Jonathan Lindner, MD, presented at the monthly U Ask, UVA Answers on January 11. Dr. Lindner, a resident member of the CVRC and Frances Myers Ball Endowed Professor of Medicine, was invited to participate in this lecture series which allows scientists across UVA to discuss their research with the general public. Approximately 50 people attended the talk, held at Jefferson Madison Regional Library.
In his lecture, Dr. Lindner discussed UVA’s role in developing and implementing contrast ultrasound, a technique where microbubbles are injected into a patient’s bloodstream to improve imaging in ultrasounds. “This is a UVA story,” explains Dr. Lindner. “Early first-in-human studies, safety and optimization research, and large clinical trials are all UVA work.” He also discussed how UVA continues to lead in the field by advancing new applications for contrast ultrasound and microbubbles. Dr. Lindner and other researchers are using the technology to deliver medications or genes to specific organs, diagnose disease with greater precision, and further improve the imaging potential of ultrasound methods.
Presenting to a lay audience presents unique challenges beyond making advanced science understandable to those without research experience. “You can often predict the questions a scientist will ask,” Dr. Lindner says. “Audiences who are less involved with day to day science will often ask unexpected, prescient questions that can really challenge you.” The Q & A period covered topics ranging from technology commercialization to safety considerations.
The U Ask, UVA Answers series continues February 8 with a presentation by Kelsey Johnson, PhD, from the Department of Astronomy.