Ball's predictions might sound a bit optimistic for a department which was only approved by UC's Board of Trustees in late November and is still awaiting final approval for the various undergraduate and graduate degrees to be offered. However, he bases his predictions on his experience with the Imaging Research Center, a collaboration which began with researchers at CHMC and UC engineers and medical researchers in 1993. When the center opened, I used to worry about who would use it. Now, we're busier than I ever imagined we could be. Ball uses advanced medical imaging techniques to understand brain metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases in children.
Pathology is a very complex process.
It involves changes in anatomy, blood flow, water distribution, and metabolism. Before 1990, we could only look at anatomy. With advanced imaging, we can begin to look at other pieces of the puzzle. We can learn more about the disease. The center at Children's eventually spawned a related adult medical imaging center in the College of Medicine further increasing the opportunities for medical breakthroughs.