Meng Yin, Ph.D.

The purpose of this research is to use advanced 3D kidney MRE imaging for detecting or characterizing hepatorenal syndrome processes, providing capabilities unavailable with other imaging techniques or serum biomarkers.

The purpose of this study is to assess the diagnostic performance of advanced multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance cytometry (MRC), and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) approaches for integratively distinguishing steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis of the liver in 40 patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of 3D vector MRE in predicting hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and validate its potential to substitute surveillance EGD (“virtual EGD” with risk probabilities output).

The purpose of this study is to develop multiparametric magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) imaging protocol to comprehensively characterize tissue microenvironment and microstructure along the liver-pancreas-adipose axis in a longitudinal study of 150 clinical NAFLD patients who had no diabetes (N=50), prediabetes (N=50), and diabetes (N=50). We expect to have 1-year follow-up examinations on at least 120 NAFLD patients assuming a 20% withdraw rate.  

 The purpose of this study is to implement a free-breathing hepatic MRE technique capable of being performed in as little as 0.8 seconds per slice which could significantly reduce the breath-hold requirements for typical MRE exams, establish a rapid imaging protocol, and improve clinical patient throughput.