Cape Town - 2026 ISMRM-ISMRT Annual Meeting and Exhibition • 09-14 May 2026

Member-Initiated Session

MRI Physicists at Work: Safeguarding Image Quality and Patient Care

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MRI Physicists at Work: Safeguarding Image Quality and Patient Care
Member-Initiated Session
AMPC
Monday, 11 May 2026
Meeting Room 2.40
16:10 - 18:00
Moderators: Jian-xiong Wang
No CME/CE Credit
Most ISMRM sessions focus on research and technological innovation, while the daily clinical practice of MRI physicists, who ensure safe, accurate, and high-quality imaging for patients, receives far less attention. Yet clinical MRI physics forms the foundation of diagnostic excellence in modern medicine. This session highlights the essential and often unseen contributions of MRI physicists, whose expertise directly affects diagnostic confidence, workflow efficiency, and patient outcomes. MRI physicists bridge scientific knowledge and clinical application. They verify scanner performance, maintain calibration, and optimize imaging protocols to deliver consistent, reliable images. Their responsibilities extend far beyond routine quality assurance, they must quickly identify and resolve complex problems that arise in clinical environments, from gradient or shim issues to subtle image artifacts that could compromise interpretation. These challenges require a combination of analytical rigor, technical insight, and creative problem-solving developed through years of experience. When system performance drifts or image quality declines, MRI physicists act as first responders. They analyze data, isolate the source of the problem, whether mechanical, electronic, or procedural—and implement solutions that restore imaging integrity. Their interventions prevent diagnostic errors, minimize scanner downtime, and safeguard the trust clinicians and patients place in MRI technology. MRI physicists also ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards. They perform system evaluations, document results, and guide institutions through complex quality control requirements. Through these efforts, they uphold safety, consistency, and accountability in clinical imaging operations. Collaboration is central to their success. Working closely with radiologists and technologists, MRI physicists refine protocols to balance image quality, scan efficiency, and patient comfort. Their teamwork improves diagnostic accuracy, streamlines workflow, and promotes a culture of shared responsibility for quality care. Despite this critical role, MRI physicists remain underrepresented in ISMRM programming, where few sessions address the realities of clinical practice. The proposed session, “MRI Physics at Work: Safeguarding Image Quality and Patient Care,” aims to highlight their professional impact through case studies, practical experiences, and quality improvement examples from around the world. This session underscores that MRI excellence depends not only on advanced technology and research, but also on the dedication, expertise, and vigilance of MRI physicists who ensure that every image meets the highest standards of patient-centered care.

16:10 - Setting-up MRI-QC Procedures for Clinical Translational Research at West China Hospital
Xiao Ji
Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Institute of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Psychoradiology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
16:30   - Practical MRI Quality Assurance: From Clinic to Research
Ali Golestani
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
16:50   - Career Path from a Clinical MRI Physicist to MRI-for-Radiotherapy Physicist
Jie Deng
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, United States of America
17:10   - The ISMRM Clinical MR Physics Study Group: Bringing International Expertise to Local Healthcare
Trevor Andrews
17:30   Collaborative Practices: Strengthening MRI Physics Integration in Clinical Operations
Lei Qin
Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America

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