Awarded in 2009
Home Department: Bioengineering
Faculty Advisors: Craig Levin (Radiology) and Jim Harris (Electrical Engineering)

Research Title: A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Neuro Insert for Combined PET/Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Research Description: Positron emission tomography (PET), which uses an injected radioactive tracer that is later imaged by a large scanner to investigate molecular processes inside the body, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can see the physiological and morphological features of the brain, are among several clinical imaging methods used to investigate the brain. Peter was developing a new PET clinical scanner that brings these two technologies together for simultaneous imaging for the brain to make very sensitive maps of the deposition of the Amyloid beta precursor protein. This can be used to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy of novel drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

Peter is a Principal at First Spark Ventures, a deep tech venture fund in Menlo Park investing in breakthrough technologies that make the world healthier, safer, and more productive.