Azra Alizad, M.D.

Lesion stiffness has been recognized as an important factor in differentiating between malignant and benign masses. Tissue motion, which is a function of tissue stiffness, is used to produce high-resolution, high-contrast, and speckle free images. Azra Alizad, MD, is interested in medical applications of ultrasound radiation force including imaging, characterization of biological materials, and evaluation of tissue viscoelasticity. She is the principal investigator on four funded grants, including a NIH-R01grant, and co-investigator on a number of other extramural grants.

Focus areas

• Breast cancer imaging. Dr. Alizad works on medical application of the newly invented acoustic imaging modality, vibro-acoustography (VA). She and her colleagues have demonstrated that VA can be used in vivo for breast cancer detection. VA images show malignant lesions with rough textures and the presence of spiculations and microcalcifications.
• Characterization of breast masses. Dr. Alizad applies a new ultrasound based shear wave technology to characterize breast masses. Material properties of breast tissues change with disease. Therefore, characterizing breast masses would be important in breast cancer detection. Her research using combined acoustic imaging and shear wave technology is supported by the National Institute of Health.
• Thyroid cancer imaging. Improved methods for thyroid nodule differentiation are required to effectively and appropriately select suspected nodules for biopsy. Dr. Alizad is interested in application of VA for thyroid nodule imaging. She investigates the use of VA as an alternative tool to provide supplementary information to existing imaging modalities.
• Characterization of thyroid nodules. Pre-biopsy assessment of thyroid nodules is a critical step in selection of lesions to be biopsied. Dr. Alizad investigates characterizing thyroid nodules by using an ultrasound tool to measure elasticity and viscosity as well as 2D-shear wave imaging.
• Quantitative assessment of infant bone by ultrasound method. Dr. Alizad works to develop a new noninvasive quantitative ultrasound (QUS) method for bone health monitoring in infants, in particular, for identification of the risk group and management of necessary therapy.

Significance to patient care

• Successful completion of Dr. Alizad's research project on human breast using the collective information from combined acoustic imaging and shear wave technology will lead to noninvasive ultrasound tools for improving the specificity of breast cancer detection and monitoring breast cancer response to chemotherapy.
• Successful completion of Dr. Alizad's research projects on thyroid patients using VA imaging (supported by AIUM) and shear wave technology will open the way for new class of diagnostic tools for thyroid evaluation and reduce unnecessary biopsies.
• Successful completion of Dr. Alizad's research project on the development of a noninvasive "QUS" technique will have significant impact on osteopenia of prematurity and other pathologic conditions in infant bone.

Professional highlights:

• Member, Scientific Peer Review panel for NIH since 2009
• Member, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Women In Cancer Research (WICR), Minorities In Cancer Research (MICR)
• Member, Awards Committee, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR-MICR)
• Fellow, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM)
• Member, Editorial Board, The Open Acoustics Journal