Christopher R. Johnson, Director
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute
University of Utah
http://www.sci.utah.edu

Biomedical Computing and Visualization

Computers have changed the way we live, work, and even recreate. Now, they are transforming how we think about and treat human disease. In particular, advanced techniques in biomedical computing, imaging, and visualization are changing the face of biology and medicine in both research and clinical practice. The goals of biomedical computing, imaging and visualization are multifaceted. While some images and visualizations facilitate diagnosis, others help physicians plan surgery. Biomedical simulations can help to acquire a better understanding of human physiology. Still other biomedical computing and visualization techniques are used for medical training. Within biomedical research, new computational technologies allow us to "see" into and
understand our bodies with unprecedented depth and detail. As a result of these advances, biomedical computing and visualization will help produce exciting new biomedical scientific discoveries and clinical treatments. In this talk, Dr. Chris Johnson will discuss the state of the art in biomedical computing, medical imaging, and visualization research and present examples of their important roles in cardiology, neuroscience, neurosurgery, and radiology.

Bio: Professor Johnson directs the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute at the University of Utah, where he is a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and holds faculty appointments in the Departments of Physics and Bioengineering. His research interests are in the areas of scientific computing and scientific visualization. Dr. Johnson founded the SCI research group in 1992, which has since grown to become the SCI Institute employing over 100 faculty, staff and students. Professor Johnson serves on several international journal editorial boards, as well as on advisory boards to several national research centers. Professor Johnson has received several awards, including the NSF Presidential Faculty Fellow (PFF) award from President Clinton in 1995 and the Governor's Medal for Science and Technology from Governor Michael Leavitt in 1999. In 2003 he received the Distinguished Professor Award from the University of Utah. In 2004 he was elected a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and in 2005 he was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Friday, March 31, 2006
2:00 – 3:00pm
Room 203, Ricketts Building