by Krystyna Barnard
Daniel Gochberg, PhD, and Wellington Pham, PhD, both faculty members in Vanderbilt’s Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, received 2019 Distinguished Investigator Awards from the Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research.
They were among 37 researchers inducted into the academy’s Council of Distinguished Investigators at Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting in Chicago on Dec. 3.
Bestowed on the top 10% of academic radiology faculty, the award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of imaging research.
“It is a privilege and honor to be inducted into the Academy’s Council for Distinguished Investigators,” said Pham, associate professor of Radiology. “I would like to extend my appreciation to the Department of Radiology and the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science for the leadership and support that has enabled me to explore science and collaborate with an incredible team of researchers across campus.”
“I am grateful,” said Gochberg, professor of Radiology. “The facilities, support and collaboration at the imaging institute and within radiology have made this possible since they have allowed me to focus on the science.”
To be considered for the award, researchers must have at least 25 peer-reviewed manuscripts as first or senior author and at least six years of funding as a principal investigator on a major federal research grant.
Together, they join 11 Vanderbilt radiology investigators who have previously been honored with the award.
“I would like to congratulate Drs. Gochberg and Pham on this accomplishment and welcome them to the council,” said Reed Omary, MD, MS, Carol D. and Henry P. Pendergrass Professor of Radiology and chair of the department, who co-chairs the academy’s Council of Distinguished Investigators. “Together, they are making great strides to advance imaging science. I’m excited to see what they achieve next.”
Gochberg, who joined VUMC in 2002, earned his PhD in physics and completed postdoctoral training at Yale University. His research focuses on developing novel magnetic resonance imaging methods for quantitatively characterizing biophysical properties of tissue.
Pham earned his PhD in medicinal and biological chemistry from the University of Toledo. He completed his postdoctoral training at University of California, Los Angeles and Harvard Medical School before joining VUMC in 2006. His research interests include the integration of medicinal chemistry and nanotechnology with molecular imaging for the discovery of biomarkers and molecular imaging probes.
