The Image Response and Assessment Team (IRAT) serves as an end-to-end imaging partner for investigators, with a particular focus on molecular nuclear imaging for clinical trials and research studies. Our team offers the expertise, infrastructure, and regulatory support needed to design, execute, analyze, and manage imaging-based protocols from conception to completion.

Consultation and Protocol Development

IRAT helps investigators select the most appropriate PET, SPECT, and other radiotracer-based imaging methods to answer clinical questions while balancing cost, feasibility, patient burden, and trial requirements. The team participates in regular SKCCC protocol reviews through various committees and guides investigators through radiation exposure, radiotracer administration, and other nuclear imaging–related regulatory requirements prior to IRB submission.

Tumor Response Assessment

IRAT delivers state-of-the-art quantitative tumor response assessment for molecular imaging studies using accepted standards such as PERCIST v1.0, RECIST v1.1 for PET/CT, Lugano, PCWG3, and Curie.

Data Management and Infrastructure

The team offers sponsor-ready imaging data services, including image de-identification and, for MRI studies, de-facing/re-facing capabilities. A secure, partitionable DICOM archive with more than 30TB of capacity supports image storage for both in-house and multi-site imaging trials. Users also gain access to advanced analytics infrastructure, including an Nvidia DGX AI workstation with four Tesla V100 GPUs, high-performance workstations, and specialized software such as Mirada Medical, MIM Software, PMOD, and MATLAB—tools that would otherwise require substantial independent investment.

Systems Integration

Seamless integration with Johns Hopkins EPIC, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Oncology systems streamlines access to clinical imaging and treatment plans, supporting trial compliance and efficient study execution.

Led by experts in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, medical physics, image processing, and quantitative analysis, IRAT gives researchers a powerful resource for translating molecular nuclear imaging concepts into rigorous, compliant, and high-impact clinical research.

Contact Information

Martin Lodge, PhD, Resource Director
email: [email protected]

Jeffrey Leal, BA, Lab Manager
email: [email protected]

Ayon Nandi, MS. Asst. Lab Manager
email: [email protected]

The IRAT lab is located at:

Suite 300
550 North Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205

[email protected]
Visit our website.

We are immediately adjacent to the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center.

Please note that in-person meetings in the IRAT are by appointment only. Please email a team member or the general lab email above to arrange an in-person meeting.