Federal Project Grant Award Summary

New York University School of Medicine received a $114,562 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) under the Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health program (CFDA 93.286), effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028. This K99 award supports the development and validation of a novel diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) framework designed to address critical limitations in prostate cancer detection and risk stratification. The project integrates spin and gradient echo acquisition with propeller-based sampling to eliminate geometric distortion, improve spatial resolution, reduce scan time to under five minutes, and enable high b-value imaging within clinically feasible parameters.

The research deliverables encompass three primary aims: (1) implementation and optimization of a distortion-free DWI sequence with true high spatial resolution and high b-value acquisition; (2) development of advanced reconstruction methods using low-rank subspace modeling and deep learning to enhance image quality and calculate quantitative diffusion metrics such as Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameter maps; and (3) clinical validation through comparative evaluation of diagnostic performance in patient cohorts undergoing prostate MRI and biopsy, correlating image quality, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores, and Gleason grades with DWI-derived quantitative metrics. These innovations address critical unmet needs in prostate MRI by reducing examination time, eliminating distortion artifacts, and enabling advanced diffusion models for improved cancer tissue identification.