jiadi Xu, MS, PhD

Dr. Jiadi Xu is a magnetic resonance (MR) physicist with experience in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRI technology development. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to designing, implementing, and translating innovative MR pulse sequences and quantitative imaging methods across a wide range of biological systems, from small-animal models to large animal studies and human clinical applications. His research is to develop noninvasive MRI technologies that provide sensitive and quantitative biomarkers of tissue metabolism, microstructure, and physiological function for neurological and systemic diseases.

His current research program centers on three complementary MRI technologies. The first is the development of advanced chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI methods for probing tissue metabolism and molecular composition. A major focus of Dr. Xu’s work has been the development of phosphocreatine (PCr) and creatine (Cr) CEST imaging for quantitative assessment of cellular energy metabolism in both skeletal muscle and the human brain.

The second major focus of his laboratory is the development of noninvasive spin-labeling MRI techniques to investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) physiology and glymphatic function. He has pioneered several endogenous spin-labeling approaches, including methods for quantifying CSF secretion, tissue-CSF exchange, and CSF circulation without the use of exogenous contrast agents.

The third area of his research focuses on arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI for quantitative vascular imaging, particularly in preclinical animal models.

View all trials by this principal investigator.