Member Spotlight: Felipe Godinez

Medical imaging caught my attention when I started thinking about biomedical engineering as a returning student at Riverside City College. As a graduate student at the University of California, Davis, I was introduced to different imaging modalities, and I found MRI to be the most sophisticated. It appealed to me because, compared to others, it had the broadest functionality and applications. The physics alone was very intriguing, and the beauty of the math and instrumentation is simply elegant. Lucky for me, I had a front-row seat to introductory courses in MRI, which were given, at the time, by the late Dr. Michael Buonocore. In addition, I was able to participate in exciting research in dynamic imaging of the wrist with Dr. Abhijit Chaudhari. Fast forward a couple of years after my Ph.D. completion, I arrived at King’s College London to work with Drs. Joseph Hajnal and Shaihan Malik on parallel transmit MR research, where I have been able to really get into the weeds of MR instrumentation.

I love the fact that MR uses radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic waves, the same kind that are used for radio communications, to probe and generate signal for imaging. I love that MR can be both simple yet complex. For example, radiofrequencies have been used in radio communications for many years, and the physics and technology are very well known; however, when applied to MR, these same radiofrequencies are the key to achieve a near-impossible task—looking inside the human body! Likewise, the math needed to process MR signals is well known, developed by the great minds that came before us. It inspires me to connect with great scientists and mathematicians of the past by building and discovering new MR imaging capabilities which can impact present and future clinical needs.

I think I have unique skills as my Ph.D. training was in positron emission tomography instrumentation, and for the past 5 years I have been doing MR instrumentation research. This combination of experiences has given me a broader prospective in engineering medical imaging hardware and applications.

I joined ISMRM to learn from others and share my own work. I wanted to be in the know of MR research worldwide. The society allows me to share my ideas rapidly and make strong collaborations with other researchers with common interests.  I really love that ISMRM creates a diverse environment for MRI research and innovation while fostering the growth and inclusion of young investigators. The plethora of topics that the society houses makes for a great opportunity of intellectual exploration, especially at the annual conferences.

My favorite study group is MR Engineering. The study group is composed of open-minded scientists who are not afraid to approach technology from other fields and adapt them to create new MR technology, which is the backbone for innovative applications and techniques. In a way, engineering gives me a sense of adventure in the discovery of solutions to solve unmet needs.

I would really like to participate in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. I believe that we can best carry out the mission of the society when we actively promote diversity in all our regular business. We can agree that two minds work better than one, but I would add that two minds with different perspectives are better than two minds with the same experience. The latter can be best had when diversity is achieved.

I am a father of 4 and love to walk up to the breakfast table as my children are getting ready for school. After walking my youngest to school, I enjoy an early morning walk with my wife as we discuss life goals and enjoy each other’s company. After our morning ritual, I jump into my research mode and begin my day with some reading and planning. Most of my work takes place in an RF lab where I have access to fancy network analyzers and RF components to build and test experimental MR hardware. The best part of being in the RF lab is having the company of great colleagues with whom I can discuss MR and RF theory. Usually the end of my day is filled with community projects and socializing at my local church.

One of my favourite activities is to mentor youth; I love to fuel and support their ambitions and academic aspirations. I also enjoy spending time training my wonderful dog, an English springer spaniel named Luna. I enjoy taking her for long walks at the park and seeing her play in the ponds. This has become a family event that we enjoy doing together. Most people don’t know that I love baking bread, and I am a fanatic of Sushi. I enjoy making and reading about Japanese cuisine.

I am the first in my family to successfully complete a Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering and become an active researcher. I hope to not be the last.