The Department of Radiology at Wake Forest School of Medicine is committed to maintaining the highest standards in research.
The department demonstrates this through our support of research initiatives, collaborating with other research programs focused on image analysis across neurosciences, oncology and cardiothoracic research.
Additionally, there is a strong tradition of research in both our radiology fellowship and residency programs. Fellows and residents are encouraged to participate in ongoing research as part of their training.
Radiology Research Programs
The department supports multiple innovative research programs that reflect our commitment to advancement in the field of radiology:
- Imaging Technology & Analytics Group (ITAG)
- DIRECT-I (Division of Research and Clinical Translation in Imaging)
- Laboratory for Complex Brain Networks
Imaging Technology & Analytics Group (ITAG)
The Imaging Technology & Analytics Group (ITAG) partners with industry, clinical and research teams to develop, evaluate, and scale next generation imaging solutions.
ITAG is designed to support exploratory, translational, and commercially relevant projects, providing the flexibility and technical depth needed to move from early concept to validated application.
Learn more about ITAG.
DIvision of REsearch and Clinical Translation in Imaging (DIRECT-I)
DIRECT-I is an enterprise-wide imaging platform to accelerate translational research across different diseases. The central goal of DIRECT-I is to ensure that breakthrough discoveries in imaging research reach patients faster. Through advanced imaging technologies, DIRECT-I will deliver tools that meaningfully improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient outcomes, and thereby compress the timeline from discovery to first-in-human application.
Learn more about DIRECT-I.
Laboratory for Complex Brain Networks (LCBN)
The Laboratory for Complex Brain Networks (LCBN) is a Wake Forest Baptist Health neuroscience and neuroimaging research facility. The primary focus of the laboratory is the development of innovative ideas, methods and technologies for systematic understanding of emergence in dynamic complex systems such as the brain.
Learn more about the Laboratory for Complex Brain Networks.
Radiology Research Initiatives and Highlights
Many sections of the Department of Radiology provide opportunities for ongoing research activities including case studies, descriptive studies and laboratory studies. Some current highlights include:
- Augmented and virtual reality
- 3D printing of anatomy from CT and MRI scans
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
- Virtual simulation lab
Radiology Facilities and Technology Highlights
The Department of Radiology provides clinical and research services along with state-of-the art radiologic equipment across the health system that includes:
- Remote-control fluoroscopes for uroradiology and gastrointestinal examinations
- Special procedures rooms for neuroradiology, visceral arteriography, digital subtraction angiography, ultrasound, and interventional
- Digital chest units
- A radiography and fluoroscopy room for myelography
- Several general radiography rooms, mobile units, and mobile fluoroscopes
- 1.5T scaner dedicated to cardiovascular and inpatient imaging for cardiovascular work
- Multislice CT scanners, including two with 64-slice configurations and one for interventional procedures equipped with CT fluoroscopy
- Skull unit
- 64 slice multidetector CT scanner
- Panorex
- Ultrasound Units
Full Breast Imaging Capabilities
- Two film-screen mammography units
- Full-field digital mammography units
- A stereotactic mammography table for needle biopsy of the breast
- Dedicated breast ultrasound units (Interventional procedures; and a breast MRI coil with biopsy capability)
- Pediatric units with low-dose fluoroscopy
- Multi-purpose plain film room
- Ultrasound units
- Gamma cameras, including whole body, dual and triple-headed SPECT units
- Integrated medical computer system
- In-house radiopharmacy
The PET Center, includes:
- Cyclotron
- Research PET scanner
- Research positron emission mammography (PEM) device
- Clinical PET/CT scanner
- State of-the-art high-field clinical magnetic resonance imaging units
- One of which is cardiac optimized
- Three of which have parallel imaging
- One which operates at 3T
- There is an additional unit dedicated to research.
- Departmental operations are managed by an automated radiology information system (RIS) with functions that include scheduling, patient and film folder tracking, transcription, electronic report approval, and teaching codes. The RIS is connected to the hospital information system (HIS), which offers order entry and reporting capabilities.
- A department-wide office automation system (GAS) supports users with central access to functions such as electronic mail, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and connectivity into other computing systems.
- The department is filmless with AGFA picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Stentor systems communicate the images to the extended network.
- A TeraRecon system allows physicians to perform color-rendered multiplanar and 3-dimensional reformations of image data in real-time at home, in the office, or at any clinical workstation.
- Multiple advanced image processing workstations for functional MRI, perfusion measurements, cardiac scoring, and virtual endoscopy are also located at multiple locations throughout the department.