Christopher Hess

Christopher Hess, MD, PhD is the Alexander R. Margulis Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. With over 15 years of faculty experience at UCSF, Dr. Hess has held numerous leadership positions including Chief of Neuroradiology at UCSF and the San Francisco VA, and Fellowship Director for Neuroradiology. He completed his medical and doctoral training at the University of Illinois before joining UCSF for residency and fellowship.

Education and Training:

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois (1999)
• MD, University of Illinois School of Medicine (2002)
• Internal Medicine Internship, California Pacific Medical Center (2002-2003)
• Radiology Residency, UCSF (2003-2007), serving as Chief Resident (2006-2007)
• Neuroradiology Fellowship, UCSF (2007-2008)
• Board Certified in Radiology (2007) and Neuroradiology (2009)

Research Interests:

Dr. Hess's research focuses on the translational application of advanced MR imaging techniques to understand and diagnose neurological conditions. His primary areas of investigation include vascular disease, brain development and degeneration, and epilepsy, with particular emphasis on diffusion imaging and ultra-high-field MRI methodologies. His work bridges engineering principles with clinical neuroscience to develop novel imaging biomarkers for neurological disorders.

Specializing in quantitative neuroimaging, Dr. Hess has made significant contributions to understanding neurodegenerative processes in conditions like Huntington's disease using 7T MRI. His research program investigates how advanced imaging techniques can detect early changes in brain structure and function before clinical symptoms manifest, potentially enabling earlier intervention strategies. Dr. Hess has been particularly active in developing and applying diffusion MRI and fiber tractography techniques to map brain connectivity changes in various neurological conditions.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Fellow (2023)
• International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering Fellow (2020)
• American Society for Functional Neuroradiology Fellow (2020)
• American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Fellow (2018)
• American Society of Neuroradiology Best Paper Award in Functional Neuroradiology (2006)
• Academy of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research Council of Distinguished Investigators (2020)
• UCSF Elmer Ng Award for Outstanding Resident in Radiology (2007)

Research Funding and Leadership:

As Principal Investigator and Co-PI on multiple NIH-funded projects, Dr. Hess has secured significant research support for his work in advanced neuroimaging. His current projects include 'Improved Monitoring of Premanifest and Early Huntington's Using 7T Multimodal MRI' (NIH R01NS099564) and 'Towards Baby Brain Connectome: a Study of Newborn Brain Networks' (NIH R01HD072074). As Department Chair, he oversees one of the nation's leading academic radiology departments with extensive research programs spanning multiple imaging modalities and clinical applications. Dr. Hess has been instrumental in establishing UCSF as a leader in ultra-high field MRI research, particularly in neurological applications.