"We are thankful to Digirad Corporation for this tribute to Dr. Ashburn, a brilliant physician who contributed to the advancement of nuclear medicine throughout his career," said SNM President Mathew L. Thakur, Ph.D. "This grant will help investigators in the early stages of their careers research new ideas, a fitting tribute to Dr. Ashburn, who nurtured the talents of many nuclear medicine professionals who have become prominent researchers today," said Thakur.
"Dr. Ashburn was a passionate visionary and leading contributor in the commercialization of Digirad's proprietary solid-state technology," said Gary Burbach, Digirad president and chief executive officer. "His early belief in our technology and profound dedication in developing significant medical applications has forever changed the way nuclear medicine is performed. Digirad takes great honor in sponsoring the William L. Ashburn, M.D., Pilot Research Grant to foster continued innovations in the field of nuclear medicine and pay tribute to this incredibly talented physician," said Burbach.
The society's pilot research grants support testing of innovative research ideas that have a potential to lead to major funding. Eligible applicants are U.S. or international basic or clinical scientists employed by academic and research-oriented organizations in North America. For the William L. Ashburn, M.D., Pilot Research Grant, preference will be given to proposals in nuclear cardiology or physics/instrumentation work that leads to improving the imaging of radionuclide emissions.
This grant may supplement, but not duplicate, other financial support. It will not pay institutional overhead costs or indirect costs, and no salary support will be funded. The grant will be limited to a time span of one year, and no extensions will be allowed.
SNM's grants and awards program is funded by both the Education and Research Foundation for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and the SNM Technologist Section (SNMTS) Professional Development and Education Fund. This program provides research grants and fellowships, educational scholarships and recognition awards to researchers, young investigators and students in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and nuclear medicine technology. The Education and Research Foundation for SNM has been supporting the molecular imaging/nuclear medicine community since its founding in 1969. The foundation's mission is to advance excellence in health care through education and research in molecular imaging/nuclear medicine by provision of grants and awards. "Encouraging innovative research is one of the major priorities of SNM and the foundation," said ERF President Michael D. Devous Sr., Ph.D, "and we are thankful to Digirad Corporation for honoring Dr. Ashburn with a contribution to the foundation for this grant."
For more information about this grant and application materials or to learn more about SNM, the foundation or making a contribution, please contact Kathy Bates, SNM's director of development, via phone at 703-708-9000, ext. 1028, or via e-mail at kbates@snm.org. Information is posted on SNM's Web site at http://www.snm.org/grants. All applications must be received by Sept. 15 for research projects conducted in 2006. SNM will notify the grant recipients in December 2005.
About the Society of Nuclear Medicine
The Society of Nuclear Medicine is an international scientific and professional organization of more than 16,000 members dedicated to promoting the science, technology and practical applications of molecular imaging/nuclear medicine. Annually, more than 16 million men, women and children need noninvasive molecular/nuclear medicine procedures. These safe, cost-effective, procedures include positron emission tomography (PET) scans to diagnose and monitor treatment in cancer, cardiac stress tests to analyze heart function, bone scans for orthopedic injuries and lung scans for blood clots. Patients undergo procedures to diagnose liver and gall bladder abnormal function and to diagnose and treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. SNM is based in Reston, Va.; additional information can be found online at http://www.snm.org.
About Digirad Corporation
Digirad Corporation develops, manufactures and markets solid-state, digital gamma cameras to hospitals, imaging centers and physician offices. Digirad offers a comprehensive line of solid-state nuclear gamma cameras that can be used for the detection of many medical conditions including cardiovascular disease. Digirad believes that these imaging systems produce a high-quality image and due to their lightweight and compact design, they fit easily into small office spaces. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Digirad Imaging Solutions and Digirad Imaging Systems, Digirad also offers a comprehensive and mobile imaging leasing and services program for physicians who wish to perform nuclear cardiology procedures in their offices but do not have the patient volume, capital or resources to justify purchasing a gamma camera. Digirad Corporation, Digirad Imaging Solutions and Digirad Imaging Systems are headquartered in Poway, Calif. For more information, please visit www.digirad.com. Digirad® and Digirad Imaging Solutions® are registered trademarks of Digirad Corporation. CardiusTM is a trademark of Digirad Corporation.