‘Father’ of PET scanning named Russel Lecturer

The University Record, December 10, 1997

By Wono Lee
News and Information Services

David Kuhl will deliver the Russel Lecture March 10. Photo by Bob Kalmbach

David E. Kuhl, professor of internal medicine and of radiology, has been chosen as the 1998 Henry Russel Lecturer. The annual lectureship is the highest honor the University gives to a senior faculty member.

Kuhl was nominated for the honor by the U-M Research Club and was confirmed by the Regents at their November meeting. He will deliver the Russel Lecture on March 10.

Kuhl, who joined the U-M in 1986, is internationally recognized for his professional achievement in the field of nuclear medicine. His work has been central to the introduction, development and clinical application of both radionuclide emission tomography and positron emission tomography in medicine.

He developed a photorecording system for radionuclide scanning in 1954 that has become the standard for all nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures throughout the world. He developed radionuclide emission tomography in 1962, leading to the first “computer tomography,” which ultimately led to the development of X-ray CT scanning as well as positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. He is recognized internationally as the “father” of PET scanning.

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