Date/Time
Date(s) - 04/19/2024
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Category(ies)
Ramon Barajas, M.D.
Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Radiology and Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University
Date: Friday, April 19, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: PSH 152
Abstract
This grand rounds presentation aims to elucidate the critical roles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in understanding brain tumor biology, focusing on their image formation techniques, biological basis, and implications in clinical management. MRI, leveraging the magnetic properties of atoms, provides detailed anatomical images of brain tissue, aiding in tumor localization and characterization. Its advanced modalities, such as perfusion and diffusion-weighted imaging, offer insights into tumor physiology and cellular density. PET imaging, on the other hand, uses radiolabeled tracers to visualize metabolic activity, enabling the detection of malignant tissue through biologically specific radiotracer uptake. The synergy between MRI’s anatomical precision and PET’s metabolic profiling facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of tumor biology, significantly impacting diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and prognosis evaluation. The talk will also cover the biological principles underlying these imaging modalities, including the significance of various biomarkers in understanding tumor pathophysiology. Clinically, these imaging techniques are instrumental in determining tumor grade, assessing treatment response, and monitoring for recurrence, thus playing a pivotal role in personalized cancer management. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on the latest advancements in imaging technology and their future prospects in neuro-oncology.
BioSketch
Dr. Ramon Francisco Barajas Jr., M.D., joined the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Advanced Imaging Research Center at Oregon Health and Science University in 2015. Dr. Barajas is board certified in Diagnostic Radiology with a Subspecialty Certificate in Neuroradiology. As a physician-scientist, he leads a multidisciplinary collaborative team of pre-clinical and clinical brain tumor researchers with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors. This goal is being actively pursued through the generous grant support provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI) Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (1 K08 CA237809-01A1), OHSU Friends of Doernbecher Grant, and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Hildegard Lamfrom Research Scholar Award: Early Stage Physician-Scientist Grant. His research emphasis is focused on quantitative imaging genomics analysis, neuroinflammation biomarker development, and molecular radiotheranostic approaches that are eminently translatable for patients with brain tumors. Dr. Barajas is the OHSU ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group Site Investigator and is currently undertaking several investigators initiated studies which include a clinical trial assessing the feasibility of hypoxia based FMISO PET/MRI biomarkers for assessing outcomes in patients with glioblastoma (NCT03649880). In his personal time, Dr. Barajas enjoys Bonsai Cultivation, Baseball, Gold Mining, Blacksmithing, and all things Golf related.