Jinyi Qi Receives Prestigious IEEE Edward J. Hoffman Medical Imaging Scientist Award

Jinyi Qi, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University of California, Davis, has received the IEEE Edward J. Hoffman Medical Imaging Scientist Award from IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society.

The annual award, named to honor the co-creator of the first human Positron Emission Tomography, or PET, scanner, celebrates outstanding innovation and research contributions in medical imaging science. It is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the field.

Qi’s research innovates high-resolution PET technologies and accompanying quantitative imaging methods for improved visualization of molecular and functional processes in the body. His work aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and enable early detection and treatment of diseases, such as cancer and dementia.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering Simon Cherry, himself a legacy bearer to Hoffman as his postdoctoral researcher at UCLA from 1990 to 1993 and as the co-creator of the uEXPLORER scanner, the first clinically approved total-body PET system, nominated Qi for the award. In his nomination, Cherry highlighted Qi’s groundbreaking contributions to statistical image reconstruction algorithms for three-dimensional emission computed tomography.

“Jinyi richly deserves this recognition, not only for his amazing research accomplishments, but also for his dedication to his trainees and his kind collegiality,” Cherry said.

Qi has mentored several outstanding researchers in the field, including UC Davis Health’s Guobao Wang, a professor of radiology. A testament to the quality of Qi’s mentorship, Wang is the 2025 recipient of the IEEE Freek J. Beekman Medical Imaging Technical Achievement Award, which honors exceptional output from mid-career researchers.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the IEEE Edward J. Hoffman Medical Imaging Scientist Award,” Qi said. “This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of many talented colleagues, students and postdocs I’ve had the privilege to work with. Their contributions continue to inspire my work toward advancing imaging technologies that can improve disease diagnosis and patient care.”

Qi formally accepted the award during the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Medical Imaging Conference, and Room Temperature Semiconductor Detectors Symposium in Yokohama, Japan, on November 6.