John A. Shepherd, Ph.D.

Compared with commonly used clinical risk factors, a sophisticated type of artificial intelligence (AI) called deep learning does a better job distinguishing between the mammograms of women who will later develop breast cancer and those who will not, according to a new study in the journal Radiology. Researchers said the findings underscore AI’s potential as a second reader for radiologists that can reduce unnecessary imaging and associated costs.

Annual mammography is recommended for women starting at age 40 to screen for breast cancer. Research has shown that screening mammography lowers breast cancer mortality by reducing the incidence of advanced cancer… Continue reading.

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Breast cancer screening using mammography has drastically improved early detection and reduced the cancer mortality (1, 2). However, mammography is only able to describe the radiopacity (brightness) and morphometry (shape characteristics) of suspicious lesions. Radiologists subjectively use these visual properties when deciding if a suspicious lesion is likely to be cancerous, and it is common for cancerous lesions to be masked by overlaying texturally complex or dense normal breast tissue. Masking reduces mammography accuracy and leads to not only missed cancer findings but also uncertain diagnoses of detected lesions resulting in a tendency to biopsy lesions at perceived probabilities of malignancy as little as 2%… Continue reading.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the election of John A. Shepherd, Ph.D., to its College of Fellows. Dr. Shepherd was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows for contributions to quantitative imaging using X-ray and optical methods for characterizing risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity-related disease.

The College of Fellows is comprised of the top two percent of medical and biological engineers in the country. The most accomplished and distinguished engineering and medical school chairs, research directors, professors, innovators, and successful entrepreneurs comprise the College of Fellows. AIMBE Fellows are regularly recognized for their contributions in teaching, research, and innovation. AIMBE Fellows have been awarded the Nobel Prize, the Presidential Medal of Science and the Presidential Medal of Technology and Innovation and many also are members of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Sciences… Continue reading.