The wait is over! Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 MGRI Image Awards. We received 60 images from 17 departments, units and centers across Mass General this year.
Now we present to you the winners of the 2023 MGRI Image Awards!
A Closer Look Winner
Fueling the Fight: Glutamine’s Critical Role in Brain Tumor Metabolism
The role of astrocytes in the spread of tumor cells from breast cancer to the brain has been unclear. Here we show reactive astrocytes (yellow) rushing in to support tumor cells by providing Glutamine synthetase (red), a critical protein to support growth that the tumor cells lack.
Submitted by Sonu Subudhi, PhD, who works in radiation oncology in the lab of Rakesh K. Jain, PhD, (Edwin Steele Labs).
They work on improving the delivery and efficacy of anti-cancer therapeutics by normalizing the tumor microenvironment.
In his free time, Dr. Subudhi likes to socialize with friends and play racing games on his PlayStation.
Mixed Media Winner
Imaging the Brain
This illustration reflects my awe in learning how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to visualize the brain. The development of low-field portable MRI devices provides the opportunity to expand accessibility in neurological care, enabling us to discover the landscape of the brain beyond the limitations of a traditional MRI system.
Submitted by Jennifer Guo, a clinical research coordinator working in the lab of William T Kimberly, MD, PhD, at the Center for Genomic Medicine. They seek to identify the underlying causes of secondary brain injury, and to translate these fundamental discoveries into diagnostic tools and new therapies.
Science as Art Winner
A Living Puzzle
A tumor biopsy from a patient diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Various colors have been employed to distinguish specific cells within the biopsy. Notably, tumor cells are indicated in cyan.
Submitted by Daniel Ruiz, MD, a research fellow in the lab of Shannon Stott, PhD. The Stott lab’s research involves leveraging microfluidics to drive biomarker discovery in cancer.
Outside of the lab, Daniel loves to ride his bicycle and do artsy things. He has an Instagram account with his artwork: @yourartsyside.
Humans of MGRI Winner
It Takes Two
From left to right are nurse practitioner Madeline Macaluso, and plastic surgeon Linda Lee, MD, working in synchrony in the operating room. This image visually emphasizes the critical role of teamwork and coordination in every surgical procedure.
Submitted by TJ Danenza, a content media manager in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, at Mass Eye & Ear.
Outside of content management, TJ spends his free time at the gym to clear his mind and focus on his health and fitness. When not at the gym, he is either at home cooking, or spending nights out at a local concert or comedy show.
Across the Bridge
The Arms Wide Open
Standing tall with two outstretched arms is an innovative, in-house-designed, and 3D-printed surgical guide that has been meticulously engineered to provide precise and patient-specific solutions for ankle injuries. This image captures a pivotal moment during the meticulous curing of the 3D-printed product, as it undergoes a controlled process in an oven heated to 167°F under the illuminating glow of UV lights.
Submitted by Bedri Karaismailoglu, MD, PhD, a European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT)-certified orthopedic surgeon working at Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Turkey. He serves as the director of CAST Lab (Cerrahpasa Research, Simulation, and Design Laboratory), focusing on integrating 3D technologies into healthcare. CAST is a close collaborator of FARIL (Foot and Ankle Research and Innovation Laboratory) at MGH. Both labs are actively involved in numerous projects related to 3D printing and patient-specific instrumentations.
Outside of his work, Dr. Karaismailoglu enjoys reading, traveling, and playing soccer with his two sons.
MGH Collaborator PI: Soheil Ashkani-Esfahani, MD, Director at FARIL-MGH
The People's Choice Winner
Lightning of the Mouse Brain
A 3D representation of the white matter pathways in a nine-week-old mouse. Created with diffusion tensor imaging—a process that uses the diffusion of water molecules to generate contrast—and obtained with a 4.7 preclinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. The colors represent the directions of the nerve fibers. The two antenna-like structures on the left side of the image are the olfactory nerves, and the red region on the right side is the cerebellum.
Submitted by Alpen Ortug, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow in Emi Takahashi’s Lab at the Radiology Department in the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging. She employs cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques to investigate white matter connectivity in the developing brain.
With a focus on clinically relevant neuroimaging, she aims to address translational research questions on neurodevelopmental disorders as well as identifying potential neuroimaging biomarkers.
Outside the lab, you can find her at the beach or anywhere near the ocean during the summer—she loves every city by the sea! Dr. Ortug also enjoys horseback riding and tries to make the most of her time in Boston.
Honorable Mention
Tiny Dancers: Cilia in Cross Section
A cross section view of cilia, hair-like structures on the surface of cells that act like tiny machines, constantly beating in coordinated waves. Their primary job is to move substances through tubes in your body.
Submitted by Maxwell Roth, MD, who works in the Department of Pathology in the lab of Martin Selig. Dr. Roth’s research goal is to understand the relationships between cell structure, function and physiology.
Outside of the lab, Dr. Roth likes to go out to eat, hang with friends and make cocktails!
Honorable Mention
The Universe Inside Your Brain
An interaction between astrocytes and synapses, which may point to the potential underlying mechanisms of early synapse loss and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
Submitted by C. Zachary Klein, who is a research technician from the Department of Neurology, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Zachary’s Supervisor is Raquel Taddei, MD, PhD, and they work under the Principal Investigator Teresa Gomez-Isla, MD, PhD. They investigate the neurobiology of normal aging, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
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