Kristin O’Grady, PhD, Research Instructor in Radiology and Radiological Sciences, has been named to the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research’s Council of Early Career Investigators in Imaging (CECI2) Class of 2020.
In their press release, the Academy announced that the 2020 CECI2 class is their largest class to date, comprised of 35 investigators from institutions across the United States.
The CECI2 provides early career investigators with the opportunity to participate in networking and professional development programs, while also learning about the importance of advocacy for federal funding in imaging research.
Dr. O’Grady, along with members of the CECI2 Class of 2020, will receive travel stipends to attend the 11th Annual Medical Imaging Technology Showcase (MEDTECH11) in Washington, D.C., which has been rescheduled to 2021 due to the 2019 novel Coronavirus. In the meantime, members will have the opportunity to connect virtually with each other, as well as with leaders from the National Institutes of Health and legislators on Capitol Hill, to participate in webinars and various advocacy events.
“Participating in MEDTECH11 as a CECI2 member will be a unique opportunity to network with leaders in radiology and imaging science, and I’m looking forward to joining them to broaden the impact of our research,” said Dr. O’Grady. “I look forward to visiting the NIH campus with fellow early career researchers to meet with program officers and learn more about the missions and funding opportunities for the institutes that have supported my early career work, especially the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).”
Dr. O’Grady’s research is focused on developing quantitative magnetic resonance imaging methodologies for the brain and spinal cord, with the goal of better understanding the influence of biological sex on pathological changes associated with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Dr. O’Grady joined Vanderbilt as faculty in 2019 following the completion of her NINDS F32 Postdoctoral National Research Service Award in the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science. That same year, she was selected to participate in the Introduction to Academic Radiology for Scientists workshop at the Radiological Society of North America’s Annual Meeting. Last fall, Dr. O’Grady also received a career development award through Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Faculty Research Scholars program.
