Thomas Link, MD, PhD
Professor
Radiology
School of Medicine

415-353-4566

Thomas M. Link, MD, PhD, is Chief of the Musculoskeletal Imaging Section and Clinical Director of the Musculoskeletal and Quantitative Imaging Research (MQIR) Group in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Link completed his medical residency in Muenster, Germany.

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He performed a research fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in 1996 and was a Visiting Associate Professor at UCSF from 1999-2001. Before joining the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging in 2003 he was a Vice-Chair of the Department of Radiology at the Technical University of Munich.

As Clinical Director of the Musculoskeletal and Quantitative Imaging Research (MQIR) Group, Dr. Link’s main interest is translational research. He wants to provide clinical background to basic science researchers, assessing clinical feasibility of research projects and to apply new imaging techniques in clinical studies.

Dr. Link's research program in MQIR has three main focuses: imaging of osteoporosis, particularly developing new imaging techniques for assessment of bone quality and density, application on new imaging techniques for the clinical assessment of osteoarthritis, cartilage and prevention of cartilage degeneration, and interventional techniques for diagnosis and treatment of bone tumors. Dr. Link has published extensively with more than 400 peer-reviewed articles, 48 review articles, 47 book chapters and 3 books.Dr. Link has published extensively with more than 400 peer-reviewed articles, 48 review articles, 47 book chapters, and 3 books.

Expertise: Musculoskeletal Radiology

Specialty: Bone tumors and interventional procedures, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis

Professional Interests: New techniques for musculoskeletal imaging, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cartilage imaging, high field musculoskeletal MRI at 3.0 and 7.0T, MR-guided focused ultrasound

Education and Training:

  • Medical School: Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
  • Medical School: Groote Schuur Hospital University of Cape Town, Cape Town, RSA
  • Internship: City Hospital Idar-Oberstein, Teaching Hospital of the Johannes-Gutenberg, Mainz Germany
  • Residency: Department of Radiology Center for Rheumatic Diseases of the State of Rheinland-Pfalz, Bad Kreuznach, Germany
  • Residency: Department of Radiology, KKH Hellersen, Teaching Hospital of the University of Bonn, Germany
  • Residency: Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Muenster
  • Fellowship: University of California, San Francisco Department of Radiology
  • Doctor of Philosophy: University Hospital, Muenster Department of Radiology
  • Board Examination in Radiology (including Radiation Therapy), Muenster, Germany
  • Board Examination in Diagnostic Radiology, Muenster, Germany
  • ECFMG (USMLE, Step 1 and 2)
  • Temporary California License
  • USMLE Step 3
  • DEA License
  • Permanent California License
  • Fluoroscopy Supervisor License
  • Equivalence certification of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Medicine (for German qualifications) by Center for Educational Documentation, Boston
  • Diagnostic Radiology Core Exam, American Board of Radiology
  • Board Certification Diagnostic Radiology, American Board of Radiology

Awards

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  • Election and Induction to AIMBE College of Fellows, AIMBE (American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering), 2019
  • Outstanding Faculty Mentoring Award, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF, 2019
  • 16th Annual Lodwick Award, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard University, 2019
  • 2017-2018 Long-Term Mentor Award, Pathways to Discovery Board of Directors, UCSF, 2018
  • Senior Fellow Award, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2017
  • Outstanding Reviewer Award, Osteoarthritis&Cartilage, 2017
  • Distinguished Investigator Award, Academy of Radiology Research, 2016
  • Certificate of Special Distinction, Skeletal Radiology, 2014
  • Editor-in-Chief, Current Radiology Reports, 2012
  • George J. Davies - James A. Gould, Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award, The Journal of Othopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 2012
  • Editor’s Recognition Award with Distinction, Radiology, 2011
  • The Founder's Lecturer, International Skeletal Society, Washington, 2009
  • Editors Recognition, European Journal of Radiology, 2007-2008
  • Plenary Lecturer, World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Prague. Czech Republic, 2007
  • Top Cited Award, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2006-2008
  • Appointed Chairman, Osteoporosis Group of the European Society of Skeletal Radiology (ESSR), 2006
  • Teaching Award, Medical School of the Technical University of Munich, Germany, 2000
  • Caffey Award, Society of Pediatric Radiology, 1997

Education & Training

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  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training University of California 2019
  • fellowship University of California 1996
  • radiology residency University of Muenster 1995
  • M.D. medical school Johannes Gutenberg University 1987

Interests

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  • osteoarthritis
  • osteoporosis
  • 3.0T MRI
  • New techniques for musculoskeletal imaging
  • high field musculoskeletal MRI
  • 7.0T MRI
  • MR-guided focused ultrasound
  • cartilage imaging

Websites

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Videos

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Grants and Projects

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Publications (621)

Top publication keywords:
Magnetic Resonance ImagingMenisci, TibialBone MarrowKnee JointSpinal FracturesCartilage DiseasesOsteoarthritis, HipOsteoarthritis, KneeKnee InjuriesAnterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesFemurCartilage, ArticularBone DensityOsteoporosisBone and Bones

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