معرفی
Erik Shapiro is a Professor and Associate Chair of Research in the Department of Radiology at Michigan State University. He leads the Molecular and Cellular Imaging Laboratory (MCIL), focusing on developing MRI, X-ray CT, and nuclear medicine techniques for molecular imaging of biological processes, regenerative medicine, and disease detection. His work integrates imaging technologies with nanomaterials, engineered proteins, and AI-driven analysis.
Shapiro holds a master’s and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by postdoctoral training in molecular imaging at the National Institutes of Health. His research spans stem cell tracking, cancer diagnostics, diabetes pathology, and tissue-engineered scaffolds. Key innovations include multi-modality contrast agents, AI-driven image analysis, and radiopaque biomedical implants for clinical monitoring.
His lab actively explores the interplay between biomaterials and biological systems, with a focus on translational applications. Recent work includes developing tantalum oxide nanoparticles for X-ray imaging and refining ethanol-based intraductal ablation for breast cancer prevention. Shapiro’s contributions bridge fundamental imaging science with clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Notable advancements include the use of clinical contrast agents for zebrafish/human hepatic studies and the design of CT-visible polymeric devices for monitoring implant degradation. His group also develops computational tools for automated cell tracking and contrast agent prediction using machine learning.
