates the transition of young faculty into independent investigators and prepares them for NIH funding. The grant award is $75,000 per year for a two-year study.

Brent D. Weinberg, M.D., Ph.D., Emory University, with scientific advisor Hyunsuk Shim, Ph.D., will investigate the use of automated quantitative tools to objectively apply structured follow-up criteria to longitudinal MRI follow-up for brain tumor patients. The principles developed with this grant will be used to deploy automated tools to guide clinical decision making in brain tumor patients and improve reliability of clinical trials in detecting differences between treatment groups.

The Bracco Diagnostics Inc./RSNA Research Resident Grant provides $30,000 for one year to a top resident to devote 50% of their time for a research project under the guidance of a scientific advisor. Through this project, residents can learn about scientific investigation and develop competence in research techniques.

Evan DC Calabrese, M.D., Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco, will investigate the use of deep learning and radiomics-based MR image features for automated prediction of two diffuse glioma genetic biomarkers: EGFR amplification and CDKN2 loss. The results of this work could potentially improve clinical care by providing more accurate prognostic information and facilitating the deployment of emerging targeted therapies to a broader patient population.

In 2020, the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees approved over $4 million in grant funding directed to 47 institutions. “By generously supporting the research and education efforts of the 2020 grant recipients, Bracco Diagnostics Inc. joins with the R&E Foundation in advancing innovation and discovery that will ultimately translate into improved outcomes and patient care. The Board of Trustees expresses its deepest appreciation for Bracco Diagnostic Inc’s. commitment to our Foundation and is grateful for this critical, collaborative support during this unparalleled time for our specialty,” said Thomas M. Grist, M.D., Chair of the RSNA R&E Foundation Board of Trustees.

For more information: www.rsna.org