# Development and Translation of Hyperpolarized C-13 Prostate Cancer MRI Methods

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $38,229

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The proposed Diversity Supplement project aims to develop new MR detector hardware to enable a new
direction in the clinical management of prostate cancer. African-American men have the world's highest
incidence of prostate cancer and a more than two-fold higher mortality rate compared with whites. Also,
African-American men have twice the risk of non-Hispanic whites for presenting with advanced-stage prostate
cancer. This means that it is critical to identify and stage aggressive, advanced prostate cancer accurately in
this under-represented population. The parent grant is focused on improved MR molecular imaging of primary,
organ-confined prostate-cancer and detecting response to therapy in bone and liver (distant) metastases. The
proposed research in this diversity supplement, is within the scope of parent grant, but will be focused on
developing novel 13C/1H RF detector hardware and methods for increased HP [1-13C]pyruvate & 1H mpMRI
sensitivity and coverage to detect aggressive cancers within the prostate and local spread to the prostatic bed
& adjacent lymph nodes. This is of particular relevance for African-American patients who more often present
with advanced stage disease that has extra-capsular spread beyond the prostate and to nearby lymph nodes.
As shown in his attached biosketch, the candidate is a highly motivated, successful trainee who meets the
eligibility criteria and will benefit greatly from this diversity supplement in terms of his research, education, and
efforts to promote diversity. This award will clearly enable the candidate to promote diversity within the Joint
Bioengineering Program at UC Berkeley and UCSF with currently only a small number of African-American
students, and ultimately science nationally to expand the number and input of under-represented minority
scientists especially in the field of Bioengineering. He has been highly active in promoting diversity currently as
a UC BioE graduate student. He is a member of Black Graduate Engineering and Science Students (BGESS)
and benefiting the community through the East African High School Outreach Program at UC Berkeley. The
diversity supplement career development plan is designed to expand the scientific knowledge and independent
research capabilities of the candidate. The goals are to: 1) Improve knowledge and research skills in MR
hardware and acquisition methods; 2) Learn patient study design and conduct; 3) Statistical and clinical study
considerations; and 4) Grant and scientific writing skills leading to the submission of a Ruth L. Kirschstein
National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-
Related Research (Parent F31 - Diversity) in the second year (12/8/21 or 4/8/22).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10237842
- **Project number:** 3U01EB026412-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeremy William Gordon
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $38,229
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-17 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10237842

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10237842, Development and Translation of Hyperpolarized C-13 Prostate Cancer MRI Methods (3U01EB026412-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-02 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10237842. Licensed CC0.

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