FULL 2022 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT AVAILABLE HERE
Level-2 CLASS OF 2022 ANNOUNCEMENT AVAILABLE HERE
CECI2 Directory
Class of 2020-21 Resources
Class of 2022 Resources
CECI2 Alumni Resources
The 2020-21 CECI² Experience
“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
“The ask me anything sessions were valuable to hear perspectives from multiple people with various backgrounds. Networking was helpful as I actually met people who offered both valuable feedback on my science and grants, but also offered solutions to specific roadblocks I had encountered; for example, I had a vital question answered by a fellow CECI², with the appropriate experience, that would've cost me thousands of dollars for a consultant to answer.”
Kiel Neumann, PhD
Assistant Professor and Director of Radiochemistry, University of Virginia
WELCOME NEW CECI² CO-CHAIRS & LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
To advance the daily efforts of this program, the Academy is pleased to announce the important addition of two new leadership positions within the Council as well as a CECI² Advisory Council.
“It was great to meet like-minded researchers at a similar stage of their career, and great to hear that we all face very similar questions with regards to ongoing projects, future funding and career planning. Moreover, it was very valuable to meet so many department chairs in a relaxed, casual setting where conversations seemed more impactful and personal. Finally, I was very interested hearing in more detail about the plans around the founding of ARPA-H, which may hold great potential for biomedical imaging research.”
Anton Becker, MD, PhD,
Director of Analytics, Body Imaging Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, CECI² Class of 2020-21
“The Academy and the CECI² program have provided me with a unique opportunity to communicate the importance of Radiology and Biomedical research and advocate for national funding. Importantly, the CECI program has immense value for enhancing training of early career investigators. Through virtual seminars and socials, I have been able to connect with and learn from researchers and leaders in the field of radiology, with discussions ranging from career and leadership skills to grant application processes. My experience as a part of the CECI² class has been invaluable for my future career in biomedical imaging.”
Aisling Chaney, PhD,
Instructor, Molecular Imaging Program, Stanford University CECI² Class of 2020-21
Academy's CECI² Advisory Council
This Committee will offer important perspectives and advice throughout the planning and execution of future CECI² class’s programing, as well as helping the Academy capitalize on our growing alumni network. The committee includes the two current Co-Chairs of this council as well as the below past council Co-Chairs.
Rebecca Rakow-Penner, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Radiology, University of California, San Diego,
CECI² Class of 2014
Jadranka Stojanovska, MD
Associate Professor, Radiology, New York University,
CECI² Class of 2014
Samuel Galgano, MD
Assistant Professor, Abdominal Imaging Section and Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics,
CECI² Class of 2018
Alexander Goehler, MD
Executive Director, Precision Medicine Imaging and AI, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge MA, CECI² Class of 2018
CECI² Advocacy Lead, Benjamin Larimer, PhD, Assistant Professor, Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research, CECI² Class of 2020-21.
This newly created position will work closely with the Academy’s Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Michael Heintz, on continued CECI² advocacy programming for the incoming class of 2022-23 and the growing network of alumni to create a strong base of advocates for imaging research. This position will help identify suitable advocacy programming or training, work with the Academy to ensure advocacy materials are appropriate for their audiences, help to enhance the visibility of the Academy’s advocacy efforts to others in the CECI² program, and provide an important perspective as a hands-on resource to those looking to engage further or in different ways in imaging research advocacy.
CECI² Mock Study Section Lead, Mariam Aboian, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, CECI² Class of 2020-21.
This new position will work closely with Academy staff to organize and promote the 2022-23 Mock Study Section Program for the 2022-23 class and the alumni of CECI². This person will directly contribute to the growing success of our Mock Study Section Program. which was established in 2020. The responsibilities of this role include planning and facilitating quarterly Mock Study Section sessions, outreach to leadership within the Academy membership to attend and participate in review sessions, promotion of quarterly sessions within CECI², and development of efficient processes for effective outcomes.
Purpose:
The Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research created the Council of Early Investigators in Imaging (CECI²) in 2014 to recognize the achievements of researchers who are in the early phases of their careers and engage them in our advocacy for research funding.
Since its establishment, the CECI² program has continued to develop and become increasingly impactful, having now reached over 130 young investigators. With a mix of both MD and PhD’s alike, early career investigators have been nominated or sponsored by Academy member departments and societies. As the program matures, our goal with its expansion is to increase opportunities to engage even more investigators from within our robust membership.
Criteria:
Nominated by the Chair or Vice Chair for Research, Executive Director of Academy Member Society or Industry Partner of the Academy, the main criteria for consideration are their potential in securing an NIH RO1 in the future (based on RSNA grants, K awards and other society awards), their status as an “early career investigator” (ESI), as per the NIH’s definition, and by illustrating clearly their interest in the mission of the Academy.
Process: Updated Two Level Program Details
As of March 1, 2022 LEVEL 1 CECI² NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSED. Academy members were invited to nominate ONE early career investigator to represent their department/society/company to this Council’s Class of 2022-23.
FOR REFERENCE: CECI² 2022 NOMINATION FORM
Level 1 will engage participants in a digital setting through a variety of webinars, discussions, and workshops focused on topics such as advocacy, NIH funding, mock study section participation, grant applications, resubmissions, career development, and other issues important to early career researchers. Leaders and innovators from across the Academy’s unique membership will facilitate and lead these virtual discussions in a small group environment. The Academy estimates that Level 1 programming will last six to eight months.
Virtual sessions from the 2020-21 program included;
- “The Importance of Advocacy: An Academy Introduction” with Academy staff including Executive Director Renee Cruea and Senior Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Initiatives Michael Heintz
- “Grant Funding Myth Busters” with Dr. Elizabeth Krupinski, Academy Distinguished Investigators Co-Chair
- A discussion focused on “Career Trajectory” with Dr. Hedvig Hricak, Academy CIBR Chair
- “Working with Constituents to Advance Biomedical Research” with Aisling McDonough, Legislative Assistant on Health Issues for Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
- “A Chat with NIBIB’s Founding Father” with Dr. Roderic Pettigrew, founding Director of NIBIB
Level 2 will include invited participants from Level 1, and offer the opportunity to be sponsored by their society or academic department for the Annual Medical Imaging Technology Showcase, Congressional Events, and NIH Meetings, including but not limited to:
- Visit to the NIH Campus, to include meetings with NIH Program Officers and Program Staff
- Academy’s Annual Capitol Hill Fly-in Day, to include meetings with the investigator’s Members of Congress
- Annual Medical Imaging Technology Showcase on Capitol Hill, to include a unique research display from each investigator
In order to be considered for Level 2, investigators will need to meet a number of benchmarks associated with their Level 1 participation. These criteria will ensure that investigators sponsored to attend the in-person opportunities were highly engaged and motivated throughout the virtual programming. For 2022, more information on Level 2 will be forthcoming, as all in-person programming is dependent upon COVID-19.
Leadership:
Current CECI2 co-chairs:
Dr. Anton Becker, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Asiling Chaney, Stanford University
Who do I contact with questions?
Please address questions to Renee Cruea, Executive Director at rcruea@acadrad.org or Casey Cappelletti, Director of Communications & Special Events, ccappelletti@acadrad.org