University of California-San Diego · Biomedical EngineeringAhrens Imaging Lab
Eric T. Ahrens · La Jolla, California
Research Focus
Eric T. Ahrens' lab at UC San Diego focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to visualize immune cells in cancer, particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). By creating novel imaging agents, such as fluorine-19 (19F) MRI tracers and PET probes, the lab aims to improve early detection of inflammatory processes in cancers like head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Their research seeks to enhance personalized treatments for patients by providing insights into the tumor microenvironment and its influence on therapy responses.
tumor-associated macrophagesMRI imagingPET imagingcancer inflammationimmune profiling
Research Aims
3AIM 01Develop a 19F MRI technology to visualize TAMs in head and neck cancer patients.
AIM 02Create a novel perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion for tracking immune cell activity.
AIM 03Evaluate safety and biodistribution of imaging agents in animal models.
Skills the Lab Values
fluorine-19 MRIPET imagingnanoemulsion formulationcell culturein vivo studies
Output against the department
Publications141bottom 30% of dept.419th of 595
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations8.2ktop 41% of dept.245th of 595
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.