Kevin Chen

Kevin Chen is a Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh, with a secondary appointment. His research focuses on advanced neuroimaging techniques, including MRI-based methodologies applied to neurological disorders, cancer, and tissue regeneration. He is affiliated with the Dietrich School and collaborates with the Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders and Recovery.

Research Interests
Dr. Chen specializes in developing cutting-edge imaging technologies such as fluorine-19 MRI, diffusion MRI, and molecular probes for studying brain connectivity, tumor biology, and neurodegenerative diseases. His work bridges physics, engineering, and medicine, with a focus on translational applications in oncology, neurology, and urology.

Key Research Themes

• Non-invasive imaging of immune cell infiltration in stroke and cancer
• Mesoscale brain connectivity mapping in human and marmoset models
• Novel contrast agents for bladder and spinal imaging
• Theranostic strategies combining imaging and targeted therapy

Recent Work Trends
Publications from 2023–2025 emphasize MRI innovations for studying Alzheimer’s disease, sickle cell neurocognitive impairment, and vascular dementia. His team also explores spinal cord stimulation for neurological rehabilitation and imaging-based assessment of healthy aging trajectories in non-human primates.

Labs & Collaborations
Active collaborations include the Alzheimer’s Imaging Consortium and the Pittsburgh Institute of Brain Disorders. His lab develops open-source resources for neuroscientific research and translational imaging tools.