Quantitative PET pioneer receives SNMMI basic science award
Richard E. Carson, PhD, of Yale University, received SNMMI’s 2026 Paul C. Aebersold Award for contributions to PET reconstruction, kinetic modeling, and brain PET instrumentation.
Richard E. Carson, PhD, has received the 2026 Paul C. Aebersold Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
SNMMI announced the award during its 2026 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. The society said Carson is being recognized for contributions to quantitative PET imaging and nuclear medicine instrumentation.
Carson is professor of biomedical engineering and of radiology and biomedical imaging at Yale University. He is also emeritus director of the Yale PET Center.
His work includes maximum likelihood expectation maximization methods for PET reconstruction, tracer kinetic modeling techniques, and synaptic density imaging with SV2A-PET.
Carson also led the collaboration that produced NeuroEXPLORER, an ultra-high performance brain PET imaging system. Yale’s profile lists ultra-high resolution brain PET systems, PET reconstruction algorithms, and mathematical models for novel radiopharmaceuticals among his research areas.
SNMMI said Carson has published more than 450 papers and delivered more than 200 invited lectures. Yale’s profile also lists prior honors including SNMMI Image of the Year in 2024 and IEEE Fellow status in 2019.
The Aebersold Award recognizes outstanding achievement in basic science applied to nuclear medicine. SNMMI said the award was first presented in 1973 and is selected by the SNMMI Committee on Awards.
About the author
RadiologySignal.com writersEditorial Team
Radiology Signal Staff covers developments across medical imaging, radiology AI, imaging informatics, clinical research, and radiology business. The team monitors primary sources, peer-reviewed studies, company announcements, society updates, and healthcare industry news to deliver concise reporting for imaging professionals.
More from this section
Radiology PA group moves toward AAPA specialty seat
Physician Associates in Radiology says its official launch is set for July 1, following AAPA recognition that moves the group beyond special-interest status.
Final NSA rule widens radiology IDR batching
Federal agencies finalized changes to the No Surprises Act IDR process, including a lower $15 administrative fee, payer coding requirements, and expanded batching rules.
SIR enters ROOT Act debate on imaging AUC
The society joined ACR in backing legislation to restart AUC consultation for advanced imaging orders, while ASNC has urged opposition.
Physician groups pair IDR praise with enforcement warning
ACR, ASA, and ACEP said the final No Surprises Act IDR rule improves transparency and access, but warned that insurer compliance will determine whether the changes work.
CT interpretation at issue in Maine malpractice suit
The complaint says Jeffrey Robinson was discharged after a 2023 emergency CT, then later diagnosed with a spinal epidural abscess and gastro-esophageal cancer; defendants have denied the allegations.
RCR puts 2025 NHS teleradiology bill at £241M
Preliminary RCR census data show the UK spent £362M on short-term radiology fixes in 2025, including £241M on outsourced scan reporting.
Contrast reaction CE series heads to ASRT Store
ASRT and Tether Supervision are developing a scenario-based course on reaction classification, rapid patient evaluation, ABC stabilization, and emergency communication.
5-day radiology elective lifts pre-residency skills
An Academic Radiology study found that a short virtual bootcamp improved fourth-year medical students’ radiology knowledge and confidence before internship.
Richmond radiology practice reports 266K-record breach
Radiology Associates of Richmond said an unauthorized actor accessed its network in July 2025, with notification letters sent to affected individuals starting May 21, 2026.
ACR presses Congress on Medicare payment floor
Dana Smetherman told a House health panel that Medicare physician payment needs a more predictable structure, while also urging action on the ROOT Act.
Greenbrier mammography shutdown draws third lawsuit
The latest proposed class action follows an FDA-ordered halt to mammography at The Greenbrier Clinic after concerns over exams performed between October 2023 and February 2026.
Lumexa Imaging reports vendor-related data incident
A vendor incident may have exposed patient identifiers, insurance information, diagnoses, visit dates, and other radiology-related health information tied to Lumexa-affiliated practices.