Radiologist Öz begins two-year role leading NIH study section
Dr. Orhan Öz, Professor of Radiology and a member of the Nuclear Medicine Division, began a two-year position as chair of the Clinical Molecular Imaging and Probe Development Study Section in the Center for Scientific Review at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on July 1.
"I consider it a great honor to contribute to the quality of the NIH peer review process," Dr. Öz said. "This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the national biomedical research effort and give back in service to the NIH, which has funded some of my work."
As chair, Dr. Öz leads a group of individuals who have been recognized for their competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities.
Dr. Öz was invited to serve as chair because of his "mature judgment and objectivity during the review process, as well as the ability to work effectively in a group."
Although the majority of his time is dedicated to clinical practice, Dr. Öz is highly involved in research. His interests include imaging of diabetic foot infections, novel imaging probe development and evaluation, metabolic imaging, imaging pancreatic beta cells, and investigating the mechanisms underlying hormonal regulation of bone mass and metabolism.
"I'm fortunate to belong to a department that supports involvement in these types of activities," Dr. Öz said. "The time and energy I devote to leading this important study section will have a positive impact on mentoring activities of clinical faculty, scientists, and residents, and on my clinical service as I collaborate with other distinguished scientists from across the nation. On the other hand, my clinical service often informs my review of grant applications."
Among Dr. Öz’s administrative responsibilities, he serves as co-director of the Preclinical Nuclear Imaging Laboratory and the Molecular Imaging Probe Laboratory at UT Southwestern, Medical Director of Nuclear Medicine for Parkland Health & Hospital System (PHHS) as well as Chief of Radiation Safety at PHHS. He also serves on numerous committees, including Parkland’s Radiology Performance Improvement Committee, and UT Southwestern’s Radiation Safety Advisory Committee (past chair), Radioactive Drug Search Research Committee and the IRB Subcommittee on Human Use of Radiation.
Dr. Öz holds the Wechun Pak Professorship of Bone Physics.