Jonathan Thiessen Colloquium

Fri. Nov. 29 12:30 PM - Fri. Nov. 29 01:20 PM
Location: 3M69

In the Nuclei of the Storm: My Journey (Thus Far) in Imaging Physics

Nuclei that are either radioactive or have a non-zero spin are the foundation of medical imaging modalities that include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Nuclear imaging has enabled an explosion of anatomical, functional, cellular, and molecular information that can be non-invasively measured in the body. In medicine, nuclear imaging plays an important role in helping us understand, diagnose, and treat disease. If you get bored with one modality on its own, hybrid imaging systems such as SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and PET/MRI can sequentially or simultaneously acquire complementary imaging datasets. I will present an overview of my research journey (thus far), with a focus on PET/MRI technology development and selected PET/MRI applications in the brain and cancer. Finally, I will present briefly on the combination of targeted diagnostic imaging and therapies (AKA theranostics) that will be a significant driving force for the future of nuclear imaging and precision medicine.

Bio: Jonathan is a Nuclear Medicine Imaging Physicist at CancerCare Manitoba and Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Manitoba. Previously, he was the PET/MRI Scientific Director at the Lawson Health Research Institute and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Medical Biophysics and Medical Imaging at Western University. He completed a PhD under the tutelage of Dr. Melanie Martin (MRI!) and Postdoctoral Fellowship with Dr. Andrew Goertzen (PET/MRI!). Alongside his new clinical physics position, he continues to be actively involved in PET/MRI technology development and applications of PET/MRI in cardiac disease, cancer, and the brain. Jonathan’s greatest accomplishment in life is as a father to three daughters. His second greatest accomplishment is completing his PhD with newborn twins at home. He is still recovering.

For a Zoom invitation to this event, email: an.wiebe@uwinnipeg.ca