About
Professor Mark Lythgoe is a distinguished academic at University College London (UCL), where he serves as Professor of Biomedical Imaging in the Department of Imaging within the Faculty of Medical Sciences. He is the Founder and Director of the Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging (CABI) at UCL, a multidisciplinary research center hosting 12 state-of-the-art imaging modalities and 50 researchers. Additionally, he is Co-Director of the UCL Department of Imaging and Director of Biomedical Imaging Research at the Francis Crick Institute.
Mark Lythgoe earned his Doctor of Philosophy from University College London in 1999 and his Master of Science from the University of Surrey in 1993.
Professor Lythgoe has a long-standing track record in the development and application of biomedical imaging techniques, with research spanning from fundamental imaging science to clinical applications. His work focuses on advancing imaging technologies for biomedical research and clinical practice, with particular emphasis on neuroimaging, molecular imaging, and the application of imaging to understand neurological disorders and cancer. He has translated his research findings into clinical radiological practice and established training programs in biomedical imaging.
His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent innovation across imaging modalities, with recent work increasingly focused on the glymphatic system in neurological disorders, advanced tumor imaging techniques, and the development of novel imaging technologies for both preclinical and clinical applications. His research bridges engineering, physics, biology, and clinical medicine to solve complex biomedical challenges.
Professor Lythgoe's significant contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:
- IET Achievement Medal (2023) - for major and distinguished contribution in Medical Imaging
- Royal Society of Medicine Ellison-Cliffe Award (2021) - for contribution of fundamental science to the advancement of medicine
- Davies Medal from the Royal Photographic Society (2013) - for significant contribution to imaging science
- Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford
- Neuroscience Prize for Public Understanding from the British Neuroscience Association
- Dorothy Hodgkin Award
- Biosciences Federation Science Communication Award
- Fellow of the British Science Association
Professor Lythgoe has secured substantial research funding, with £45 million awarded for his collaborative imaging research program. He is deeply committed to training the next generation of imaging scientists, serving as Co-Director of the MSc in Advanced Biomedical Imaging and Co-Founder of the UCL Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Imaging. His public engagement efforts include directing the Cheltenham Science Festival, which has become one of the largest science festivals in the world.
As Director of the Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Professor Lythgoe leads a vibrant research team of 50 researchers working across 12 state-of-the-art imaging modalities. His center fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, physicists, biologists, and clinicians to develop and apply cutting-edge imaging technologies. He has published over 300 papers including publications in Nature, Nature Photonics, Nature Medicine and The Lancet, demonstrating the high impact of his research across multiple disciplines.
