Bio

​B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1980M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 1981​Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1988

"Our research on high-resolution 3-D imaging aims to improve image quality for methods applicable to clinical imaging throughout the human body."

John P. Mugler, Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Mugler's main research focuses on the development and optimization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, and draws on a variety of physics and engineering principles with a strong emphasis on theoretical modeling and simulation, and on practical implementation and evaluation.

Research Interests

  • Medical and Molecular Imaging
  • Signal and Image Processing

Selected Publications

  • Hyperpolarized xenon-129 gas-exchange imaging of lung microstructure: First case studies in subjects with obstructive lung disease. J Magn Reson Imaging 2011; 33(5):1052-62. ABS Dregely I, Mugler JP 3rd, Ruset IC, Altes TA, Mata JF, Miller GW, Ketel J. Ketel S, Distelbrink J, Hersman FW. Ruppert K.
  • Simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging of ventilation distribution and gas uptake in the human lung using hyperpolarized xenon-129. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Dec 14;50:21707-12. ABS Mugler JP 3rd, Altes TA, Ruset IC, Dregely IM, Mata JF, Miller GW, Ketel S, Ketel J, Hersman FW, Ruppert K.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in clinically suspected acute transient ischemic attack and acute ischemic stroke. Circulation. 2010 Nov 16;20:2031-8. ABS Parmar JP, Rogers WJ, Mugler JP 3rd, Baskurt E, Altes TA, Nandalur KR, Stukenborg GJ, Phillips CD, Hagspiel KD, Matsumoto AH, Dake MD, Kramer CM.
  • A short-breath-hold technique for lung pO2 mapping with 3He MRI. Magn Reson Med. 2010 Jan;1:127-36. ABS Miller GW, Mugler JP 3rd, Altes TA, Cai J, Mata JF, de Lange EE, Tobias WA, Cates GD, Brookeman JR.
  • Reduction of B1 sensitivity in selective single-slab 3D turbo spin echo imaging with very long echo trains. Magn Reson Med 2009; 62:1060-66. ABS Park J, Mugler JP 3rd, Hughes T.
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Featured Grants & Projects

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques

    Our research focuses on the development and optimization of magnetic resonance imaging techniques, particularly those for rapid and three-dimensional imaging, drawing on a variety of physics and engineering principles, with a strong emphasis on theoretical modeling and simulation and on practical implementation and evaluation. Currently, our major focuses include high-resolution 3-D imaging of the brain using conventional proton-based methods and imaging and spectroscopy of the lung using hyperpolarized helium- and xenon-based methods. The comprehensive, high-resolution coverage accomplished with the techniques under development for 3-D brain imaging will provide more complete descriptions of pathological components of brain diseases, higher probabilities of detecting focal abnormalities, and more accurate quantitative evaluations of the extent of lesions. Hyperpolarized helium and xenon represent new MR-based contrast agents that are particularly well suited for imaging air spaces such as those in the lungs. This methodology provides high-resolution detailed images of the lungs that are far superior in quality to any existing clinical imaging methods.