Toshiba America Medical Systems/RSNA issues grant to three researchers

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research & Education (R&E) Foundation awarded 2010 Toshiba America Medical Systems/RSNA grants to Kenneth S. Lee, M.D., Nitin Ohri, M.D., and Ben Paxton, M.D. The grants are made possible by Toshiba's support of the RSNA R&E Foundation.

“In addition, our commitment to education ensures the development of tomorrow's workforce.”

The Toshiba America Medical Systems/RSNA Research Seed Grant enables investigators to test hypotheses and conduct feasibility studies en route to major trials. These pilot phases of projects are critical to the development of applications for funding from major corporate and federal sources. The grant award is up to $40,000 for a one-year study.

Kenneth S. Lee, M.D., University of Wisconsin, was awarded the Seed Grant and will look to find a more effective treatment option for moderate to severe chronic plantar fasciitis. His study will evaluate acoustoelastography as a way to measure the healing changes and outcomes of platelet-rich plasma injections in order to improve patient care.

The Toshiba America Medical Systems/RSNA Research Resident Grant is designed to give residents an opportunity to gain insight into a research career by providing dedicated time for research projects. The grant award is $30,000 for a one-year study. Dr. Ohri and Dr. Paxton received the Research Resident Grant.

Nitin Ohri, M.D., Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, will use his grant to characterize the FDG-PET response patterns of non-small cell lung cancer tumors after chemoradiotherapy. Ben Paxton, M.D., Duke University Medical Center, will further develop a minimally invasive, image-guided intervention for treatment of morbid obesity by utilizing an innovative and novel percutaneous endovascular procedure.

The RSNA R&E Foundation is awarding a total of 71 grants in 2010, valued at $2.25 million. "The R&E Foundation is proud to take a leadership role in funding grant awards to young investigators. We recognize the critical link between today's research and tomorrow's practice," said Jack E. Price, chair of the R&E Foundation Board of Trustees. "In addition, our commitment to education ensures the development of tomorrow's workforce."