Richard Carson Named IEEE Fellow

Richard Carson, professor of biomedical engineering & radiology and biomedical imaging, has been named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). 

IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Less than 0.1% of voting members are selected annually for this member grade elevation. IEEE Fellow is a distinction reserved for select IEEE members whose extraordinary accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest are deemed fitting of this prestigious grade elevation.

IEEE cited Carson’s contributions to quantitative positron emission tomography. His research uses Positron Emission Tomography (PET) as a tool to noninvasively measure a wide range of in vivo physiology in human beings and laboratory animals. His focus is on the development and applications of new tracer kinetic modeling methods and algorithms and on research in PET image reconstruction and image quantification. These quantitative techniques are then applied in clinical populations and preclinical models of disease. Application areas include neuropsychiatric populations, diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. 

Among other recent research projects, Carson helped develop a new method for directly measuring synaptic loss in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Using PET imaging technology to scan the brain for a specific protein that is present in nearly all synapses, the method could potentially accelerate research for treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.