Stanislav Emelianov, PhD

2012-2013 BCRF Project:
Dr. Emelianov and colleagues have synthesized several types of biocompatible, nontoxic, molecularly targeted imaging contrast agents for an ultrasound-guided photoacoustic (USPA) imaging system. The imaging system that they are developing is capable of simultaneous anatomical, functional, cellular and molecular visualization of cancer. It is likely to have a significant impact on many aspects of cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment.

In 2012-13, Dr. Emelianov's team will extend the utility of their USPA imaging system and imaging contrast agents to detect tumors at early stages. They will also simultaneously assess tumor subtypes in vivo, which will bring about a radical change in the use of radiotherapy in breast cancer management ranging from early detection and characterization of tumors to personalized/adaptive therapy to monitoring of the treatment outcome. The outcome of this project has potential to impact both fundamental cancer studies and clinical management of breast cancer.

Mid-year Progress: The overall goal of Dr. Emelianov's project is to translate ultrasound-guided photoacoustic (USPA) imaging, augmented with targeted nano-sized contrast agents, to preclinical cancer research and, ultimately, to clinical practice. Indeed, USPA imaging system, capable of simultaneous anatomical, functional, cellular and molecular visualization of cancer will have a significant impact on breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. In the past, they demonstrated the potential of ultrasound-guided photoacoustic imaging using small laboratory models of cancer. Their current objective is clinical translation of USPA imaging. Specifically, they will extend the utility of the USPA imaging system and imaging contrast agents to detect tumors at early stages and, simultaneously, to assess tumor phenotyping in vivo, thus providing a radical change in breast cancer management ranging from early detection and characterization of tumors to personalized/adaptive therapy to monitoring of the treatment outcome. To achieve this goal, Dr. Emelianov's team is designing a USPA imager and algorithms appropriate for clinical imaging of breast. Furthermore, they are developing a new type of molecularly targeted imaging contrast agent for an USPA imaging system - this contrast agent is biocompatible, nontoxic, and allow high contrast images of tissue at sufficient depth. Overall, they have made significant progress towards clinical translation of ultrasound-guided photoacoustic diagnostic imaging.

Bio:
Dr. Stanislav Emelianov is an Associate Professor and the Associate Chair for Research of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as the Director of Ultrasound Imaging and Therapeutics Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also an Associate Professor of Imaging Physics at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Throughout his career, Dr. Emelianov has been devoted to the development of advanced imaging methods capable of detecting and diagnosing cancer and other pathologies, assisting treatment planning, and enhancing image-guided therapy and monitoring of the treatment outcome. He is specifically interested in intelligent biomedical imaging and sensing ranging from molecular imaging to small animal imaging to clinical applications. Furthermore, Dr. Emelianov develops approaches for image-guided molecular therapy and therapeutic applications of ultrasound and electromagnetic energy. Finally, nanobiotechnology plays a critical role in his research. In the course of his work, Dr. Emelianov has pioneered several ultrasound-based imaging techniques including molecular photoacoustic imaging. Overall, projects in Dr. Emelianov's laboratory, which focuses on cancer and cardiovascular diseases, range from molecular imaging to functional imaging and tissue differentiation, from drug delivery and release to image-guided surgery and intervention.

Dr. Emelianov is a nationally recognized expert in biomedical imaging instrumentation and nanoagents for imaging and therapy. He is the author of over 100 publications including peer-reviewed research articles, invited reviews, and book chapters. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Dr. Emelianov was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He is also the Vice-President for Ultrasonics of the IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control Society.