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SNM, the world's largest society for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine professionals, launched 'Inside MI,' a free resource that provides molecular imaging experts as speakers on diverse topics for those in the medical community and patient groups. SNM, the world's largest society for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine professionals, launched 'Inside MI,' a free resource that provides molecular imaging experts as speakers on diverse topics for those in the medical community and patient groups.

"This is an exciting and vital resource, given that molecular imaging is rapidly evolving and may revolutionize patient care by integrating information about location, structure, function and biology, thus leading to a package of noninvasive, imaging tools with enormous potential for improving health care," said SNM President Alexander J. McEwan, who represents more than 16,000 physician, technologist and scientist members. "SNM speakers can bring fresh and relevant information about molecular imaging, the key to the future of high-quality personalized medicine, which involves diagnosing, treating and monitoring patients based on their individual makeup," added the professor and chair of the Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Alberta, and director of oncologic imaging at Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Canada.

"The rapidly developing field of molecular imaging is a multidisciplinary endeavor that draws researchers from fields as diverse as biochemistry, organic chemistry, genetics, bioengineering, optics, medical imaging, medical physics, nuclear medicine and radiation oncology," said Martin G. Pomper, president of SNM's Molecular Imaging Center of Excellence (MICOE). "As molecular imaging evolves and grows, related issues will begin to dominate as topics of study and discussion all around the world," said Pomper, professor of radiology, pharmacology and molecular sciences and oncology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md.

"This speakers program is intended especially for referring physicians and patient groups," explained Carolyn J. Anderson, MICOE secretary/treasurer. "'Inside MI' speakers will focus on emerging and novel approaches in molecular imaging, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy; ultrasound; multi-slice computed tomography; optical imaging (including bioluminescence and fluorescence) in preclinical and clinical applications; and research with contrast agents, nanoparticles, fluorescent dyes and proteins, microbubbles and other new non-radioisotope-based molecular imaging or therapy agents," she said. 'Inside MI' speakers come from top health centers and academic institutions including Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif.; the University of Texas-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; and Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York. The speakers represent a broad cross section of backgrounds and experience, added Anderson, a professor of radiology, chemistry, and molecular biology and pharmacology at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

While 'Inside MI' builds on SNM's current speaker program, the society is also asking additional experts (both SNM members and nonmembers) to submit speaker proposals. The 'Inside MI' program seeks individuals with expertise in multimodality imaging; instrumentation and data analysis; optical imaging; ultrasound; MRI/MRS; biomarkers; gene/cell therapy; small animal imaging; infection/inflammation; radiochemistry; non-radioactive molecular imaging agents; contrast agents; and cardiology, neurology or oncology. Funded by the society's 'Bench to Bedside' campaign, 'Inside MI' will cover both travel expenses and honoraria for speakers. Proposals will be evaluated based on proposed topics and areas of interest expressed by the medical community and the public. Speakers will be identified for specific events based on topic areas and proximity; SNM staff will arrange logistical details, payment and honoraria.

To learn more about requesting an 'Inside MI' speaker-or to apply as an 'Inside MI' expert-please contact Zachary Hochstetler, MICOE program coordinator, via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at (703) 742-5498. To learn more about this program, SNM, MICOE or molecular imaging, visit the society's Web site at http://www.molecularimagingcenter.org.