About This Program

Overview

The Center for Research and Innovation in Abdominal Imaging (CRIA) at MGH performs clinical and translational research with the use of top-of-the-line technology and decision support to advance healthcare practices and better patient care.

The Center operates within the Abdominal Imaging Division at MGH to consolidate the research performed by our renowned faculty members. Our expert investigators conduct research on a range of imaging modalities using the latest technologies, including Photon Counting CT, Dual-Energy CT, CT Perfusion, and PET-MRI. The research conducted at the Center seeks to answer a variety of clinical questions related to the different abdominal organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, liver and prostate. Oncological research also constitutes a large portion of the research performed at the Center. This includes investigating imaging biomarkers and advancements in screening, staging and response assessment techniques. In addition to leading research investigations, the center aims to foster and develop the next generation of researchers through the support and mentorship of our junior faculty, trainees and clinical and research fellows.

 

Group Members

Director


Advisory Board


Abdominal Imaging Faculty


Postdoctoral Research Fellows

Soumyadeep Ghosh, MD

Email: sghosh18@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Asansol, India
Graduate Education: MBBS from Nilratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, India; Radiology Residency from PD Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Center, Mumbai, India
Current Projects & Research: Soumyadeep collaborates with the Center of Research and Innovation in Abdominal Imaging (CRIA) faculty on their research projects. He is presently conducting abdominal imaging research in several areas, including performing image quality assessments, and investigating the role of imaging in patients with endometrioma. He also aims to investigate the use of artificial intelligence and deep learning reconstruction algorithm in MRI for prostate cancer detection.

Jinjin Cao, MD

Email: jcao11@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Anhui province, China
Graduate Education: MD from Anhui Medical University, M.S. from Peking University
Current Projects & Research: Jinjin conducts research on the imaging quality and diagnostic capability of the latest advancements in CT imaging. Her current projects are Deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm in DECT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, Spectral CT in Abdominal and Oncologic Imaging Practice.

Mina Hesami, MD

Email: mhesami@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Qeshm Island, Iran
Graduate Education: MD from Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Current Projects & Research: Mina currently works on technical and methodological improvements of whole-body PET/MR. The primary outcome of her research is to improve the quality of MR and PET images, patient comfort, and shorten the acquisition time. She also works on the retrospective correlation of PET/MR with clinical features in oncology patients. In this project, she investigates if the staging performance achieved by combining information from PET and MR is more accurate than the staging performance achieved by PET alone, MR alone, CT, PET/CT, and US in patients affected by solid organ neoplasms, especially of the abdomen.

Nabih Nakrour, MD

Email: nnakrour1@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Homs, Syria
Graduate Education: MD from Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria
Current Projects & Research: Nabih works on projects that revolve around the innovative use of abdominal MRI to implement new techniques in liver and kidney imaging to help clinicians and limit the patients’ burden from current methods of diagnosis. He also aims to investigate the use of artificial intelligence in MRI for prostate cancer detection and follow-up.

Nikitha Uma Baskaran, MD

Email: numabaskaran@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Singapore
Graduate Education: MBBS from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
Current Projects & Research: Nikitha’s research focus is primarily on utilizing CT and MRI imaging modalities in studying various Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary pathologies.

Priyanka Prajapati, MD

Email: pprajapati2@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Kashipur, India
Graduate Education: MBBS from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi
Current Projects & Research: Priyanka's research is focused on the innovative use of MRI for various abdominal pathologies. She also aims to investigate the use of artificial intelligence and deep learning reconstruction algorithm in MRI for prostate cancer detection and follow-up.

Luigi Asmundo, MD

Email: lasmundo@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Milano, Italy
Graduate Education: MD from University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Current Projects & Research: Luigi works on projects that revolve around the innovative use of abdominal MRI and PET/MRI to implement new techniques in oncological imaging to help clinicians and limit the patients’ burden from current methods of diagnosis. He also aims to investigate the use of artificial intelligence in MRI to improve acquisition protocols.

Shravya Srinivas Rao, MD

Email: ssrinivasrao@mgh.harvard.edu
Hometown: Bangalore, India
Graduate Education: MBBS from BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, India; Radiology Residency from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India
Current Projects & Research: Shravya is currently engaged in research involving the utilization of CT and MRI techniques for imaging pancreatic cancer and bowel pathologies.



Prior Postdoctoral Research Fellows

  • Nayla Mroueh, MD
  • Felipe Furtado, MD
  • Álvaro Badenes Romero, MD
  • Sasiprang Konboonvijit, MD (Fern)

Prior Research Intern

  • Lauren Glupe