Michael J. Potchen

Dr. Michael J. Potchen is a Board Certified Radiologist with CAQ's in Neuroradiology currently serving as Professor (Part-Time) in the Department of Imaging Sciences at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He also holds the position of Director of Diagnostic & Interventional Neuroradiology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and serves as President of the Eastern Radiologic Society. Dr. Potchen is affiliated with the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG), which consists of over 900 specialist and primary care providers spanning 19 departments and is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Dr. Potchen received his Bachelor's Degree in Physiology at Michigan State University. He completed his M.D. at Michigan State University's (MSU) College of Human Medicine and completed his Radiology Residency in Grand Rapids, Michigan through the MSU affiliated GRAMEC program. He furthered his expertise with a Neuroradiology Fellowship at Duke University. Prior to joining the University of Rochester, Dr. Potchen served in various positions in the Department of Radiology at MSU including Fellowship Director, Clinical Director and Chief of Clinical Programs. He was also Core Faculty in MSU's African Studies Center and the International Neurologic & Psychiatric Epidemiology Program.

Dr. Potchen's primary research interests focus on neuroimaging in resource-limited settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. His work centers on MRI findings in pediatric cerebral malaria and the development of imaging techniques appropriate for low-resource environments. He has been extensively involved in neuroimaging research in Malawi and Zambia since 2005, beginning with efforts to establish the Malawi MRI Facility at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Dr. Potchen developed NeuroInterp, a neuroradiologic research tool designed for use in resource-limited settings that allows for quantification of neuroimaging findings in a searchable database format. His work bridges clinical neuroradiology with global health initiatives, emphasizing the adaptation of neuroimaging technologies for settings with limited resources.

Analysis of Dr. Potchen's most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on cerebral malaria research, particularly examining brain imaging findings in children with this condition. His work spans both high-resource and low-resource imaging modalities, with significant attention to adapting MRI technology for use in developing countries. A substantial portion of his research investigates the neurological complications of HIV in African populations, particularly regarding seizure disorders. His publications demonstrate expertise in both advanced neuroimaging techniques and their practical application in challenging clinical environments across sub-Saharan Africa.

• Fulbright Specialist (2015)
• MSU Gamma Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society (2012)

Dr. Potchen has been actively involved in training physicians from Africa and Northern Europe in MRI interpretation since 1996 through institutional support as well as NIH funding. He developed a training curriculum for radiology training in Zambia for which he obtained support from the Zambian Ministry of Health in 2011. His funding includes a Dana Foundation Neuroimaging grant where he serves as Primary Investigator, as well as involvement in NIH-funded studies of acute cerebral malaria patients. Dr. Potchen has traveled extensively in sub-Saharan Africa and resides in the southern African region for several months annually to conduct his research and training activities.

Dr. Potchen has led efforts to establish and maintain the Malawi MRI Facility at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, which serves as a critical research and clinical resource. He has also been instrumental in developing NeuroInterp, a specialized neuroradiologic research tool designed for use in resource-limited settings. His work involves close collaboration with researchers and clinicians in Zambia and Malawi, creating a network focused on advancing neuroimaging capabilities in sub-Saharan Africa despite technological and resource constraints.