John P. Mugler, III, Ph.D.

Professor of Radiology and Medical Imaging; Biomedical Engineering

B.S., University of Virginia, 1980
M.S., Stanford University, 1981
Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1988

University of Virginia
Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging Research
Snyder Translational Research Building - Room 154
480 Ray C. Hunt Dr.
Charlottesville, VA  22903

434-982-1674
John.Mugler@virginia.edu

My research focuses on the development and optimization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, and draws on a variety of physics and engineering principles with a strong emphasis on theoretical modeling and simulation, and on practical implementation and evaluation.

Currently, major projects include imaging and spectroscopy of the human lung using hyperpolarized helium- and xenon-based methods, and high-resolution 3-D imaging using conventional proton-based methods.  Hyperpolarized helium and xenon are new MR-based gaseous contrast agents that are particularly well suited for imaging air spaces such as those of the lung.  Hyperpolarized-gas MR provides high-resolution, detailed images of the lung that are far superior in quality to those from any existing clinical imaging method, and offers a variety of approaches for obtaining unique functional information about the lung.  Our research on high-resolution 3-D imaging aims to increase spatial resolution, decrease acquisition time, and improve image quality for methods applicable to routine clinical imaging throughout the human body.