August 2026 - Dr. Reimund Bayerlein awarded NIH R03 grant

Dr. Reimund Bayerlein, an Assistant Project Scientist based at the University of California, Davis, has been awarded a second 2-year NIH R03 research grant as Principal Investigator to investigate artifacts caused by artificial intelligence (AI)-based image enhancement tools in positron emission tomography.

With AI entering our research field on all fronts, systematic performance evaluation is pivotal for the safe deployment of these novel methods in clinical practice. While deep learning has proven to dramatically improve image appearance and help reduce noise in low- dose or short-acquisition scans, quantitative evaluation of these benefits remains a work in progress. This is particularly important in oncological applications, where correct identification and classification of tumors or lesions is the basis for correct patient treatment and outcome. Since AI tools have been known to hallucinate realistic yet factually wrong features, or to misinterpret existing features as noise, investigating the probability of such AI-induced artifacts is a timely challenge in the field. The goal of this project is therefore to understand the circumstances under which these artifacts occur, in order to optimize prediction and provide a roadmap for their mitigation.

The project will be conducted at the EXPLORER Molecular Imaging Center (EMIC) at UC Davis, with total funding of $161,000 over 2 years from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). This award marks the second funding milestone in Dr. Bayerlein's research career and represents a significant step forward in creating a safe and well-understood AI-enhanced PET imaging environment.

Congratulations, Reimund!