Center for Molecular Imaging & Bioengineering

About the Center

The mission of the Center for Molecular Imaging and Bioengineering (CMIB) is to integrate novel molecular imaging methods and state-of-the-art bioengineering tools to revolutionize the way Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) approaches cancer research. In uniting these transformational fields, we aim to answer fundamental questions in cancer biology and rapidly translate preclinical discovery into clinical application — ultimately improving cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.

The center is founded on the principle of multidisciplinary translational research and supports faculty from diverse areas pursuing technology-based methods. CMIB encourages collaborative integration across the cutting-edge research environment at MSK, empowering scientists and clinicians alike by providing them with the tools necessary to pursue their most challenging ideas.

Featured News

• Cancer Engineering: The Convergence of Engineering and Health to Advance Cancer Research and Care Workshop in DC
• Gianfranco Yee is a Hertz Foundation Fellowship Award recipient
• MSK’s New Cancer Engineering PhD Program Is First of Its Kind
• How Reprogrammed Immune Cells Can Use Fructose To Fight Cancer

Members

Under the leadership of biochemist and bioengineer Kayvan R. Keshari, CMIB promotes the expansion and application of technological capabilities, creating a new approach to cancer research and propelling MSK to the forefront of cancer engineering.

To achieve our goals, CMIB fosters deep ties between technology experts and faculty by establishing multidisciplinary teams with diverse but interrelated projects directed toward the common goal of applying molecular imaging and engineering principles to transformative questions — and unmet patient needs — in oncology.

We invite faculty working in cancer biology, medicine, chemistry, developmental biology, physics, radiochemistry, immunology, genomics, pharmacology, computational oncology, and engineering to join our center. To reach out for collaboration opportunities or for more information about the CMIB, contact us at [email protected].

Internal Advisory Committee

Our internal advisory committee comprises the following MSK leaders:
 

Jason S. Lewis

Deputy Director, Sloan Kettering Institute – Office of Science Education and Training (OSET); Emily Tow Chair in Oncology

Anna-Katerina Hadjantonakis

Chair, Developmental Biology Program, SKI; Alfred P. Sloan Chair

Michael Overholtzer

Dean, Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School

Daniel A. Heller

Member, Molecular Pharmacology Program, SKI

Hedvig Hricak

Emeritus

Research

At the Center for Molecular Imaging and Bioengineering we develop and support novel technologies aimed at transforming capabilities in cancer research and care. We build tools and create methods that push the current limits of cancer imaging and detection. In additional to hands-on development, we financially support pilot grants for interdisciplinary research projects focused on cancer-specific bioengineering. We bring together engineers, physicists, cancer biologists and clinicians to create innovative solutions that both leverage currently strong research programs at MSK and forge into the less developed research directions. In doing so, we hope to strengthen the existing core facilities with cutting edge technologies, bring novel bioengineering tools to the clinic and invite more cancer engineers to join the MSK research community.  

Outreach

CMIB is involved in numerous outreach programs that aim to create opportunities for education, collaboration and training. We support the Cancer Engineering seminar series that brings world-renown speakers who share insights from their work on novel developments in cancer-focused bioengineering. We organize the Cancer Engineering Research in Progress seminar series that offers students and postdocs opportunities to present their work, get suggestions from peers and identify ideas for collaboration. Our summer programs for college students offer unique research opportunities for young scientists that allow them to develop novel skills and gain experiences that help them decide the next steps in their careers. Overall, CMIB outreach brings together interdisciplinary scientists at different stages of training and aims to create a vibrant, collaborative cancer engineering community.

Awards

To disseminate and cultivate imaging and engineering sciences into cancer biology research at MSK, CMIB sponsors pilot research grants and has established a technology fund to support lab heads and core facilities with acquiring advanced tools and technological resources.

2025 CMIB Technology Pilot Research Grant
Justin Perry, PhD
“Targeting macrophage degradation of apoptotic tumor cells to boost innate immunity against cancer” 

 

2025 CMIB Trainee Award
PI: Jan Grimm, PhD and Trainee Elisa Chazeau PhD 
“A Universal Theranostic Agent”

Education

CMIB is committed to training young scientists in the field of cancer engineering through numerous programs. We partner to provide opportunities to undergraduate students to experience what cutting edge cancer research is like with summer programs. CMIB works with graduate students in the GSK Cancer Engineering PhD program and provides fellowships to students at other institutions. We also participate in initiatives to bring cancer engineering opportunities to young scientists in underrepresented groups. 

Featured Publications