The Academy of Radiology Research’s State of the Science briefings are designed to give imaging researchers the chance to present their research findings to the Directors and staff of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the other federal government agencies that support imaging research. These meetings enable the Directors and staff to learn about the latest advances in imaging research in an informal and casual environment.
Each briefing includes 4-5 presentations from researchers from different institutions. These presentations each last about 20 minutes and focus on a different topic or area of research. The researchers are especially encouraged to highlight work that was funded by the agency hosting the briefing, but the presentations do not have to be limited to that area. After the presentations are over, there is a brief Q&A and discussion session between the federal agency officials and the researchers.
The Academy has found that the Directors and staff look forward to these events as a chance to talk science and learn more about imaging research. The briefings play an important role in the Academy’s mission to raise the profile of imaging research by giving researchers the opportunity to meet and network with the federal agency staff that support their work, be seen as content experts in the imaging arena, suggest imaging scientists for advisory roles with the Institutes, and help ensure that all disciplines view imaging scientists as equal partners in the research enterprise.
In 2014, the Academy held State of the Science briefings with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). More briefings are planned for 2015.
