MD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Radiology
Vice Chair of Clinical Research
Director of Interventional Radiology
Director of Cancer Imaging
UNC-Chapel Hill
Clinical Research
Area of Interest
Over the past 10 years, the primary objective of my research has been to implement innovative minimally invasive therapies for patients with primary and metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) malignancies. By identifying clinical factors and biomarkers that improve therapeutic response and minimize treatment-related toxicity, I aspire to optimize patient outcomes.
My specific research focus has been to investigate the clinical relevance of yttrium-90 (Y90) dosimetry in treating primary and metastatic liver tumors. As a result of these efforts, I was the lead author on one of the first clinical studies on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Y90 dosimetry within the United States, which was published in Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (2014). I have been involved in several clinical trials and studies with overarching focus on personalization of therapy for patient with primary and metastatic liver tumors treated with radioembolization. These efforts include evaluation of improved treatment planning and dosimetry for such patients using novel surrogates.
More recently my team successfully conducted a clinical trial evaluating the accuracy of scout dose Y90 for prospective personalized selective internal radiation therapy planning in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. In a near future, I will be the national principle investigator for a multicenter international clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new radioembolization device called Holmium-166 (QuiremSpheres®, Terumo Medical, Tokyo, Japan) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, I am currently collaborating with several members of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center to design several clinical trials and studies.
In addition to leading clinical investigations, I have been heavily involved in Health Services Research to develop evidence-based data comparing minimally invasive cancer directed therapies to medical and surgical alternatives. By utilizing large databases such as the National Cancer Database (NCBD) to evaluate the comparative and cost-effectiveness of such therapies, my team and I have been able to illustrate that there is under-utilization of these treatments despite improved health outcomes.
As part of these efforts, I received the Radiological Society of North America Resident Research Grant to compare the efficacy of treatments for surgically unresectable HCC using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. This study showed that there is lack of access to liver-directed therapies nationwide, particularly in rural populations and in racial and ethnic minorities, which adversely affects patient survival.
Additionally, as the Co-Chair of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Comparative Effectiveness Committee, my goal is to create multilateral collaborations between SIR Foundation, other radiology organizations, and academic institutions to conduct high-impact research that further illustrates the critical role and value of minimally invasive cancer therapies within the healthcare system.
Honors and Awards
- Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award, Society of Interventional Radiology, Boston, MA 2022
- Mentorship Award, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 2021
- Featured Researcher, 2020 Researcher Appreciation Day, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 2020
- Outstanding Contribution to Research (Junior Faculty), Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA 2020
- Constantine Cope Medical Student Research Award, Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting, Atlanta, GA (Mentored Linzi Arndt, MD) 2020
- Distinguished Oral Abstract, Society of Interventional Oncology Annual Scientific Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, 2019
- Best Scientific Poster, Symposium on Clinical Interventional Oncology, Miami, FL, 2019
- Outstanding Mentor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 2019
- Resident/Fellow Research Award, Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting, Atlanta, GA (Mentored Julie Cronan, MD), 2019
- Radiology Society of North America (RSNA) Roentgen Resident Research Award, Chicago, IL, 2016
- SynIRgy Interventional Oncology Meeting Resident and Fellow Travel Scholarship, Miami, FL, 2015
- World Congress of Interventional Oncology (WCIO) Best Abstract, New York, NY, 2015
- Resident/Fellow Research Award, Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2015
- Resident-in-Training Travel Scholarship, Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2014
- Educational Exhibit Certificate of Merit Award, Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, IL, 2013
- University of Sydney Medical Society International Research Fellowship, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2010
- Northern Clinical School Dean’s Research Travel Scholarship, University Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2010
- University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine’s Edith Collins Prize for Research in Alcohol and Related Disorders, 2009
- Gold Medal, Entrepreneurial Design Award for Dynamic Prosthetic Eye Design and Development, Western Canada Engineering Competition, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, 2005
