Radiology Research Faculty
 

John Mugler III, Ph.D.

Professor of Radiology and
Biomedical Engineering

Box 801339
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22908

 Mugler

e-mail: jpm7r@virginia.edu

  

Education:

B.S., University of Virginia, 1980

M.S., Stanford University, 1981

Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1988

 

Research Interests:

Our research focuses on the development and optimization of magnetic resonance imaging techniques, particularly those for rapid and three-dimensional imaging, drawing on a variety of physics and engineering principles, with a strong emphasis on theoretical modeling and simulation and on practical implementation and evaluation. Currently, our major focuses include high-resolution 3-D imaging of the brain using conventional proton-based methods and imaging and spectroscopy of the lung using hyperpolarized helium- and xenon-based methods. The comprehensive, high-resolution coverage accomplished with the techniques under development for 3-D brain imaging will provide more complete descriptions of pathological components of brain diseases, higher probabilities of detecting focal abnormalities, and more accurate quantitative evaluations of the extent of lesions. Hyperpolarized helium and xenon represent new MR-based contrast agents that are particularly well suited for imaging air spaces such as those in the lungs. This methodology provides high-resolution detailed images of the lungs that are far superior in quality to any existing clinical imaging methods.

 

Current Projects:

  • Development of spin echo-based, single-slab techniques for producing three dimensional magnetic resonance images of the human brain.
  • Development of fast and ultra-fast imaging with hyperpolarized gases.
  • Diverse studies of lung anatomy and physiology using hyperpolarized He-3, Xe-129 imaging and spectroscopy in animal models.

Recent and Representative Publications:

Salerno M, Altes TA, Brookeman JR, de Lange EE, Mugler III JP. Dynamic spiral MR imaging of pulmonary gas flow using hyperpolarized 3He: Preliminary studies in healthy and diseased lungs. Magn Reson Med 2002 (in Press).

Salerno M, de Lange EE, Altes TA, Truwit JD, Brookeman JR, Mugler III JP.Hyperpolarized 3He diffusion MRI of the lungs in emphysema: Comparison with pulmonary function tests --Initial experience. Radiology 2002; 222:252-260.