Dartmouth Advanced Imaging Center

The Dartmouth Advanced Imaging Center investigates new developments in cardiovascular, brain and cancer imaging, alternative modalities, and image-guided interventions. Under the aegis of a steering committee of major stake holders, the Center is designed as a focal point of integration for many imaging research programs at DHMC and the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth.

The Center contains 12,000 square feet of expandable space dedicated to research and development of advanced medical imaging. Modalities include a new whole body 3.0 Tesla MRI Philips magnetic resonance imaging system, and hybrid MRI-Near Infrared imaging, with micro-imaging capabilities. In addition, the Center will conduct electron paramagnetic resonance imaging, both whole-body and micro, in animals and humans, and researchers can utilize clinical Radiology equipment (including the fast 64-slice multidetector cardiac CT, PET/CT, 3D ultrasound, and others).

The Center applies multi-disciplinary teams to problems in cardiovascular imaging as well as cancer, brain, and breast imaging, with the goal of moving innovations from the bench to the patient as rapidly as possible. Specific targets include hybrid imaging (NIR-MR and MR elastography), novel contrast agents for very early detection, fMRI brain activation studies for early management of Alzheimer's and other diseases, and accurate image-based treatment guidance for heart disease and cancer.

The Advanced Imaging Center is directed by Dr. Keith D. Paulsen, who holds the Robert A. Priztker Chair in Biomedical Engineering and currently holds joint appointments as Professor of  Engineering Sciences at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering and Professor of Radiology in the Dartmouth Medical School.  Dr. Paulsen is also Co-Director of the Cancer Imaging and Radiobiology Research Program within the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.  Dr Paulsen maintains an active research program with funding from the NIH that is currently focused on the development and evaluation of imaging methods for diagnostic and therapeutic clinical decision-making in the identification and management of cancers, primarily of the breast and brain.