Division of Imaging Sciences

For well over 20 years, biomedical imaging research has expanded and flourished at five sites in London that are affiliated with Western University. During the past two decades, London’s biomedical imaging investigators have become known internationally for their research, training and particularly, as a model for developing a cohesive research program involving multiple institutions. The Biomedical Imaging Research Centre (BIRC) integrates biomedical imaging research at two research institutes (Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute), London’s hospitals, twelve basic science and clinical Departments at Western in the Faculties of Medicine & Dentistry, Health Sciences, Science, and Engineering.

BIRC is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional group comprised of close to 400 personnel, including scientists, engineers, physicists, students, and support staff in London, Ontario, Canada. The imaging research groups are tightly integrated with the major hospitals in London, enabling the discovery and development of innovative imaging techniques and instrumentation to improve the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. The group as a whole has a research infrastructure valued at over $100 million.

BIRC is focused on the discovery and development of innovative imaging techniques and instrumentation to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases. Under the umbrella of BIRC, biomedical imaging research in London is now a highly integrated program covering all major imaging modalities and biomedical applications, which include: cardiovascular Imaging; imaging in neurosciences & mental health; neonatology & pediatric imaging; musculoskeletal imaging; imaging in oncology; respiratory imaging; image-guided surgery and therapy; cellular, molecular & imaging probe development; hybrid imaging technology; and basic imaging science.

Graduate training is a priority within BIRC, and together with our partners in the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Faculty of Engineering at Western, our scientists lead and participate in four CIHR and NSERC Strategic Training Programs. These Programs are attracting some of the best graduate students to Western and providing them with the training and skills required to become outstanding independent researchers.  

BIRC investigators will continue to build on their successes, and through our Centre, will help to coordinate and accelerate the formation of research teams that cross the boundaries of Western’s Faculties and disciplines, coordinate access to the state-of-the–art clinical and pre-clinical biomedical imaging research facilities in London, increase the number and quality of graduate students in our partnered Departments, and develop and mentor promising basic and clinical investigators who are just beginning their careers. All this activity is strengthening biomedical imaging research in London, and will help Western's mission to become one of the top five research-intensive Universities in Canada.