Dr. Ehsan Samei, our Director of the Center for Virtual Imaging Trials (CVIT) and Chief Imaging Physicist for the Duke University Health System, was recently featured on the Smart Medicine Podcast, hosted by Dr. Ali Fatemi.
In the episode, Dr. Samei reflects on the evolution of medical physics toward Medical Physics 3.0, a framework that emphasizes quantitative, patient-centered imaging and the translation of physics innovation into meaningful clinical impact. Moving beyond a primary focus on regulatory compliance, Medical Physics 3.0 promotes imaging systems that are adaptive, data-driven, and optimized for individual patients.
A central topic of the discussion is the role of virtual imaging trials. Dr. Samei explains how simulation-based approaches can complement and extend traditional phantom and clinical studies by enabling controlled, reproducible, and scalable evaluation of imaging performance, dose, and emerging technologies. These methods are increasingly relevant for scanner development, technology assessment, and quality assurance, particularly as imaging systems grow more complex.
The conversation also explores the expanding role of AI and automation in medical imaging. Dr. Samei addresses how AI is reshaping the responsibilities of medical physicists and radiologists, emphasizing that these tools are most powerful when used to augment human expertise rather than replace it.
Finally, Dr. Samei shares advice for students, residents, and early-career scientists entering the field, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary thinking, systems-level understanding, and a strong connection between physics, engineering, and clinical practice.
Watch or listen to the full episode here.
