POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS (NEAR INFRARED FLUORESCENCE INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND) - Mass General Brigham : Job Details

Employer Description

Guillermo (Gary) J. Tearney, M.D., Ph.D.

Tearney Lab Wellman Center for Photomedicine

Massachusetts General Hospital

The Tearney Lab is an 80+ person multidisciplinary lab led by Guillermo (Gary) Tearney, MD, PhD. The goal of the Tearney Lab is to see every cell in the human body so that disease can be detected at its earliest stages when it can be cured.To this end, the lab has pioneered multiple diagnostic devices that enable 3D imaging at the microscopic scale in living human patients. These technologies include multimodality optical coherence tomography (OCT) where OCT is combined with spectroscopy, fluorescence, and other optical techniques, ultrahigh-resolution OCT (OCT) where the resolution is sufficiently detailed to visualize individual cells, and functional OCT that measures the function and metabolism of cells in living systems. These technologies are implemented in a variety of devices (endoscopes, catheters, capsules, implantable) that provide accessible imaging anywhere inside the body. The lab has major programs to overcome clinical diagnostic challenges in celiac disease, food allergy disorders, malnutrition, coronary artery disease, hearing loss, GI cancer, and cystic fibrosis, among others. Novel technologies are created using device development processes and tested and validated in over 15 ongoing single- and multi-center clinical studies.

To enable this broad translational research, the Tearney Lab is outfitted with: Robust engineering, quality, and clinical regulatory teams State of the art optical laboratories Two class 10,000 clean rooms Multiple rapid prototyping facilities Nanoscribe optical printing Machine learning core

Job Description

Research Conduct:

Conduct research in the field of molecular intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging with a focus on near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) hybrid imaging modalities.

Design and execute experiments to evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel molecular imaging agents for the detection of high-risk plaque features, including thin fibrous caps, lipid cores, microcalcifications, macrophage infiltration, tissue dissection, and neovascularization.

Utilize high-resolution intravascular imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to co-register molecular imaging data with anatomical images.

Investigate the underlying pathobiology of atherosclerosis to identify potential molecular targets for imaging agents.

Imaging Technology Development:

Contribute to the development and optimization of hybrid intravascular imaging catheters capable of co-registering molecular and structural images.

Collaborate with engineers and scientists to improve the performance, resolution, and sensitivity of NIRF imaging systems.

Explore innovative approaches to enhance the depth of penetration and spatial resolution of NIRF imaging for accurate detection of plaque vulnerability markers.

Data Analysis and Interpretation:

Analyze imaging data using advanced image processing techniques and software tools.

Interpret imaging results to identify molecular signatures associated with high-risk plaque features.

Collaborate with bioinformaticians and statisticians to perform multivariate analyses and predictive modeling of imaging data.

Publication and Presentation:

Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, presenting original research findings and contributions to the field.

Present research findings at national and international conferences, symposiums, and workshops to disseminate knowledge and foster collaboration within the scientific community.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of scientists, clinicians, and engineers to develop a viable pathway to integrate molecular imaging technologies into clinical practice.

Mentor and supervise engineers, technicians, and research assistants involved in the project.

Grant Writing and Funding Acquisition:

Assist in the preparation of grant proposals to secure extramural funding from government agencies, foundations, and industry partners.

Contribute to the development of research budgets, timelines, and project plans for grant applications.

This appointment will be made at the rank of postdoctoral fellow or instructor at Harvard Medical School, commensurate with the applicants experience. MGHs role as a leading teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and close ties to Harvard University and MIT provide an outstanding environment for developing and translating new OCT technologies with applications in basic and clinical research.

Representative recent publications from our group include:1. Dong, J., C. Grant, B. Vuong, N. Nishioka, A.H. Gao, M. Beatty, G. Baldwin, A. Baillargeon, A. Bablouzian, P. Grahmann, N. Bhat, E. Ryan, A. Barrios, S. Giddings, T. Ford, E. Beaulieu-Ouellet, S.H. Hosseiny, I. Lerman, W. Trasischker, R. Reddy, K. Singh, M. Gora, D. Hyun, L. Queneherve, M. Wallace, H. Wolfsen, P. Sharma, K.K. Wang, C.L. Leggett, J. Poneros, J.A. Abrams, C. Lightdale, S. Leeds, M. Rosenberg, and G.J. Tearney, Feasibility and Safety of Tethered Capsule Endomicroscopy in Patients With Barrett's Esophagus in a Multi-Center Study. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2022. 20(4): p. 756-765 e3.2. Wartak, A., A.K. Kelada, P.A. Leon Alarcon, A.L. Bablouzian, O.O. Ahsen, A.L. Gregg, Y. Wei, K. Bollavaram, C.J. Sheil, E. Farewell, S. VanTol, R. Smith, P. Grahmann, A.R. Baillargeon, J.A. Gardecki, and G.J. Tearney, Dual-modality optical coherence tomography and fluorescence tethered capsule endomicroscopy. Biomed Opt Express, 2021. 12(7): p. 4308-4323.3. Osborn, E.A., G.J. Ughi, J.W. Verjans, Z. Piao, E. Gerbaud, M. Albaghdadi, H. Khraishah, M.B. Kassab, R.A.P. Takx, J. Cui, A. Mauskapf, C. Shen, R.W. Yeh, M.T. Klimas, A. Tawakol, G.J. Tearney*, and F.A. Jaffer*, Intravascular Molecular-Structural Assessment of Arterial Inflammation in Preclinical Atherosclerosis Progression. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging, 2021. 14(11): p. 2265-2267.4. Yin, B., Z. Piao, K. Nishimiya, C. Hyun, J.A. Gardecki, A. Mauskapf, F.A. Jaffer, and G.J. Tearney, 3D cellular-resolution imaging in arteries using few-mode interferometry. Light Sci Appl, 2019. 8: p. 104.5. Leung, H.M., S.E. Birket, C. Hyun, T.N. Ford, D. Cui, G.M. Solomon, R.J. Shei, A.T. Adewale, A.R. Lenzie, C.M. Fernandez-Petty, H. Zheng, J.H. Palermo, D.Y. Cho, B.A. Woodworth, L.M. Yonker, B.P. Hurley, S.M. Rowe, and G.J. Tearney, Intranasal micro-optical coherence tomography imaging for cystic fibrosis studies. Sci Transl Med, 2019. 11(504).

Contact Information

Interested candidates are encouraged to send a CV accompanied by a cover letter describing any previous research training, specific areas of interest, and contact information for three letters of reference. Address correspondence to Dr. Gary Tearney, note the position you are applying for in the subject line, and send by email to [email protected]

Job Requirements

• • A PhD (or equivalent) in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field is required.

Required skills

• A strong background in ultrasound along with multiple publications

• A strong understanding of electronics theory

• A strong understanding of tissue acoustic properties

• A strong grounding in fundamental optics theory

• A strong understanding of tissue optical properties

Desired skills

• Experience in modeling of acoustic wave/tissue interactions

• Experience in intravascular ultrasound

• Experience in intravascular OCT

• Experience in modeling of light/tissue interactions

• Experience in developing ultrasound probes and systems

• A background in fiber probe design (e.g., ball lens, grin lens) including proximal and distal scanning

• Strong computational background

• A practical understanding of hardware control of optical and related instrumentation to include a working understanding of analog/digital circuits

• An organized and creative problem-solver

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Primary Location MA-Boston-MGH Main Campus

Work Locations MGH Main Campus 55 Fruit Street Boston 02114

Job MD/PHD/Fellows/ PostDocs

Organization Mass General Physicians Organization(MGPO)

Schedule Full-time

Standard Hours 40

Shift Day Job

Employee Regular

Job Posting Jul 12, 2024