Congratulations! R&E Grantee Receives First R01 Grant

$1 Million NCI Award Enables Research on Digital Breast Tomosynthesis

Two-time R&E grant recipient, Despina Kontos, Ph.D., is proof that seed funding, a strong support network, and hard work can pay off big with NIH success.

Then: 

• 2006 Agfa Corporation/RSNA Research Fellowship in Basic Radiologic Sciences
• 2007 Siemens Medical Solutions/RSNA Research Fellow Grant
• 2010 RSNA Clinical Trials Methodology Workshop

Now:  

• 2012-2016 NIH R01 Grant Totaling $1,052,440 "Effect of Breast Density on Screening Recall with Digital Breast Tomosynthesis”

Dr. Kontos will compare the effect of breast density and overall breast parenchymal complexity on the recall decision in breast cancer screening with digital mammography versus digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). In addition, she proposes development of a breast complexity index that could be used as an imaging marker to identify women that can benefit most from DBT screening.

The R&E Foundation thanks Agfa HealthCare and Siemens Healthcare for their support of the critical seed grants and preliminary data that led to this successful NIH project.

 

"I am really thrilled, as this is my first R01 and signifies a major milestone for my research and career development. I am very grateful for the support of the RSNA, as it has been instrumental in achieving this goal, both in terms of allowing me to generate preliminary data through my early RSNA Research Fellow grants, and also with the RSNA Clinical Trial Methodology Workshop, during which I developed the protocol for this R01 submission."