Y-TRIC T32 Post-doctoral Research Fellowship Offers Multi-modality Cardiovascular Imaging Training

The Yale Translational Research Imaging Center (Y-TRIC) is recruiting T32 post-doctoral fellows. Directed by Albert J. Sinusas, MD, professor of medicine and radiology and biomedical imaging, and biomedical engineering and James S. Duncan, PhD, Ebenezer K. Hunt Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Y-TRIC offers aspiring academic scientists a robust learning environment.

The training program will provide comprehensive training in multi-modality molecular and translational cardiovascular imaging, imaging technology, and image guided therapeutic interventions and the emerging role of data sciences in these areas of investigation. Qualified candidates holding either a MD or PhD are eligible, in preparation for academic careers as independent investigators in the clinically relevant field of cardiovascular imaging.

Fellows emerge from the program with research experience in multi-modality cardiovascular imaging.

Nabil Boutagy, PhD, associate research scientist in pharmacology, is a member of the Janeway Society, an organization that supports early-career physician-scientists at the Yale School of Medicine. Boutagy is also the recipient of a Research Scientist Development Award (K01) from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). His project, "Endothelial lipid droplet turnover and regulation of metabolic function," aims to define the crucial role of endothelial lipid droplet turnover on metabolic function. His latest review in the Journal of Clinical Investigation examines promising findings to reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality associated with metabolic disease.

“As a T32 fellow in translational imaging, I led several interdisciplinary and translational projects. I had unique exposure to novel in-vivo imaging modalities and techniques. I interacted with leading experts in biomedical imaging and cardiology. My postdoc experience was productive and allowed me to build lasting research and professional relationships. Together, these experiences significantly contributed to my development as an academic scientist,” said Boutagy.

Attila Feher, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, trained for two years to learn multimodality imaging techniques used for the investigation of the coronary microcirculation. Earlier this year, he received a Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) at the 27th Annual Scientific Session and Exhibition.

“Doing the T32 fellowship before my clinical years helped me to build a foundation for my knowledge about multimodality cardiovascular imaging and helped to boost my academic career in a major way. With this fellowship, I have discovered that I have a passion for cardiovascular imaging, which now I have chosen as a lifelong career,” said Feher.

Feher and Boutagy co-authored a study in The Journal of Rheumatology, that was selected for the Editor’s Picks last year.

In addition, they were co-first authors of a National Institutes of Health-funded study published in JACC: CardioOncology on a technique to predict whether cancer patients receiving doxorubicin, a common chemotherapy drug, are likely to experience heart failure. The non-invasive procedure may be able to help screen for early signs of heart failure.

A third former T32 trainee, John Stendahl, MD, PhD, is now an instructor of medicine.

"The T32 fellowship in translational imaging at Y-TRIC was an outstanding opportunity that redirected my career and continues to pay significant dividends. The fellowship provided an optimal combination of research time and clinical exposure that is critical for early-career physician-scientists. The fellowship also provided an opportunity to learn cardiovascular physiology and imaging principles at levels of detail that are usually not covered in clinical settings, but are important for scientific work and directly relevant clinical practice," said Stendahl.

Stendahl was selected for a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Career Development Award. The multiyear grant will aid in the development of new therapies to treat ischemia-reperfusion injury.

"Dr. Sinusas' incredible fund of knowledge in these areas and passion for all types of research greatly enriched my experience. In all, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to complete the fellowship and work with such wonderful mentors and talented scientists. The lab studies many aspects of cardiovascular physiology, diagnostics, and therapeutics, but it is not exclusively imaging. In addition, while scientific and technical experience is needed, direct experience in cardiovascular imaging is not a prerequisite, as there is significant on the job training," he adds.

The Y-TRIC centralizes small and large animal housing and surgery with state-of-the-art imaging resources. The core resources include: radiochemistry laboratory, integrated surgical and fluoroscopy suite (Philips Allura Xper FD20 - Volumetric C-Arm X-ray Fluoroscopy Unit with Cone Beam Imaging Capability) with integrated cardiac ultrasound (Philips EPIQ CVxi), hybrid digital SPECT/128-slice CT scanner (Spectrum Dynamics VeritonCT), microSPECT/CT imaging suite (MILabs), rodent ultrasound (VisualSonics) and multiple 3D graphics workstations.

The Y-TRIC T-32 post-doctoral research fellowship can be integrated with clinical training programs in cardiovascular disease, advanced cardiovascular imaging, or other related fields such as CT surgery, interventional cardiology, and pulmonary medicine. To learn more about our research training program, please visit the Y-TRIC website or contact Albert J. Sinusas, MD.

U.S. citizenship or green card required.

For inquiries regarding the application process, visit the Y-TRIC website. Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and CV to Albert.Sinusas@yale.edu.