Daniel Vigneron

Daniel Vigneron is a Professor in the Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, and Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), School of Medicine. He holds leadership roles as Director of the UCSF Research Resource Program’s Human Imaging Core Services, Principal Investigator of the NIH/NIBIB P41 Hyperpolarized MRI Technology Resource Center, and Operations Director of the Surbeck Laboratory for Advanced Imaging. He is also a core member of the UCB/UCSF Graduate Group in Bioengineering.

• Bachelor of Arts: Wesleyan University - Chemistry, Pre-Med Studies
• Doctor of Philosophy: University of California, San Francisco - Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Research Fellow: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia
• Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar: University of California, San Francisco - Department of Radiology

Dr. Vigneron's research focuses on the development of advanced functional and metabolic MRI techniques, particularly hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI, for clinical and basic research applications in oncology and neurology. His work enables non-invasive assessment of tumor metabolism, with major applications in prostate cancer and brain tumors. He has pioneered techniques in metabolic imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and molecular imaging, contributing significantly to oncologic and pediatric imaging.

The selected publications reflect a strong trend in hyperpolarized 13C MRI, with emphasis on clinical translation, metabolic quantification, technical innovation in pulse sequences and reconstruction, and applications in prostate cancer, brain tumors, liver, and cardiac metabolism. Recent work also focuses on standardization, data sharing, and multicenter studies to advance the field.

• World Molecular Imaging Society 2014 Gold Medal Award
• Academy of Radiology Research 2013 Distinguished Investigator Award
• International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2011 Distinguished Service Award as Reviewer for Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 2009 Fellow
• American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering 2007 College of Fellow
• American Society of Neuroradiology 2007 & 2001 Outstanding Presentation Awards
• CaP Cure Foundation Prostate Cancer Research Awards (1998–2000)
• National Cancer Institute 1990 National Research Service Award
• Wesleyan University 1983 Hawk Prize in Biochemistry

Dr. Vigneron has mentored numerous graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior faculty, including serving as the PhD Junior Faculty Lead in the Department of Radiology mentoring program (2016–2020). He has been the primary mentor for six NIH K and F mentored career development grants. His research is extensively funded by the NIH, with 27 grants as PI or Co-PI, including 3 P41 center grants, 2 P01s, 2 U01s, and 18 R01s, reflecting sustained and high-impact support for his work in hyperpolarized MRI and metabolic imaging.

He leads the Surbeck Laboratory for Advanced Imaging and the Advanced Imaging Techniques Specialized Resource Group, fostering innovation in MRI technology. His team operates within the UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center and collaborates across multiple departments, integrating engineering, physics, and clinical oncology to translate advanced imaging into patient care.