RSNA Press Release

OAK BROOK, Ill. (March 18, 2014) — Martin R. Prince, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.R., has created an endowment to the Research & Education (R&E) Foundation of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to fund the new Prince Research Resident Grant.

"Dr. Prince's generosity demonstrates an admirable dedication to his profession," said James P. Borgstede, M.D., chair of the RSNA R&E Foundation Board of Trustees. "He clearly understands that in this time of dwindling support from outside sources, funding our specialty falls squarely on our shoulders as radiologists."

As a 1991 Research Resident Grant recipient, Dr. Prince knows firsthand the importance of continuing to fund the efforts of young researchers in the field of radiology. He has been a member of RSNA since 1989, actively serving as a member of the editorial board of Radiology, one of the peer-reviewed medical journals published by the RSNA, and as a refresher course faculty member during the RSNA Annual Meeting and Scientific Assembly.

"I've realized I can have an impact that goes beyond my local institution," Dr. Prince said of creating the endowment. "I thought, what better cause could I support than the R&E Foundation, which has a great track record and with which I have personal experience?"

A professor of radiology at Weill Cornell and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, Dr. Prince divides his time equally between clinical practice and research, specializing in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He is Chief of MRI at New York Hospital and runs an active program of MR research.

"The R&E Foundation creates a pipeline of research and development, generating the necessary data to fuel technology and develop new clinical techniques," Dr. Borgstede said. "Dr. Prince's career exemplifies the importance of continuing to support this research."

Dr. Prince developed contrast-enhanced MR arteriography, and techniques to synchronize the center of k-space with the arterial phase of a contrast agent bolus, initially commercialized by GE as the MR Smartprep and later by all scanner manufacturers. His research also led to the development of the SmartSet hand injection system for MR angiography and bolus chase MR angiography, which has also been commercialized by all scanner manufacturers. An enthusiastic educator, Dr. Prince has authored two textbooks for radiologists.

Projects funded by R&E Foundation grants have an impact on research and clinical outcomes and cover a wide range of research and education topics. Surveys of grant recipients indicate every dollar awarded to a grantee by the R&E Foundation generates more than $40 in subsequent funding as principal or co-investigator from sources including National Institutes of Health, government agencies, corporations and private foundations. Since its inception in 1984, the R&E Foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grant awards to more than 1,000 investigators and educators.

During the current grant season, 265 applications were submitted to the Foundation. The first Prince Research Resident Grant will be awarded in the spring of 2014.

RSNA is an association of more than 53,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)