Ronald D. Watkins

Current Role at Stanford

My current position is Senior Research Associate in the Radiological Sciences Laboratory and the Molecular Imaging Laboratory in the Department of Radiology at Stanford School of Medicine. I provide hardware, systems, and general technical support for a large group of Faculty members and many students and post docs in the development of advanced medical imaging, metabolic imaging and image-guided interventions. My training background is primarily in RF and electrical engineering and I have spent more than 25 years in the commercial diagnostic imaging industry. Most of the projects I am currently working on involve instrumentation for metabolic imaging using magnetic resonance of hyperpolarized carbon nuclei. I am also involved in the development of Hybrid systems that combine Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance imaging. Other projects I am involved in use focused ultrasound for neuro-stimulation or drug delivery via blood brain barrier. I also provide RF coil design and support for small animal imaging and various research studies. I have ongoing collaborations with many other medical research institutes and Universities around the world. I currently have 45 issued US patents and 100 pear reviewed publications.