Cancer imaging researcher receives highest honor from World Molecular Imaging Society

The World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS) has awarded Robert Gillies, PhD, the 2018 Gold Medal Award to honor his lifetime of research in cancer molecular imaging and cancer biology.  

Gillies received the award at the 2018 annual World Molecular Imaging Congress on Sept. 15 in Seattle, Washington, according to a WMIS press release published online Sept. 26.  

His research has delved into the development and progression of cancer, cancer treatment options, and understanding cancers as “complex, heterogeneous and dynamic systems”, according to the press release.  

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Gillies in a prepared statement. “It has been extremely gratifying to participate in the maturation of Molecular Imaging as a field, which has moved beyond an approach with just a promise to one that is delivering on that promise to improve patient outcome and our understanding of human health and disease.” 

Gillies is a chair of the Department of Cancer Physiology and vice chair of radiology research at Moffitt Cancer in Tampa, Florida. He joined Moffitt in 2008 and has also served as president of the World Molecular Imaging Society and is a founding member and chair of the molecular imaging section at the National Institutes of Health.  

“Dr. Gillies was chosen for his sustained research over decades elucidating fundamental insights into cancer biology,” said Sanjiv Gambhir, MD, PhD, from the WMIS Chair of Awards Committee. “His detailed studies involving molecular imaging tools such as MRI continue to help unravel the complex behavior of cancer. He has also championed work in which complex information regarding cancer is derived from radiology images and helps determine patient outcomes.”