“It is a rare platform to bring experienced investigators from across the country together with early career investigators in an intimate enough setting to really foster communication and collaboration. Talking with investigators, early-career to senior, from such a diverse group of departments was incredibly valuable. I came away with a better understanding of what physicists can do to support radiologists in the clinic and in research and made some career-long connections.”
Megan Jacobsen, PhD
Class of 2022-23, Assistant Professor, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center

“The unique and wonderful opportunity to experience and witness first-hand what medical advocacy consists of, as well as its impact. I am so grateful for this experience that not only educated my perspectives on advocacy, but also led to some amazing networking with professional colleagues and future mentors.”
Bhavika Patel, MD
CECI² Class of 2022-23, Associate Professor, Mayo Clinic

“The Academy is an extremely energized organization working relentlessly for the betterment of biomedical and imaging research. Research which would in turn help countless patients as well as the healthcare industry in general. This unique mission, combined with their dedicated council programming, motivated me to do more advocacy work of my own, with the goal of moving the needle for imaging research funding.”
Janardhana Ponnatapura, MD
CECI² Class of 2022-23, Wake Forest University

“While I suspected that interacting with senior members of the Academy would be of high value, I could not have anticipated the level of impact that my classmates would have on my thought processes and career path. Though we've never met in person, [co-CECI²] Jana Ivanidze and I have collaborated by twitter, email, text, phone and even RSNA podcast over the past year and a half. We've encouraged each other to keep submitting grant applications, apply for positions and write papers. I'm incredibly grateful for this peer mentorship that I've received.”
Ashley Elizabeth Prosper, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Section Chief of Cardiothoracic Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles

“I feel really lucky to be a part of the Academy such an outstanding group. It is the only place where I can interact in smaller groups with leaders in Nuclear Medicine in order to discuss future directions in the field, career development, and our role as scientists interacting with government to guide science policy and funding. I have learned as much valuable career information from this group as I have from any scientific meeting that I attend.”
Benjamin M. Larimer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research
University at Alabama at Birmingham,
Department of Radiology School of Medicine

“The Academy and the CECI² program has been incredibly beneficial in just the short time I have been a member. It brings together researchers from across the country and creates an environment that allows for collaboration and engagement unlike anything I have ever been a part of before. Numerous participants this year are focused on radiopharmaceuticals and by creating an environment where our future research leaders can interact will benefit both the individuals and the SNMMI for decades to come”.
Rustain Morgan, MD
Assistant Professor,
Nuclear Radiology Program Director - Diagnostic Radiology Residency
University of Colorado Department of Radiology

“The Academy has great value in advocating for more research funding and representing the community to decision makers. We were only one of many organizations advocating on Capitol Hill that day. Without an organization such as the Academy, we would not be represented.”
Steven H. Baete, PhD
NYU/Langone Health

“The events throughout this opportunity, including the NIH visit and meetings on Capitol Hill, helped to unveil how the NIH gets funding from the federal government, and how that funding is distributed to scientists and researchers across the U.S. I now have a greater understanding of the mechanisms in place for new and early career investigators. I also found substantial value in the networking and social activities with both my fellow council member colleagues as well as the industry and academic leaders.”
Erin k. Englund, PhD
University of California, San Diego
Sponsored by ISMRM

“It has been an experience like nothing I have ever had, which made for strong (I think) personal growth. I was able to go to the famed NIH and speak with a DIRECTOR! And meet with my Congress people on their turf, which provided perspective. I met some really smart and motivated radiology researchers and am about to begin a new project with one.”
Lesley Flynt, MD
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Sponsored by SNMMI

“The Academy events in DC showed me how to channel my passion for research into advocacy efforts to improve research funding, which are critical to supporting the next generation of imaging scientists. The Academy has empowered us to continue the dialogue between early career investigators, leaders at NIH and members of Congress to support the development of cutting-edge technology that will ultimately advance patient care. I am very grateful to the RSNA and the Academy for their continued support of early career investigators, enabling us to play a key role in sustaining the funding and talent pool that will support continued growth and collaboration between radiologists and imaging researchers.”
Susie Huang, MD
Mass General Hospital
Sponsored by RSNA

“It was critical to see the impact of legislators on our research funding, which serves as the lifeblood of academic radiology department innovation. Being able to do our part was also important to help see the work that has gone before us to provide us with the research advancements and opportunities in the field. The Academy provides the leverage for the research efforts in radiology to communicate our value and importance to funding decision makers. Serving as the voice for advancements in the field, it helps to bring scientists and physicians out of the labs and into the presence of leaders who have a profound impact on the future of the field. We hope that these legislators recognize the importance of our collective work and the potential for impact on the health and lives of their constituents.”
Yueh (Ray) Lee, MD, PhD
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

“I experienced things that were never part of medical training to become a successful clinical scientist, not only did this experience increase the awareness for research opportunities, but also built lifelong relationships. The Academy, by providing these opportunities to young investigators is doing a great service both for exposure and advocacy for imaging based research. Both are very novel and unique goals.”
Prashant Nagpal, MD
University of Iowa

“Meeting policy makers on Capitol Hill helped me understand the processes involved in governmental decision-making and how this helps deliver the needs of our healthcare system. It has also provided me the unique opportunity to emphasize the critical impact research has on patient care and community health to government officials and policy makers. In addition, meeting with leaders of NIH centers and the program officers helped me solicit advice on my future grant applications. As an early career investigator, discussion of potential grant proposal opportunities, understanding the review process, and the research goals of NIH centers substantially helps with my grant applications.”
Sam Payabvash, MD
Yale University

“Meeting other members of the radiology research community in a relatively small setting is very valuable to me. Since the Academy event, I have attended ISMRM, and it was great to see familiar faces and further strengthen those relationships. The Academy also helped me realize other aspects of the role of scientists in our society. In addition to the need of our involvement in advocating for the distribution of resources to fund not only our work, but general scientific advancement.”
Ana Rodriguez-Soto, PhD
University of California, San Diego

“I believe that the Academy does a tremendous job advocating for radiology and imaging technologies as well as supporting young and established investigators. One of the biggest problems for me as an early career investigator, is a lack of knowledge and exposure to the opportunities provided by the NIH. Learning about the available NIH opportunities, as well as meeting other investigators and thought leaders in our field is of tremendous importance in my early career development as a clinician investigator.”
Anna Trofimova, MD, PhD
Emory University

“Being a CECI² awardee offered an incredible opportunity for me to meet new potential collaborators in my career as a neuro interventional radiologist and learn ways of helping advance imaging science. The landscape of federal funding and policy can be extremely daunting, but this experience lifted the veil on the workings of government, as we met with policymakers and their staffs. It was also a fantastic opportunity to discuss grant proposals with NIH faculty familiar with the grant process.”
Dr. Matthew David Alexander, MD
University of Utah

“I am excited to serve as a co-chair in the CECI² Council and help the Academy with their tireless advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. Research has been a key part of my career thus far, and it is only through continued advocating for NIH funding that this is possible. I hope to bring the same awareness and inspiration to other Early Career Investigators through the Academy and its leadership.”
Samuel J. Galgano, MD
University of Alabama, Birmingham
Co-Chair, Academy Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging

“A highlight of the multiple-day event was meeting and getting to know the other fellow Early Career Investigators in Imaging as well as the Academy’s leadership and staff. The entire crowd clicked immediately making the few days not only useful for career development but also a lot of fun.”

Dr. Michal Horný, PhD, MSc
Emory University

“I am currently starting the second year of my NIH K99/R00 award, so I know that as scientists we often focus on advancing our respective research areas, and neglect educating the general public about our work and its impact on healthcare, which is such a lost opportunity. That is why it was wonderful to be part of the meaningful work of the Academy, gaining understanding of research advocacy and developing partnerships with policymakers, NIH program officers, industry members in the imaging industry, and patient advocacy groups. I found the whole experience to be incredibly beneficial.”
Dr. Feliks Kogan, PhD
Stanford University

“Bringing together Early Career Investigators in Imaging, who have been recognized by their academic department Chairs as having high potential to make an impact in radiological science, has been critical to their expanding of networks, learning from senior mentors, and meeting industry leaders. It has also helped these academics become more familiar with the NIH grant application process and all the hard-working individuals at NIH.
It is a perfect setting to facilitate learning and new collaborations. I know it will benefit these CECI²s, just as it has benefited me. Having this mentorship outside of my own institution has helped me to see ways that I can make a difference.”
Dr. Rebecca Rakow-Penner, MD, PhD
University of California San Diego
Former Co-Chair, Academy Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging

“Learning to prepare and deliver a scientific presentation for a lay audience was very informative and allowed us to learn critical skills in scientific communication. As a junior investigator, it is critical for us to learn how to accurately communicate our scientific goals and progress without getting bogged down in jargon. This is especially important if your audience is a non-medical/scientific one. The Academy did a wonderful job in coordinating our visits to the NIH, where we had really insightful one-on-one conversations with contacts at different ICs. I am currently preparing my next round of NIH applications and hope to put all that I learned from the CECI² experience into action”
Dr. Mark S. Shiroishi, MD
University of Southern California