I'm thrilled to share insights from a recent conversation with Dr. Ehsan Samei, Reed and Martha Rice Distinguished Professor of Radiology at Duke University.
We discussed an exciting Grand Challenge I'm leading with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine-focused on identifying bold, breakthrough challenges that could shape the future of medical physics.
But what is medical physics? Its applications are vast-spanning MRI, lasers, ultrasound, AI, and nuclear medicine. As I've spoken with physicists dedicated to this field, I've been inspired by the incredible advancements on the horizon. From AI models to digital twins, the future of medical physics is unfolding in powerful ways.
During our conversation, Dr. Samei shared his perspective on developing AI models for medical applications. He echoed the famous phrase, "All models are wrong, but some are useful," emphasizing that the goal is to find models that are truly impactful in advancing patient care.
Scientific breakthroughs don't just improve technologies-they open doors to new research, innovative techniques, and deeper understanding. They prevent suffering, save lives, and reshape our world. It's a privilege to contribute to this transformative work.
Dr. Samei's leadership has been pivotal in integrating physics principles into clinical practice, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in patient care. Listen in to learn more about this groundbreaking work.
Read more about all my Grand Challenges here. Get involved, contribute, or contact me for more information.
Dr. Ehsan Samei, a distinguished professor at Duke University, specializes in x-ray imaging, theoretical models, and experimental techniques for medical image formation and perception. His research bridges scientific scholarship and clinical practice, advancing image quality, safety metrics, and optimizing and monitoring imaging performance. His recent work focuses on virtual clinical trials across oncology, pulmonary, cardiac, and vascular diseases, developing innovative methodologies that blend scientific principles with AI-driven approaches.
He serves as Chief Imaging Physicist for Duke Health, Director of the Carl E. Ravin Advanced Imaging Laboratories and co-PI for Triangle CERSI. Dr. Samei has mentored over 140 trainees, authored over 1,400 publications, and secured 44 extramural grants, including an NIH Program Project grant establishing CVIT. His research has earned him numerous fellowships and leadership roles, including AAPM President in 2023.
