Aaron Bertrand (Randy) Brill, M.D., Ph.D., has received the title of Research Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Emeritus. He was among 25 retiring faculty receiving emeritus or emerita faculty titles for their contributions during the 2019 Vanderbilt Commencement ceremony.
Brill was first recruited to Vanderbilt in 1964 as an Associate Professor of Medicine with joint appointments in Radiology and Physics. In 1971, he was promoted to Professor of Radiology where he served as Co-director for the Radioisotope Center and Director of Nuclear Medicine and Biophysics. He left Vanderbilt in 1979 to pursue various research projects before returning as Research Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences in the Section of Radiological Sciences in 1997. Throughout his tenure, Brill has given a combined 37 years of service to Vanderbilt in the Departments of Radiology, Medicine, Physics, Epidemiology and Biomedical Engineering. He will retire at end of this academic year.
“Dr. Brill has been both a practicing physician and an outstanding scientist over his long career, recognized world-wide for his contributions to nuclear medicine, internal dosimetry and medical imaging,” said David Pickens, Ph.D., Chief, Section of Radiological Sciences. “As both a student of Dr. Brill’s and, upon his return, a colleague, I have found his probing questions, always asked in a cordial and friendly manner, to be a major contributor towards looking at imaging science problems in new ways.”
Brill earned his medical degree from the University of Utah. He subsequently attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed his fellowship in Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics and his Ph.D. in Biophysics.
His primary areas of research have included radiation epidemiology and radiobiology dosimetry of internal emitters using single-photon emission computerized tomography, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, and optical imaging. More specifically, he has focused on the development of novel radiation detectors and computer applications in medicine.
“I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in and lead some projects of my choice in collaboration with physicians and scientists in different departments,” said Brill. “I appreciate the opportunity to retire and maintain access to Vanderbilt and its resources while I continue my research projects as Emeritus faculty.”
He remains actively involved in professional societies, including the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers, many of which have honored him for his work.
“He is an irreplaceable resource in our field,” added Pickens. “I wish him well in his retirement and new position as Professor Emeritus.”
The department will host a retirement celebration in Brill’s honor on June 21.
