SCCT names finalists of fourth annual Young Investigator Award

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), the leading international professional society dedicated to research, education and clinical excellence in cardiovascular computed tomography (CT), has named the finalists of the fourth annual Young Investigator Award. Sponsored by Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant, the Young Investigator Award will be awarded to two residents or fellows in either radiology or cardiology for their patient care research in the categories of technical and clinical advancement of cardiovascular CT.

“Low-Dose Phase-Correlated (LDPC) Cone-Beam Micro-CT of the Mouse Heart”

This year's five finalists for the Young Investigator Award are:

• Raman Dusaj, M.D., George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C.
  • "Estimation of Right Atrial and Ventricular Pressure by CT Coronary Angiography"
• Edward Hulten, M.D., Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
  • "Comparison of Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography Image Quality With and Without Breast Shields"
• Ian Rogers, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
  • "Comprehensive Cardiothoracic Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Acute Undifferentiated Chest Discomfort in the Emergency Department (CAPTURE) - A Randomized Controlled Diagnostic Trial"
• Stefan Sawall, M.D., University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
  • "Low-Dose Phase-Correlated (LDPC) Cone-Beam Micro-CT of the Mouse Heart"
• Thomas Smith, M.D., Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles
  • "Assessment of the Morphologic Features of Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease Using 64-slice Multidetector Computed Tomography"

An independent panel of five editorial advisors will review the submitted papers for scientific accuracy as well as originality, creativity and writing style. The five finalists will each receive a $1,000 travel stipend; complimentary registration to the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography Annual Scientific Meeting, July 15-18, 2010, at the Bellagio in Las Vegas; and a free year of membership with the SCCT. Two finalists will be awarded the Young Investigator Award at the SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting. The award winners' manuscripts will be eligible for priority peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (JCCT), and their work will be highlighted on the Annual Scientific Meeting website.

"Toshiba's support of this award over the past four years demonstrates the company's commitment to the evolving imaging industry and patient care practices," said Jack A. Ziffer, PhD, M.D., president, SCCT. "The Young Investigator Award enables talented individuals to make their mark in the medical imaging field, resulting in breakthroughs that will save lives."

"Toshiba and SCCT believe in providing opportunities for the development of radiology residents and cardiology fellows in becoming diagnostic imaging leaders of the future," said Doug Ryan, vice president, Marketing and Strategic Development, Toshiba. "Programs like the SCCT's Young Investigator Award inspire innovative approaches that improve the utilization of medical imaging and overall patient care."