RSNA R&E Foundation Awards $3.6 Million in Grants for 2015

OAK BROOK, Ill. (July 8, 2015) – The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Research and Education (R&E) Foundation will fund 92 grants totaling $3.6 million in 2015.

The R&E Foundation plays a unique role in the future of medicine by supporting investigators who will place radiology at the center of medical research, leading collaborative efforts across specialties.

"The RSNA R&E Foundation remains zealously committed to the development and support of radiologists and their pursuit of careers in imaging research and education," said Burton P. Drayer, M.D., R&E Foundation chair. "This is reflected in the Board of Trustees' generous approval of $3.6 million in funding for 92 grant awards this year. The 2015 recipients represent the future of radiology, and their inspiring research and education initiatives will continue to move the specialty forward and drive medical research."

R&E Foundation grants not only serve the individual recipients and their institutions, they benefit radiology as a whole. The research and educational initiatives funded by the Foundation today lay the groundwork for the discoveries, tools and techniques that advance radiologic practice in the years to come.

Hailing from 47 different institutions across North and America, with one international recipient from India, the 2015 recipients will engage in research on a wide range of projects, including the use of dual energy cardiac CT for improved identification and quantification of myocardial scarring in patients with cardiac disease and the exploration of the effectiveness of MRI thermography-guided laser ablation for treating head and neck tumors in patients who are not candidates for radiation or open surgery.

The R&E Foundation leads the specialty in funding radiologic research and educational initiatives. Since 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $47 million to over 1,200 investigators and educators. The Foundation maintains an impressive funding rate of 25 percent.

Grants provided by the R&E Foundation serve as seed grants to launch careers and provide a pathway to subsequent funding. Every dollar awarded by the Foundation results in more than $40 of additional funding received as principal or co-investigator by sources including the National Institutes of Health, corporations and private foundations.

"The R&E Foundation is profoundly grateful for the generous investment made by our individual, private practice and corporate donors for their commitment to funding research and education initiatives pursued by these inspiring R&E grant recipients," Dr. Drayer said.