We are pleased to announce the 2026-2027 CECI² class!
View the 2026-27 CECI² class announcement here.
Academy Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging (CECI²)
The Academy Council consists of a network of more than 200 imaging investigators from 50 academic research departments. The purpose of this Council is to recognize and encourage the early career achievements of researchers, engage them in advocacy for research funding, create cross institutional educational programming and facilitate diverse networking opportunities. The advocacy efforts and opportunities are led by Academy staff. A year-long virtual program is designed by the investigators themselves, who are most suited to identify what they need and how they can best benefit from Academy resources. The 2026-2027 CECI planning committee members are listed below.
Have questions about the Council or the nomination process? Reach out! You can email Olivia Nelson, onelson@acadrad.org, with any inquiries.
2026-2027 CECI2 Class Announcement
All CECI2 Events and Resources
CECI2 Directory
2026 Academy Events Summary
CECI2 Alumni Testimonials
Advocacy for Imaging feat. CECI2 Members
Hear directly from our CECI2 Members in this brief video:
Academy’s Annual Medical Imaging
Technology Showcase 2026 (MedTech26)
MedTech allows early career investigators to display hands-on, interactive, and informative examples of their research efforts to policymakers, representatives from NIH, Academy leadership, patient advocacy groups and industry.
Please view the video below for an overview of our event this year in the Rayburn Congressional House Office Building:
The CECI² Experience
“[The Academy] takes us to the background, where we see that it is actually the American people through the government, through NIH that funds us. It made me realize that it’s also our job as researchers to advocate for funding and show everyone that it is worth investing in us because that will lead to improved healthcare and better quality of life.”
Carolina de Aguiar Ferreira, PharmD, PhD
Class of 2023-24, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University
“It has been a very unique program in the sense that it offers something that I haven’t experienced before. What we’ve been taught about is advocacy and the importance of funding, and how we as researchers can impact that funding, which is something that you don’t hear anywhere else.”
Katja De Paepe, MD, PhD
Class of 2023-24, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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.
“CECI² has been an invaluable experience because of the opportunity to meet colleagues from across the country who have the same passion for research. The advocacy that the Academy and our CECI²s engage in brings a new perspective on how researchers in our position can grow and present our research for the betterment of our patients. Thank you for the Academy and CECI² for your continued support and advocacy!”
Vivek Yedavalli, MD, MS
CECI² Class of 2022, Johns Hopkins University, Co-Chair 2024-2026
“Through the CECI² program, the Academy is fostering essential connections and developing tailored professional development programming that cement the role of rising researchers in radiology and imaging sciences. Council members get the unique and empowering opportunity to perform NIH advocacy on Capitol Hill and share a ‘seat at the table’ with luminaries in the field to engage on pressing topics like AI, environmental sustainability, DEI, and more. I am proud to help shape the continued growth of this highly impactful community.”
Natasha Sheybani, PhD
CECI² Class of 2022, University of Virginia, Co-Chair 2024-2026
Academy's CECI² Virtual Programming Committee
This committee plans all virtual sessions to ensure that each session addresses the current needs of early career investigators from across all academic institutions of various size, funding and research areas.
Anton Becker, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, New York University,
CECI² Class of 2020-21
Aisling Chaney, PhD
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis,
CECI² Class of 2020-21
Devaki Shilpa Surasi, MBBS, CMQ
Associate Professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center,
CECI² Class of 2023-24
Vivek Yedavalli, MD, MS
Chief of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, CECI² Class of 2022
Benjamin Larimer, PhD
Associate Professor, Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, CECI² Class of 2020-21
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
Why nominate an early career researcher from your institution?
Academy leaders offer their perspective on the value of CECI².
2023-24 CECI² Class by Degree
2023-24 CECI² Class by Society
CECI² Advocacy Lead, Benjamin Larimer, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Advanced Medical Imaging Research, CECI² Class of 2020-21
This 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 Session Lead, Elizabeth Krupinski, PhD, Vice Chair for Research, Department of Radiology, Emory University
This position will work closely with Academy staff to organize and promote upcoming Mock Study Section Programs for the future classes 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.
The CECI² program is specifically for Academy member societies, departments and companies. Applications must come directly from the academic chair, executive director or company representative.
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:
Academy members are invited to nominate ONE early career investigator to represent their department/society/company to the Council.
Leadership:
Current CECI2 co-chairs:
Dr. Natasha Sheybani, University of Virginia, Dr. Vivek Yedavalli, Johns Hopkins University
Who do I contact with questions?
Please address questions to Renee Cruea, Executive Director at rcruea@acadrad.org.