John Gore

University Professor
Professor of Physics
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences
Hertha Ramsey Cress Chair in Medicine
Director, Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science

Research Interests

My research program is focused on the development and application of imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy techniques, in clinical and basic science. Imaging of human subjects and small animals provides unique information on tissue structure and function, and is being applied in a variety of different applications in neuroscience, cancer research and studies of metabolism.

1. We aim to understand the physical and physiological factors that affect MRI signals and to use this knowledge to devise non-invasive imaging methods that provide new types of information as well as for developing new applications of imaging. This work includes studies of spin relaxation processes, diffusion, susceptibility effects and flow in tissues and tissue models.
2. the development of ultra-high imaging methods, especially overcoming the challenges of 7T human and 15T microscopic imaging .  Successful imaging at ultra-high fields demands novel developments in e.g. RF pulse design and the correction of system imperfections.
3. the application of high field imaging to studies of neural function, and in parallel, the integration of fMRI with other modalities (EEG, NIR) in order to obtain a better understanding of the basis of functional MRI, functional connectivity and pharmacological MRI (phMRI). This work involves studies of animals (rodents and non-human primates) at high field as well as human subjects at 7T.
4. the use of multi-modality imaging (MRI, PET, CT, optical and ultrasound) to study small animals, including mouse models of human cancer and other disorders. This work includes the development and application of multiple imaging biomarkers to quantitatively describe pathological processes, the incorporation of molecular imaging methods and novel contrast materials, and the correlation and interpretation of different imaging measurements.
5. Many projects also involve the development and application of advanced image analysis methods and computer algorithms including machine learning.

Bio

Dr. John C. Gore is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), the American Physical Society, the National Academy of Inventors, the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering, and the Institute of Physics (UK).  He is also a Distinguished Investigator of the Academy of Radiology Research and Overseas Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (UK). He is editor-in-chief of the journal Magnetic Resonance Imaging. He has been honored with several awards including the Gold Medal of the ISMRM (2004) for his contributions to the field of magnetic resonance imaging, the Earl Sutherland Award for Achievement in Research from Vanderbilt University, and is an Honorary Professor at Zhejiang University in China. In 2002 he  founded the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science which has since grown to be one of the premier centers for imaging research in the world. Dr. Gore has published over 700 original papers and contributions within the medical imaging field. His research interests include the development and application of multimodal imaging methods for understanding tissue physiology and structure, molecular imaging and functional brain imaging.

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