On September 18, the Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology (SIBET), Chinese Academy of Sciences,successfully held the 32nd BMEF Keling Academic Forum. The event was chaired by Prof. Gao Xin of SIBET and featured a keynote lecture by Prof. Perry J. Pickhardt from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, drawing nearly 40 researchers and graduate students.
Prof. Gao Xin opened the forum by warmly welcoming Prof. Pickhardtand expressing gratitude for his participation. He briefly outlined the forum’s objectives to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and acknowledged the speaker’s distinguished research background in medical imaging innovation.
Prof. Pickhardt delivered a compelling lecture titled “AI-enabled Opportunistic CT Screening: Adding Value Beyond the Clinical Indication.” In his presentation, he explored the innovative concept of “opportunistic CT screening”—using artificial intelligence to extract additional health insights from CT scans originally taken for a specific clinical reason, such as abdominal pain. He explained that advancements in AI and the growing availability of large-scale CT datasets have made this efficient, multi-purpose screening approach viable. The method allows for the simultaneous evaluation of various health indicators related to aging and cardiometabolic risk, including osteoporosis, hepatic steatosis, and atherosclerosis. Prof. Pickhardt emphasized that systematic analysis of these CT-derived biomarkers can match the performance of current clinical standards in assessing biological age and predicting future adverse health outcomes, such as heart attacks, underscoring its significant potential for precision medicine and enhanced healthcare delivery.
Following the lecture, Prof. Pickhardt engaged in a lively and in-depth discussion with the audience, addressing questions related to AI algorithms, clinical implementation, and future research directions.
To conclude the forum, Prof. Wu Chengtie, Director of SIBET, presented Prof. Pickhardt with a printed copy of the BMEF journal. He expressed his hope for sustained and deepened collaboration between their institutions to drive future breakthroughs in related research fields.
"Innovating biomedical engineering for the betterment of human life and health," SIBET is dedicated to elevating the "BMEF Academic Forum" into a globally recognized intellectual platform, fueling the rapid development towards a world-class institution. This aims to propel advancements at the forefront of science and technology, thereby underpinning the attainment of "four premier statuses: Leading in tech and science progress, nurturing innovation talent, creating top research think tanks, and building elite institutes globally" and the strategic objectives of "accelerated innovation, accelerated growth, and concerted efforts," thereby solidifying our commitment to excellence.
About Professor Perry J. Pickhardt
Dr. Perry J. Pickhardt is currently a Professor of Radiology and Chief of Gastrointestinal Imaging at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health.Colonography and colorectal cancer screening continue to be among Dr. Pickhardt’s clinical and research interests, along with machine learning/artificial intelligence, oncologic imaging, and opportunistic CT screening.
Dr. Pickhardt has published more than 500 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, with an H-index of 100 and an i10 index of more than 400. As a principal investigator, he has chaired several NIH R01 funding projects, authored more than 100 book chapters and textbooks, and delivered more than 500 guest lectures. Among other honors, he has received seven best paper awards at the Annual Meeting for the Society of Abdominal Radiology and was named the “Most Influential Radiology Researcher” by auntminnie.com in 2016 and again in 2023, and won the American Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) Gold Medal in 2024.
Commemorative Photo: Presenting the BMEF Journal
