Educational Opportunities

Undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in PET research projects during the academic year and during the summer.
Students will learn to use computer software tools for image creation, image processing, and data analysis.
PET involves a very wide range of scientific applications including mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, chemistry, pharmacology and neuroscience. Background in some of these areas is helpful.
For most of these applications, some experience with computer programming, e.g., with high-level languages such as Matlab and IDL is very helpful.
Contact Richard E. Carson at richard.e.carson@yale.edu for further information.

First year graduate students in Biomedical Engineering can perform Special Investigations, i.e., 1-semester rotations, in PET Imaging.
Dissertation work in PET imaging can be performed through arrangement with Richard E. Carson, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering.

There are periodic openings for post-doctoral associates for 2-year fellowships for specific research projects in PET physics and tracer kinetic modeling.
Contact Richard E. Carson at richard.e.carson@yale.edu for further information.

Improving PET measurements: Physics of PET imaging and improved corrections for effects such as scatter and resolution.
Better images: Reconstruction algorithm developments to improve image quality.
Faster images: Computer science innovations for more rapid image reconstruction using computer clusters.
New PET physiology: Analysis of PET images from new radiopharmaceuticals to assess new physiological functions, such as new neuroreceptors.
Improved kinetics: Development of new data analysis methods to produce reliable and accurate measurements of physiological parameters.
Less invasive methods: Use PET imaging data to measure the blood input function and avoid invasive arterial sampling.
Image processing: Use of image processing tools such as principle components analysis and wavelets to improve PET parametric images.
Human high resolution imaging: Analysis of human images to assess PET uptake in small brain nuclei or to correct for cerebral atrophy.
Disease-related questions: Use PET data to assess regional differences in PET physiology in disease or following treatment.