CECI2 Directory
Class of 2020-21 Resources
Class of 2022 Resources
CECI2 Alumni Resources
Why nominate an early career researcher from your institution?
Academy leaders offer their perspective on the value of CECI².
The 2022-23 CECI² Experience
"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, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
“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
CECI² CO-CHAIRS & LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
To advance the daily efforts of this program, the Academy announced the important addition of two new leadership positions within the Council as well as a CECI² Advisory Council in 2021.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic these last 3 years, the Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging has remained an engaged and highly invested group for the Academy. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to continue advancing the priorities of early career researchers while training the next cohort of NIH advocates.”
Anton Becker, MD, PhD,
CECI² Class of 2020-21, New York University
“As the Academy’s CECI² continues to expand in its membership, it must also expand its scope of work. With the establishment of the Collective to Support & Connect Women in Radiology & Imaging, the Academy continues to implement unique and key opportunities for early-career investigators. The purpose of this initiative is to create unique, organic, and impactful programming that will serve as a foundation to build an active and connected community of women, something those of us in the early-career phase could benefit from immensely.”
Aisling Chaney, PhD,
CECI² Class of 2020-21, Washington University, St. Louis
Academy's CECI² Advisory Council
This Committee offers 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 Career 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 180 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
On August 15, 2023 Academy members are invited to nominate ONE early career investigator to represent their department/society/company to this Council’s Class of 2023-24.
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, New York University, Dr. Aisling Chaney, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis
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 Programs, ccappelletti@acadrad.org