Peter Barker serves as the Jonathan S. Lewin, M.D. Professor and director of the Magnetic Resonance Research Division at Johns Hopkins Radiology, where a highly collaborative, technically skilled team is dedicated to expanding what’s possible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS). Since joining the faculty in the late 1990s, Barker has been a leading force in the development of both translational neuroimaging and MR technique development.

The MR research division is known for its work in several different areas including brain and cardiac imaging, metabolic and cellular profiling, and the development of new MR techniques. Researchers draw on expertise across radiology and related specialties to find better ways to detect, understand, and monitor disease. With cutting-edge capabilities in quantitative imaging and molecular characterization, the team bridges preclinical research and clinical care, ensuring discoveries reach patients.

Barker also prioritizes mentoring, supporting faculty leading projects from cancer imaging to radiogenomic analysis and noninvasive brain tumor diagnostics. Grounded in innovation and teamwork, the division continues to push the boundaries of MR imaging.

Improving Prostate Cancer Diagnosis with Dual-Target Imaging

Aline Thomas, assistant professor, is advancing the early-stage development of a novel imaging strategy to improve prostate cancer diagnosis. Her work refines prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging, a game-changing tool that can still produce false positives, often due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

To address this, Thomas is developing a dual-target approach using a molecular MRI agent for CD154, overexpressed in BPH but not in prostate cancer. “If we can reduce false positives, we can give patients clearer answers and better treatment options,” she said. Drawing on her background in engineering, immunology, and molecular MRI, Thomas noted, “My work is primarily in molecular MRI with a particular focus on cancer, immunity, and inflammation and how they interact,” bringing disciplines together to create imaging biomarkers that could transform patient care.

Radiogenomics in Action: Glioblastoma Imaging and Diagnosis

Tackling one of the most aggressive brain cancers, Shanshan Jiang, associate professor, is using Amide Proton Transfer (APT) MRI to unlock new insights into glioblastoma. This advanced form of Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) imaging detects protein and peptide concentrations in brain tissue, offering a unique view of tumor biology. “By connecting what we see on imaging to the tumor’s molecular makeup, we hope to better understand and predict its behavior,” Jiang explained.

Her radiogenomic approach combines APT-MRI with genomic data to uncover patterns that could guide targeted therapies. Working closely with Neurosurgery, Jiang is refining these tools to help clinicians tailor treatments, moving neuro-oncology toward truly personalized care.

Decoding Brain Tumors with Ultra-Sensitive MRI Techniques

Blending physics, imaging, and cancer care, the group led by Georg Oeltzschner, assistant professor, is developing noninvasive tools for brain tumor diagnosis with the neuro-oncology team at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. Their work uses advanced Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to detect extremely low-concentration chemical compounds in the brain, tuning MRI to capture biochemical markers instead of anatomical images.

These signals are about 50,000 times weaker than standard MRI. Oeltzschner likens it to “taking a photo of a star in the night sky, whereas most imaging techniques function like photographing a well-lit scene in broad daylight.” By extracting biochemical data that could distinguish tumor types, their research aims to guide treatment decisions without surgery or biopsies, improving both accuracy and patient comfort.