Riccardo Lattanzi, PhD

My research lies at the boundaries between physics, engineering, and medicine. I investigate fundamental principles involving the interactions of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields with biological tissue in order to develop new techniques and technologies to improve the diagnostic power of MRI.

My research group investigates performance limits in MRI, such as the ultimate intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which is the theoretically largest SNR for a given imaging task. Our broad aim is to gain physical insight in order to develop new MRI technology that achieves nearly optimal performance.

Another area of interest is the application of quantitative magnetic resonance–based biochemical imaging to the assessment of articular cartilage in order to improve accuracy. In particular, my colleagues and I have developed new techniques to translate quantitative MRI into routine clinical evaluation of femoroacetabular impingement, a medical condition for which early detection of cartilage damage could delay or prevent the onset of hip osteoarthritis.

A more recent research focus is the development of new methods for noninvasive mapping of electrical properties using MRI measurements. Knowledge of internal electrical information could enable the prediction of RF field behavior inside the human body. Understanding precisely how RF power is distributed would allow us to unleash the full potential of any MR scanner without exceeding safety limits, thereby optimizing MRI performance.

Furthermore, this work addresses a long-recognized need for electrical tissue characterization, which could have a significant impact in other areas. For example, electrical properties could be employed as biomarkers for cancer (and other pathologies) or for reliable hyperthermia treatment planning.