Molecular Imaging in Medicine (MIM)

The Emory Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences is renowned for excellence in all subspecialties of radiology with residency training offered in both diagnostic radiology (DR) and nuclear medicine (NM), certified by the American Board of Radiology and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine, respectively. The Molecular Imaging in Medicine (MIM) Track takes advantage of this infrastructure to offer a combined diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine molecular imaging residency track, resulting in dual board eligibility/certification, allowing residents to take full advantage of the training opportunities available to best prepare them for careers in molecular imaging.

The Emory MIM Track allows for at least 32 months of diagnostic radiology training and 16 months of nuclear medicine training. The MIM pathway allows for both a four-year (MIM4) and a five-year (MIM5) program in order to provide flexibility and to accommodate a wide variety of resident motivations for pursuing such a combined program. In an effort to prepare scientists who will not only practice but also advance molecular imaging and medicine, the MIM5 program includes a significant research component with additional dedicated research time and flexible (flex) time, which can be spent in diagnostic radiology or nuclear medicine research or didactic coursework. In contrast, the MIM4 program offers less flex time and no dedicated research time.

With regards to research, please note that the resident's primary responsibility is to clinical training and if this is not proceeding appropriately, the ramifications may include (but are not limited to) loss of research electives, assignment of flex months to remedial clinical rotations, and/or removal from the MIM5 track program.

We provide an opportunity for approximately two residents per year to enter the MIM5 Track program and two additional residents to enter the MIM4 Track program. These programs aim to provide comprehensive clinical training in both diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. The MIM5 program additionally allows for a substantial research component during residency.

MIM residents who plan to complete a Transition Year (TY) program at Emory before beginning advanced residency training can take advantage of the opportunity to take up to two months in diagnostic radiology and/or nuclear medicine rotations in the PGY-1 year, effectively freeing up future residency training months for additional flex time. MIM5 residents also can engage in a molecular imaging core rotation in the transition year, which is primarily aimed at identifying a faculty mentor to help guide future research endeavors.

A full program description is available in our dedicated MIM Resident Handbook.

Resident applicants interested in our Molecular Imaging in Medicine Track should complete our designated application, which would be reviewed by our MIM Track Committee, along with the rest of the candidate's application file.

There is a separate Match for our MIM Track. It is possible to Match to our Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program and not to our MIM Track. It also is possible to enter our MIM Track program later, after starting our Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program.

MIM Track residents benefit from these resources and more (full descriptions available in our manual):

• Facilities including but not limited to labs, classrooms, and libraries;
• Journal Club;
• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Lecture Series;
• Visiting Professors, including named lectureships, in our department;
• Research in Progress (RIPs) conferences (approximately once a week); and
• Dedicated research education rotations.

For All MIM Candidates

•     Dual Board Certification
•     Successful full-time employment in positions involving molecular imaging

Additional Criteria for MIM5 Candidates

•     Funding for research (intramural/extramural);
•     Invitations to review manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals;
•     Peer-reviewed published abstracts and/or journal articles;
•     Positive evaluation by research mentor;
•     Selection for participation in research-related activities after competitive applications; and
•     Research recognition.

Applications for the Molecular Imaging in Medicine Track should be mailed or emailed to Dr. David Brandon, Director for the Emory University Nuclear Radiology Fellowship Program and MIM Track.

To apply for the MIM Track, complete the Application Process and include the MIM Track form.

National Resident Matching Program

• Carolyn C. Meltzer, MD (Chair of Emory Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences)  
• Mark E. Mullins, MD, PhD (Vice Chair for Education)
• David Brandon, MD (Director, MIM Track)

MIM Committee

• David M. Schuster, MD (Director, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging)
• David Brandon, MD (Director, MIM Track)
• Erin Grady, MD, FACNM

As part of your nonclinical rotations, you will attend four one-week special learning modules where you will be introduced to a specific research lab and have self-directed learning. The Radiochemistry Discovery/Radiopharmacy module in the list below is mandatory, and you will choose the remaining three modules based on your interests. As a MIM4, you will have this opportunity in the fourth year. As a MIM5 you will do these rotations in your first year.

1. Precision Imaging: Quantitative, Molecular, and Image-Guided Technologies (Current Directors: Drs. David Schuster and Hui Mao)
2. Molecular Imaging Biomarker and Probe Development (Current Director: Dr. Mark Goodman)
3. Advanced Imaging Sciences (Current Directors: Drs. John Oshinski and Amit Saindane)
4. Computational Image Analysis and Guidance (Current Directors: Drs. Ernest Garcia and J. David Prologo)
5. Imaging Implementation Sciences and Integrative Imaging Informatics (Current Directors: Drs. Rich Duszak, Elizabeth Krupinski, Nabile Safdar)
6. Surgical Oncology Bio-Imaging Research Unit (Current Director: Dr. Lily Yang)