Christopher Hess, MD, PhD
Professor
Radiology
School of Medicine

Christopher Hess, MD, PhD, is the Alexander R. Margulis Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at UCSF.

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Dr. Hess completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering and his MD at the University of Illinois in 1998 and 2002, respectively. He was in the first class of NIH T32 radiology research program at UCSF in 2005-2006. He served as chief resident in Radiology from 2006-2007 and was the recipient of the RSNA's Roentgen Award in 2006 and the department's Elmer Ng Award for outstanding resident in 2007. After completing residency in 2007, he remained at UCSF and went on to complete his fellowship training in Neuroradiology the following year. He joined the UCSF faculty in the same year. After serving as Chief of Neuroradiology at the San Francisco VA, Fellowship Director for Neuroradiology at UCSF, and Chief of Neuroradiology at UCSF, he become the Chair of the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging in 2018.

Dr. Hess’s research interests lie in the translational application of MR imaging techniques to vascular disease, brain development and degeneration, and epilepsy, especially using diffusion imaging and ultra-high-field MRI. He is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and serves on the editorial board of Radiology and the American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Expertise: Neuroradiology

Specialty: Neurodegenerative disorders, epilepsy, vascular disease

Professional Interests: Neurodegenerative disorders, epilepsy, vascular disease, image-guided spine interventions, diffusion MRI and fiber tractography, ultra-high field brain MRI, quantitative MRI

Education and Training:

  • Medical School: University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, MD (1998-2002)
  • Internship: California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco - Internal Medicine (2002-2003)
  • Residency: University of California, San Francisco - Radiology (2003-2007)
  • Chief Residency: University of California, San Francisco - Chief Resident, Radiology (2006-2007)
  • Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco - Neuroradiology (2007-2008)
  • Board Certifications: Medical Licensure, California (2004)
  • Board Certifications: American Board of Radiology (2007)
  • Fluoroscopy Supervisor and Operator, California Department of Public Health (2007)
  • Subspecialty Certification, Neuroradiology, American Board of Radiology (2009)

Awards

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  • Fellow, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2023
  • Council of Distinguished Investigators, Academy of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research, 2020
  • Fellow, American Society for Functional Neuroradiology (ASFNR), 2020
  • Fellow, International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering, 2020
  • Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2018
  • Elmer Ng Award for Outstanding Resident in Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, 2007
  • Best Paper Award in Functional Neuroradiology, American Society of Neuroradiology, 2006
  • Berlex Best Paper Award, General Neuroradiology, American Society of Neuroradiology, 2005
  • Alpha Omega Alpha, Alpha Chapter, University of Illinois, 2000
  • Eta Kappa Nu, 1990

Education & Training

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training University of California 2018
  • Fellowship Neuroradiology University of California, San Francisco 2008
  • Residency Radiology University of California, San Francisco 2007
  • M.D. School of Medicine University of Illinois 2002
  • Ph.D. Electrical Engineering University of Illinois 1999

Interests

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  • image-guided spine interventions
  • diffusion MRI and fiber tractography
  • ultra-high field brain MRI
  • vascular anomalies
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • quantitative MRI methods
  • epilepsy

Websites

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Grants and Projects

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Publications (207)

Top publication keywords:
HeadImage EnhancementRadiologyNeurocutaneous SyndromesDiffusion Tensor ImagingLeukoencephalopathiesCerebral HemorrhageMagnetic Resonance ImagingBrainEye AbnormalitiesHuntington DiseaseVascular MalformationsCaudate NucleusDiffusion Magnetic Resonance ImagingAortic Coarctation

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