PET Faculty

Dr. Sun earned his Ph.D. in the Radiological Science Joint Program from the Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University and MIT in 2003. He spent three years at Johns Hopkins University for his postdoctoral training before joining the Martinos Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, in 2007. Dr. Sun joined Emory University in 2018. Dr. Sun’s research has focused on the development of advanced MRI techniques for in vivo applications. He has years’ experience in biomedical imaging research, including MRI sequence development, preclinical evaluation, and clinical translation on experimental Bruker and clinical Siemens scanners. His previous investigations contributed to the technical advancement of quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). His group proposed multiple CEST analysis algorithms include CEST intravoxel inhomogeneity correction (CIVIC), Image Downsampling Expedited Adaptive Least-squares (IDEAL) CEST fitting, and quasi-steady-state (QUASS) CEST MRI. His work showed that the heterogeneous perfusion/diffusion ischemic lesion mismatch can be demarcated into the metabolic penumbra (the hypoperfused area with pH drop) and benign oligemia (the hypoperfused area without pH change). His study also demonstrated the heterogeneous diffusion lesion could be refined using the DKI technique. Diffusion kurtosis lesion identifies the most severely injured portion of diffusion lesion that is unlikely to respond to early recanalization. As a result of my research activities, his group has published over seventy-five peer-reviewed articles and more than ten patents. As the director of the imaging core, Dr. Sun supports ongoing projects, and helps guide innovative imaging research, identify new funding opportunities, and promote the excellence of the imaging core.

Dr. Goodman’s research interests encompass PET and SPECT radiotracer development of oncology, brain and heart agents. His research has resulted in the translation of the first reported synthetic amino alicyclic acid radio labeled with the PET radioelement fluorine-18 for imaging both intracranial tumors and prostate cancer in patients. In applied research, Dr. Goodman’s interests include the development of automated devices to facilitate the use of new radiotracers.

Dr. Nyes research interests include the characterization of radiolabeled tracers and the evaluation of their physiological behavior in vivo with quantitative kinetic modeling. He is a medical physicist certified by the American Board of Radiology in Nuclear Medical Physics.