We see research as inseparable from clinical care. Building on the legacy of IR pioneers Dr. Charles Dotter and Dr. Josef Rösch, our work advances image-guided therapies that directly improve patient outcomes worldwide. We do this by: 

• Collaborating across specialties to drive innovation where it’s needed most
• Leading clinical trials, clinical studies and translational research to deliver targeted therapeutic tools and techniques
• Training national and international researchers through a research fellowship program
• Publishing dozens of peer-reviewed studies and earning national recognition for research excellence, including a 2025 award from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation 

Our faculty drive discovery in minimally invasive and image-guided medicine through a variety of research and studies. With support from National Institutes of Health grants R01 and R21, we are developing: 

• Organ-selective immunotherapy through image-guided intra-arterial delivery of nanoparticles in tumor models
• Organ-selective magnetic hyperthermia treatment for pancreatic cancer
• Nucleic acid biomarkers, including tumor-derived DNA and RNA, for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
• Novel theranostic nanoparticles that integrate therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities, in collaboration with Oregon State University 

We translate innovation from bench to bedside and back again. Our investigators collaborate with partners in and out of OHSU to explore gene therapy, imaging technology, embolization techniques and cancer treatments. These efforts move promising discoveries toward clinical applications. 

• We developed a chronic post-thrombotic venous stenosis model for treating deep-vein thrombosis.
• We are collaborating on organ-selective gene therapy using image-guided treatment platforms.
• We are improving angiographic image quality through artificial intelligence. 

We pursue groundbreaking research, led by nationally recognized faculty who publish dozens of peer-reviewed studies each year.

Our faculty and fellows conduct outcomes research using robust, real-world clinical datasets. These data-driven studies inform best practices and refine patient selection, safety and long-term outcomes.

Our research in interventional oncology and endovascular care advances care for kidney and liver tumors, fibroids and thoracic aortic aneurysms. 

Through multiple clinical trials, we study new devices, techniques and therapies. Many of our research projects align with these trials, helping to move promising innovations and technologies from the lab to patient care.

• Liver cancer and pancreatic cancer
• Novel biomarker response to locoregional liver cancer therapy
• Portal hypertension
• Venous occlusive disease
• Uterine artery embolization for leiyomyomas
• Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms
• Thrombus removal in acute venous thrombosis
• Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Our faculty work with multidisciplinary teams and industry partners on novel cancer therapies, embolization advances and real-world outcomes research.  

This collaborative environment is what we call “living IR”: an ecosystem that ties innovation to clinical practice. It aligns studies with active clinical trials, ensuring discoveries quickly move from concept to patient care using real-world data sets. 

We produce dozens of peer-reviewed publications annually and participate in multiple clinical studies and trials that advance the field of IR.  

Our work has been recognized with multiple awards at national and international interventional radiology meetings, including the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). 

• Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Drug-Delivery Systems: A Comprehensive Review and Integration into Interventional Oncology 
• Impact of adjunctive steroids on chronic subdural hematoma treated with surgery and MMAE: A propensity-matched study 
• Impact of Changes in Body Composition after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation on Morbidity and Mortality: A Systematic Review 
• Examination of Race and Ethnicity After Revascularization in the BEST-CLI Trial 

Explore more of our publications on PubMed.

We participate in a variety of clinical trials that study ways to advance IR treatment. Local studies include:  

• Endovascular treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysms: Studies minimally invasive techniques to improve patient outcomes
• Advanced clot removal for venous thrombosis: Evaluates procedures that restore blood flow more effectively
• New therapies and biomarkers for liver cancer: Tests embolization materials and cfRNA biomarkers to improve detection, monitoring and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (funded by the Department of Defense)
• TIPS outcomes in cirrhosis: Examines how transhepatic intrajugular portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement affects body composition and clinical outcomes in patients awaiting liver transplant
• Cryoablation for Morton’s neuroma: Compares ICE-Seed cryoablation with injection therapy for treatment 

• PE-TRACT trial for pulmonary embolism (NIH funded): Compares catheter-directed clot removal with medical therapy to evaluate heart and lung outcomes after pulmonary embolism
• STARBORN trial for pediatric lymphatic malformations: Studies the safety and effectiveness of intracystic TARA-002 for children with cystic lymphatic malformations. Our program is the highest-enrolling site.
• CHORUS, a national HHT registry study: Collects nationwide data to better understand hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), its complications and its impact on patients
• Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) study: Found that inpatient kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty improved short-term outcomes for these patients