My clinical sub-specialty within the field of diagnostic radiology is breast imaging. This
specialty is at a unique crossroads between technology and patient care. In practice, I
have the privilege of providing care for patients through the course of their imaging
workup: identifying an abnormality in an asymptomatic patient at annual screening,
counseling the patient at the time to diagnostic workup, acquiring tissue for diagnosis,
and following response to therapy. These direct interactions with patients are crucial
in identifying clinically relevant scientific questions and solutions which can be
translated into practice.
Breast cancer screening programs are effective because they provide the opportunity
for effective treatment at an early stage of disease when prognosis remains excellent.
Breast imaging as a specialty within radiology is unique in the direct and immediate
impact that image quality and accurate interpretation can have on decreasing
morbidity and mortality.
My research interests lie not only in developing effective imaging technologies for
early and accurate detection of breast cancer, but also in minimally-invasive, imageguided
treatments that can reduce the morbidity associated with currently available
surgical and oncologic therapies.
