Thomas Nelson, PhD & Jakob Nebeker, PhD
Radiology
UC San Diego
Seminar Information
This presentation will review the background related to breast cancer early detection including mammography, hand held ultrasound, breast density, and why better tools are still needed. We will discuss our vision for diagnosis, biopsy, and treatment including the overall approach to our dedicated volume breast ultrasound system. We will review the challenges and properties of tomographic acoustic imaging that produce reconstruction of volumetric reflection, attenuation, speed images that can be used for minimally invasive device guidance using robotics and hyperthermia. We will describe how sound speed images can be used to monitor breast tissue temperatures in response to hyperthermia therapy. We will conclude with research program next steps and opportunities for student participation.
Professor Thomas Nelson received his B.A. degree from in Mathematics from San Diego State University in 1972, his M.S. in Radiological Physics from San Diego State University in 1974 and his Ph.D. degree in Medical Physics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1977. Dr. Nelson is a tenured Professor in the Departments of Radiology and Bioengineering at the University of California, San Diego. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Dr. Nelsonis a Diplomate of the American Board of Health Physics and the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Nelson’s research interests include medical imaging including breast imaging and 3D ultrasound, computer modeling, and visualization. His current research is directed toward early detection of breast cancer.
Jakob Nebeker received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from the University of California, San Diego in 2012. He received his B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2002. His dissertation was on ultrasound tomography and thermometry.