Project Leader

Martin J. Yaffe, Ph.D. [S&W] Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre Imaging Research S657 - 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Telephone: (416) 480-5715; Fax: (416) 480-5714 Email: martin.yaffe@sw.ca URL: Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre URL: University of Toronto

• Over 20 years experience in research in mammographic imaging.
• Over 50 peer-reviewed papers in the area of medical imaging, mainly relating to breast imaging.
• Played a key role in development of digital mammography
• With NF Boyd, developed and validated methods for quantitative analysis of mammograms for risk prediction
• Developed phantoms and test methods for evaluation of medical image quality
• Chairman International Commission on Radiological Units Committee on Mammography Image Quality
• Fellow, American Association of Physicists in Medicine
• Head consultant physicist to the Ontario Breast Screening Program
• Employs group of 15 physicists, engineers and trainees funded by over $1M/yr of research grants and contracts
• Chairman Physics Subcommittee, American College of Radiology Mammographic Accreditation Program (responsible for accreditation of mammography facilities across the US)
• Sylvia Fedoruk Prize in Medical Physics. Presented at the World Congress on Medical Physics, San Antonio, TX, August, 1988.
• Advisor to the U.S. National Cancer Institute and Office of Women's Health in breast imaging technology
• Chairman MRC grant review panel in Biomedical Engineering, 1996-99
• Chairman of US Army and University of California Breast Cancer Research grants panels
• Consultant to the medical imaging industry in breast imaging (GEMS, Kodak, Agfa, Fischer Imaging)

Principal Investigators

For ease of reference, remaining investigators are listed in alphabetical order.

Norman F. Boyd, MD, DSc, FRCPC [OCI] Head, Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Behavioural Research Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital 610 University Avenue, Suite 10-406 Toronto, ON M5G 2M9 Telephone: (416) 946-2942; Fax: (416) 946-2984 Email: boyd@uhnres.utoronto.ca URL: University Health Network URL: University of Toronto

• Leads a large research group focussing on the causes and prevention of breast cancer and identification of risk factors for breast cancer
• Distinguished Scientist award, Medical Research Council of Canada, 1999-2004.
• Harold Warwick prize, National Cancer Institute of Canada, 1998.

Michael J. Bronskill, Ph.D., F.R.C.P.C. [S&W] Director, Imaging/Bioengineering Research Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre S672 - 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Telephone: 416-480-5710; Fax: 416-480-5714 Email: michael.bronskill@sw.ca URL: University of Toronto

• Director, Imaging/Bioengineering Research, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre 1990-
• Developed techniques in the 1970s with Dr. Gunes Ege, for internal mammary lymphoscintigraphy to investigate spread of breast cancer
• Expert of the MR biophysical properties of tissues, particularly breast tissues, and optimisation of MR techniques to measure these properties
• Editorial Boards: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Medical Physics, Cdn. Assoc. Radiol. J.
• Grant Review Panels; MRC Biomedical Engineering 1986-91, NCIC Panel E 1995-99
• Director IGMIT (Image Guided Minimally Invasive Therapy) Project, funded by Technology Ontario.
• Sylvia Fedoruk Prize in Medical Physics(with RM Henkelman, GJ Stanisz, JK Kim)1994
• Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine, Vice President, 1981-83, President 1984-87.
• Over 90 peer-reviewed publications

Peter N. Burns, Ph.D. [S&W] Professor, Departments of Medical Biophysics and Radiology, University of Toronto Senior Scientist, Imaging Research, Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre S660 - 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Telephone: 416-480-6826; Fax: 416-480-5714 Email: peter.burns@sw.ca URL: University of Toronto

• Senior Scientist, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre.
• Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, cross-appointed to Medical Imaging at the University of Toronto.
• More than 20 years experience in research in medical ultrasound imaging and blood flow measurement.
• Holds 3 patents in diagnostic ultrasound imaging; has published 4 books, more than 70 refereed papers and 25 book chapters.
• Specializes in Doppler techniques for the detection of blood flow. Pioneer in the development of ultrasound contrast agents for the detection of microvascular blood flow; developer of harmonic and pulse inversion imaging. Patent holder of pulse inversion imaging and Doppler, now widely commercialized in diagnostic ultrasound instruments.
• Winner of the Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology prize (for the first reported ultrasonic detection of blood flow in cancer), Roentgen Ray Award (for the best uro-radiology paper in 1992), and the World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology Pioneer Award.
• Fellow of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, serves on the editorial boards of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the Journal of Vascular Technology, as well as review panels of the MRC, the NIH, and the FDA.

Ian A. Cunningham, Ph.D., F.C.C.P.M. [RRI] Professor, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Western Ontario Imaging Research Laboratories, The John P. Robarts Research Institute 100 Perth Drive, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5K8 Telephone: 519-685-8500 X34130; Fax: 519-663-3900 Email: icunning@imaging.robarts.ca URL: The John P. Robarts Research Institute URL: University of Western Ontario

• Professor of Radiology since obtaining Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in 1987.
• Peer-reviewed funding from: Medical Research Council of Canada; The Whitaker Foundation (US); US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Breast Cancer Research Program; and The Sterling-Winthrop Imaging Research Institute.
• Associate Editor of Medical Physics.
• Winner of six first or second-place "best paper of the year" awards in medical physics in Canada and the US during the past 10 years.
• Consultant in medical imaging physics to numerous international companies and universities.
• Leader in the development of ECG gated cardiac CT.
• Leader in the development of coherent-scatter CT for material-specific imaging as demonstrated by the introduction of this new method and publication of the first images.
• Leader in the development of new theories for understanding image quality and x-ray system performance as demonstrated by the publication of 14 papers including an invited review paper, four book chapters, and numerous workshops and tutorials in Canada and the US.
• 40 papers, 29 invited addresses and 90 abstracts published in the past 10 years.

F. Stuart Foster, Ph.D. [S&W] Professor & Associate Chair, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre S658 - 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Telephone: 416-480-5716; Fax: 416-480-5714 Email: stuart.foster@sw.ca URL: University of Toronto

• Senior Scientist with Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre as well as professor and Associate Chairman of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto.
• Recipient of a Terry Fox Cancer Research Scientist Award from the National Cancer Institute of Canada and has twice won the Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology Prize.
• Distinguished lecturer of the IEEE Ultrasonics Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control Society (1995-6). He is on the editorial boards of Ultrasonic Imaging and Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology.
• Awarded the Eadie Medal by the Royal Society of Canada in 1977 for major contributions to applied science in Canada.
• Pioneered the development of the technology and clinical applications of high frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy in the eye. There are now more that 250 commercial systems based on our design around the world. More than 200,000 patients have been scanned with this instrumentation.
• Developed ultrasound biomicroscopy for imaging of the skin leading to a number of clinical papers on its use to visualize melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and psoriasis.
• Performed the first application of high frequency ultrasound to the visualization of the mouse embryo. This work showed the ability of ultrasound biomicroscopy to non-invasively detect and image genetic mutations that affect neural and cardiac mouse development.
• Introduced an innovation that allows diffraction limited imaging performance for sparsely populated linear arrays. This method is the subject of a patent and has particular relevance to the development of 2 dimensional arrays for 3D imaging.
• Introduced the first duplex pulsed and continuous wave Doppler systems for high frequency ultrasound imaging. This technology enables ultrasound to image and measure flow in the microvasculature.
• Reported the first clinical use of high frequency (40 MHz) intravascular ultrasound in human coronary arteries. He was instrumental is establishing the benefits of high frequency intravascular ultrasound and in developing the high frequency transducer technology now used in commercial products.

Donald B. Plewes, PhD [S&W] Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre Imaging Research S669 - 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Telephone: (416) 480-5709; Fax: (416) 480-5714 Email: don.plewes@sw.ca URL: Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre URL: University of Toronto

• Involved in the physics of medical imaging since 1972. Main topics of research include:
  • the physics of ionography, CT and chest equalization radiography
  • breast equalization mammography
  • the physics of MRI (hardware, fast imaging, fat suppression methods, artifacts, reconstruction techniques, )
  • the study of tissue biomechanics properties with MRI
  • the application of MRI to breast cancer detection
  • breast cancer interventional based on MRI
  • biology of thermal ablation with focused ultrasound based on MRI
  • basic ultrasound research based on MRI techniques
• Holds 11 patents in Medical Imaging with 2 applications in process.
• Developed Scanning Equalization Radiography (SER), a method for improved chest imaging.
• Project leader of the International Digital Mammography Development Group: a consortium of 5 academic and 2 industrial centres devoted to the development of digital mammography and its associated technologies.
• Received the Sylvia Fedoruk Prize in 1993 for developments in breast x-ray imaging
• Co-Director of the Consortium for Medical Imaging Science and Technology (C-MIST), a group applying to form a National Centre of Excellence in medical imaging
• Advisor to the National Cancer Institute and Office of Women's Health in breast imaging technology
• Member of the International Consortium on Breast Imaging
• Steering Committee member in the European Union Trial on Breast MRI
• Review panel member for NIH study section, NCIC Panel E, MRC
• Co-PI on the use of MRI to screen high-risk women.

Raymond Reilly, PhD [UHN] Head, Radio-Pharmacy, Nuclean Medicine Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network Eaton Wing South, 1-411, 585 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4 Telephone: 416-340-4800, Ext. 3036; Fax: 416-340-5065 Email: raymond.reilly@utoronto.ca

• Over 40 publications related to radiopharmacy, and particularly on immunological imaging.
• 16 research grants held since 1989
• Grant Review Panel Member, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 1999-present
• President, Can. Assoc. Radiopharm. Scientists 1997-1999
• Associate Editor, Can. J. Hosp. Pharm. 1993-1995
• Abbott Award for Pharmaceutical Technology, Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists 1993
• Charles E. Frosst Award in Nuclear Medical Sciences 1984
• US Patent Pending: Reilly R.M. Radiolabelled peptide ligand for Auger electron radiotherapy of cancer.

John A. Rowlands, Ph.D. [S&W] Professor, Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre S656 - 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Telephone: 416-480-5708; Fax: 416-480-5714 Email: john.rowlands@sw.ca URL: Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre URL: University of Toronto

• Championed the use of amorphous selenium as an x-ray detector for over 15 years, it is now utilized in commercial medical imagers from four major imaging companies.
• Strong independent research program in digital large area detector science and technology, pioneered the use of amorphous selenium in flat panel x-ray imagers.
• Peer-reviewed funding from the National Institutes of Health (US), US Army, the Medical Research Council of Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the National Cancer Institute of Canada.
• 35 peer reviewed papers, 17 book chapters and conference proceedings papers, and 26 abstracts published over the last 5 years resulting in 4 patents (2 issued, 2 pending).
• International stature in digital radiography demonstrated by being invited to speak at international conferences, universities, present refresher courses, advisor to industry and collaborator with international universities.
• Recognized by University Industry Synergy Award for Best Practices in Research and Development, NSERC and Conference Board of Canada, 1995 in the area of flat panel imager development.

Giles E. Santyr, PhD [Carleton] Associate Professor, Carleton University 3316 HP (Herzberg - Physics), 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Telephone: (613) 520-2600 ext 8996; Fax: (613) 520-4061 Email: giles.santyr@carleton.ca URL: Carleton Magnetic Resonance Facility

• Director, Carleton Magnetic Resonance Facility
• Pioneered spin locking techniques for MRI of breast cancer
• Expert on relaxation properties of tissue which determine contrast in MRI
• First group in Canada to use hyperpolarized noble gases as contrast agent in MRI
• 30 peer-reviewed publications, 4 patents
• Grant review panel for NIH SBIR and STTR programs (1995)
• NIH FIRST Award (US) recipient for MRI of breast cancer (1993)
• CFI New Opportunities Award (1998)
• ORDCF award (1999)

Brian Wilson [OCI] Head, Medical Physics, Ontario Cancer Institute, Princess Margaret Hospital 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9 Telephone: (416) 946-2952; Fax: (416) 946-6529 E-mail: wilson@oci.utoronto.ca URL: Ontario Cancer Institute URL: University Health Network URL: University of Toronto

• Biomedical Program Director, Photonics Research Ontario (formerly Ontario Laser and Lightwave Research Centre)
• Head of Medical Physics, Ontario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto
• National Cancer Institute of Canada, National Cancer Institute (US) on 7 Program Site Review Teams, National Institutes of Health (US); Office of Naval Research; US Army Breast Cancer Program
• Prostate Cancer Research Program, DOD (US), International Union Against Cancer
• Member, AAPM Task Group 5: Photodynamic Therapy Physics, 1999-present
• Scientific Advisory Board, Laser Biomedical Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994-98
• Ontario Health Industries Strategy Advisory Committee
• Multiple Scientific Advisory Boards: Quadra Logic Technologies Inc.: Chair, 1992-96, Mediscience Technology Corp.; Engineered Fiber Optics Systems; Xillix Technologies Corp., Chief Scientific Advisor; Biomedical Photometrics / GeneFocus Inc, Director, Chair; Global Dynamics; Cadmit Inc, Chairman,
• Associate Editor: Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, 1988?present
• Photochemistry and Photobiology, 1998-present
• Editorial Boards: Photochemistry and Photobiology, 1994-98, International Photodynamics, 1994-present, Journal of Clinical Laser Surgery & Medicine, 1996-present, Journal of Biomedical Optics, 1997-present