Raffaella Righetti

Raffaella Righetti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, affiliated with the College of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Houston and a Dr.-Ing. from Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy, alongside an M.S. from the University of Houston. Her research focuses on advancing ultrasound imaging techniques for medical diagnostics, particularly in ultrasonic imaging of soft tissue mechanics, biomedical imaging, and poroelastography. She leads the Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory, pioneering innovations in non-invasive assessment of tissue properties for cancer, spinal injuries, and bone regeneration.

Her work has significantly contributed to ultrasound elastography, now widely used in clinical scanners, and novel poroelasticity imaging methods to assess fluid-filled tissues. Key research areas include tumor mechanics, interstitial fluid pressure, and biomechanical modeling of tissues. Recent articles highlight advancements in AI-driven ultrasound analysis (e.g., RAFT-USENet), real-time strain estimation, and in vivo assessments of spinal cord injuries and bone regeneration.

Righetti’s publications span over two decades, emphasizing precision in imaging parameters, fluid dynamics in tumors, and the integration of machine learning with medical imaging. Her lab collaborates on developing phantom materials and experimental models to enhance imaging accuracy. Despite no explicit mention of awards or grants, her extensive academic output and leadership in biomedical imaging underscore her scholarly impact.