About the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford

The Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS) was established as an inter-disciplinary program in 2003 by the Dean of the School of Medicine (Dr. Philip Pizzo) and brings together scientists and physicians who share a common interest in developing and using state-of-the-art imaging technology and developing molecular imaging assays for studying intact biological systems. The inaugural director was Dr. Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, Virginia & D.K. Ludwig Professor of Cancer Research and Chair of the Department of Radiology from 2003 to 2020.

Leadership

Division Chief, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford

Katherine Ferrara, PhD
Professor of Radiology

Deputy Director, Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford

Jason Thanh Lee, PhD
Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford
Department of Radiology

MIPS is situated in the heart of the Biomedical Sciences section of the Stanford campus with easy access and parking (see Directions) for visitors. Nearly 300 people currently work in the Program. There are thirty-five full members, eighteen associate members and a large number of visiting faculty & scholars, research scientists, post doctoral fellows, research associates, graduate & undergraduate students.

Research

The MIPS Program has five key research areas focusing on:

  • synthesis and validation of radiolabeled and fluorescent molecular probes for molecular imaging
  • development of molecular imaging instrumentation for living subjects
  • development of molecular imaging approaches/assays for interrogating cellular events in living subjects
  • development of software tools for visualization and analysis of molecular imaging data
  • merger of therapeutics and imaging strategies for improved patient management

Funding for the Program's research activities come from a mix of Federal (National Institutes of Health and Department of Energy), Foundation and University sources, as well as through a number of collaborations with Industry.

Education

The Program attracts graduate students from a wide range of programs including Molecular Pharmacology, Cell/Molecular Biology, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Bio-Engineering.

Small Animal Imaging Facilities

The Program runs several state-of-the-art imaging facilities within the Clark Center Stanford Center for Innovation in In vivo Imaging (SCi3) service centers including positron emission tomography (microPET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), single photon emission tomography (SPECT), optical (e.g. bioluminescence, fluorescence), ultrasound, photoacoustic imaging, and magnetic particle imaging (MPI).

General

MIPS is situated in the heart of the Biomedical Sciences section of the Stanford campus with easy access and parking (see Directions) for visitors. Nearly 300 people currently work in the Program. There are nearly forty full faculty membersmany other associate faculty members, and a large number of visiting faculty & scholars, research scientists, post doctoral fellows, research associates, graduate & undergraduate students.