Research Imaging Institute

Overview of Services

The Research Imaging Institute (RII) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The RII is a research resource which maintains its own grant portfolio, while promoting collaborative projects that cross departmental and institutional boundaries. The RII is independently administered as departmental equivalent, reporting to the School of Medicine at the Health Science Center. The RII is operated as an “open door“ laboratory, allowing ready access to investigators from other departments and institutions. Through this “open door” policy, the RII has developed an outstanding portfolio of inter-disciplinary, collaborative grants and a large and growing network of collaborators on a world-wide basis.

Mission 
The mission of the RII is to perform basic, clinical and translational research using noninvasive, biomedical imaging methods for measuring the structure and function of living organisms. Neuroscience research is given highest priority.
History. The RII was created in 1991 with authorization from the University of Texas Board of Regents, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Texas State Legislature. Facilities funding was provided from a variety of philanthropic sources, with the Ross Perot Foundation making the largest donation ($10 million). The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense jointly contributed funds for instrumentation. Operating funds were provided by a Special Project appropriation from the Texas State Legislature. After a successful performance review by the THECB, the RII was a made a permanent component of the UTHSCSA budget in 1996.

Services 
Image Data Collection, Image Data Processing, Biomedical Image Analysis, Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing, Imaging Science Consultation, Behavioral Testing

Resources 
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emmision Tomography (PET), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Biomedical Image Analysis, Radiochemistry Facilities, Event Related Potential Laboratory, Mock MRI scanner (MRI Simulator)

Leadership 
From its inception, the RII has been directed by Peter T. Fox, M.D.
Organization. The RII is organized by Divisions.
Divisions: Positron Emission Tomography (Paul Jerabek, Chief); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Geoffrey Clarke, Chief); Biomedical Image Analysis (Jack Lancaster, Chief); Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Felipe Salinas, Chief); and Event Related Potentials (To-Be-Determined, Chief).

Access 
Access to the RII’s research resources is on a collaborative basis. To discuss potential collaborations, interested investigators should contact an RII Division Chief or faculty member. Projects are subject to review by the Utilization Review Committee.

Leadership

Fox, Peter T. M.D.|Director

Lancaster, Jack Ph.D.|Assistant Director

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

1. UT Health Science Center Research Institute

Contacts

Map