VA Advanced Imaging Research Center
The VA Advanced Imaging Research Center (VAARC) performs clinical translational research on medical imaging to improve the health of veterans and that of the broader community. We specialize in advanced diagnostics for neurological conditions, deployment-related illnesses, and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health.
An internationally recognized imaging research program, the VAARC consists of 35 scientists and an annual budget of more than $6 million from the National Institute of Health, Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, non-profit foundations, and industry partners. Our comprehensive research center includes:
- Participant Recruitment
- Clinical & Cognitive Assessments
- Imaging Protocol Development
- Data Acquisition, Storage, Management, Processing & Analysis
Diseases are rarely conceptualized in a single system model today. We foster a collaborative environment that accelerates translational research. Our group includes clinicians, physicists, and computer scientists who focus on developing new techniques to improve our ability to acquire and analyze data. Our informatics team facilitates the project development and management, in partnership with our administrative personnel. Through this scientific collaboration, we drive leadership and innovation that aims to better serve veterans and our community.
High Field Imaging Center
Located within VAARC and led by Joseph An Vu, PhD, MRSO. These advanced MRI technologies enable SFVA and UCSF investigators to pursue innovative studies using cutting-edge MRI systems.
Medical Imaging Informatics & Artificial Intelligence
Led by Duygu Tosun-Turgut, PhD, the MED AI Lab bridges data science and clinical biomedical imaging to find new, innovative ways to use AI and imaging for medical diagnosis.
Neural Connectivity Lab
Led by Pratik Mukherjee, MD, PhD, the lab is currently developing next generation, noninvasive imaging technologies to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with mild traumatic brain injury.
Vascular Imaging Research Center
Led by David Saloner, PhD, the lab's researchers apply advanced cardiovascular imaging techniques to a range of diseases to improve clinical management.
Collaborative Research in Skin and Sodium Imaging
VAARC also supports collaborative research investigating the role of sodium in the skin and its relationship to inflammatory skin conditions. These studies use advanced imaging and other research methods to better understand sodium storage in the skin and its potential connection to atopic dermatitis.
Learn more about the Abuabara Research Group.
Research
The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) grant aims to develop improved methods, which will lead to uniform standards for acquiring longitudinal multisite MRI and PET…
People
Directors
VAARC Steering Committee
Faculty
- Samantha Abram, PhD
- Katrina Abuabara, MD, MA, MSCE
- Linda Chao, PhD
- Stephen Conolley, DDS, MD, PhD
- Judith Ford, PhD
- Susanna Fryer, PhD
- Jessica Hua, PhD
- Sabra Inslicht, PhD
- Michael Jacob, PhD
- Yan Li, PhD
- Jing Liu, PhD
- Scott Mackin, PhD
- Daniel Mathalon, MD, PhD
- Dimitrios Mitsouras, PhD
- Susanne Mueller, MD
- Aoife O'Donovan, PhD
- Eugene Ozhinsky, PhD
Staff
- Mariam Ali
- Mark Choe
- Daisy Chow
- Sergio Guerra
- Aditya Jhajharia, PhD
- Jackie Jay-Farmer
- Jing Jiang Li
- Evan Kao, PhD
- Anthony Paneyra
- Sky Raptentsetsang
- Stephanie Rossi
- Jonas Schollenberger, PhD
- Matthew Tom
- Diana Truran
- Juliette Ward
Professional Research Scientists
- Angela Mueller, PhD
- Salvatore Torrisi, MA, PhD
UCSF Collaborators
- Matthew Amans, MD
- Steven Hetts, MD
- Jeremy Gordon, PhD
- Congyu Liao, PhD
In Memoriam
- Jerry Matson, PhD
Contact Us
VA Advanced Imaging Research Center
An (Joseph) Vu, PhD, MRSO
Director of Advanced Imaging Technologies
San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center
4150 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
Ph: (415) 221-4810 x 26387
[email protected]