Becky Riggs | Neuroimaging | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Neuroscientists

Dr. Becky Riggs | Neuroimaging | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Becky Riggs |  OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital | United States

Dr. Rebecca J. Riggs is an accomplished physician–scientist and academic leader in pediatric critical care and neurocritical care. With advanced training in pediatrics, critical care, and neurocritical care at top U.S. institutions, she has built a career that blends clinical excellence, research innovation, and educational leadership. Her research centers on ultrasound medicine, neuro-monitoring, viral pathogens affecting the nervous system, and neurodevelopmental outcomes of critically ill children. She has served as principal investigator in national multi-center studies funded by the NIH and CDC, contributing to evidence-based guidelines for conditions such as acute flaccid myelitis and pediatric COVID-19. Alongside her research, she has directed neurocritical care programs, led safety and quality initiatives, and mentored future physicians. Her work demonstrates a rare combination of technical expertise, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to advancing both patient care and the broader field of pediatric intensive care medicine.

Profile

Scopus

Early Academic Pursuits

Rebecca J. Riggs, widely known as Becky, laid the foundation for her medical career through an early commitment to both emergency medicine and the social sciences. With training as an emergency medical technician and paramedic, followed by a degree in women’s studies, she cultivated a broad perspective that combined scientific rigor with a deep awareness of social contexts. This unique academic blend informed her later clinical approach, emphasizing both medical expertise and patient-centered care. She advanced her education by completing her medical degree at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, and subsequently pursued specialized training in pediatrics, pediatric critical care, and pediatric neurocritical care at leading institutions across the United States.

Professional Endeavors

Dr. Riggs’ professional path reflects her dedication to pediatric intensive care and academic medicine. She held early faculty roles at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she became a key figure in pediatric anesthesiology and critical care medicine. Her work extended beyond bedside care into administrative leadership, including directing pediatric neurocritical care services and serving on multiple institutional committees aimed at advancing patient safety, quality improvement, and team culture within the intensive care environment. Later, her transition to Oregon Health & Science University marked a continuation of her leadership in pediatric critical care, where she now serves as an associate professor and directs programs that integrate neurology, cardiology, and intensive care.

Contributions to Neurocritical Care

Central to Dr. Riggs’ career has been her pioneering contributions to the development and expansion of pediatric neurocritical care. She co-directed and later directed programs that established protocols, pathways, and education models for the care of critically ill children with neurological conditions. Her leadership in culture change initiatives within the pediatric intensive care unit highlights her commitment to improving team dynamics and patient-centered outcomes. She has also served as a mentor and educator, leading simulations, workshops, and educational events to strengthen the capacity of clinicians in this demanding subspecialty.

Research Focus

Dr. Riggs’ scholarly contributions are strongly anchored in her research on ultrasound medicine and neuro-monitoring in critically ill children. Her investigations include ophthalmic ultrasonography, neurosonography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, all aimed at enhancing diagnostic accuracy and monitoring in neonatal and pediatric intensive care settings. She has been particularly engaged in studying viral pathogens with neurological effects and in examining the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children after critical illness. Her role as site principal investigator for multi-center studies funded by the NIH and CDC underscores her central position in national efforts to improve understanding and care of acute flaccid myelitis and pediatric COVID-19 outcomes.

Leadership in Collaborative Studies

Dr. Riggs has played a vital role in large-scale, collaborative pediatric studies of national importance. She served as the Johns Hopkins site principal investigator for the NIH-funded Acute Flaccid Myelitis Natural History study, contributing to the creation of evidence-based guidelines for this rare but devastating condition. She also guided institutional involvement in the CDC-funded Overcoming COVID-19 study, which shaped the understanding of how children are affected by emerging viral illnesses. Through these collaborations, she has demonstrated an ability to bridge clinical expertise with research that informs global health policy and clinical standards.

Accolades and Recognition

Her research achievements have been supported by competitive federal funding, including NIH Loan Repayment Program awards for her pioneering work in pediatric ophthalmic ultrasound and imaging in cases of traumatic brain injury. These grants reflect recognition of both the novelty and impact of her research directions. Her leadership appointments at Johns Hopkins and Oregon Health & Science University further testify to her peers’ trust in her capacity to shape the future of pediatric critical care medicine.

Impact, Influence, and Future Contributions

The impact of Dr. Riggs’ work is evident in the improved protocols, expanded research pathways, and enhanced patient care strategies she has championed. By integrating ultrasound technology into pediatric neurocritical care, she has opened new avenues for bedside diagnostics and monitoring. Her influence extends through her leadership in guideline development, her mentorship of future physicians, and her advocacy for collaborative approaches to rare and emerging pediatric conditions. Looking ahead, her ongoing research and clinical leadership are poised to further shape the evolving field of pediatric neurocritical care, leaving a legacy of innovation, compassion, and transformative impact on children’s health worldwide.

Publications

1. Ophthalmic ultrasonography can identify retinal injury associated with abusive head trauma more quickly and accurately than other neuroimaging modalities — Authors: (not listed), 2025

2. A novel approach to thrombectomy and catheter directed tissue-type plasminogen activator in a toddler post-fontan — Authors: (not listed), 2024

Conclusion

Dr. Riggs’ career reflects a profound dedication to improving the lives of critically ill children through innovation in research, excellence in clinical care, and leadership in program development. Her contributions have significantly advanced pediatric neurocritical care by integrating novel diagnostic tools, shaping national guidelines, and fostering collaborative research networks. With her continued focus on emerging pathogens and neurodevelopmental outcomes, she is poised to further influence the future of pediatric intensive care on both national and international levels. Her legacy will be defined by her impact on patient outcomes, her mentorship of future leaders, and her role in shaping the evolving landscape of pediatric neurocritical care.

 

Muhammad Fahad | Neuroimaging | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Neuroscientists

Mr. Muhammad Fahad | Neuroimaging | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Muhammad Fahad | Tianjin University | China

Muhammad Fahad is a dedicated researcher and Ph.D. candidate in Information and Communication Engineering, with a strong specialization in medical image processing, deepfake detection, and speech enhancement. His academic journey, from computer science studies to advanced doctoral research, has been marked by a consistent focus on solving real-world problems through innovative technologies. Professionally, he has contributed in education, telecommunications, and computing operations, enriching his technical expertise and adaptability. His research contributions span multispectral breast cancer image enhancement, dual-energy X-ray processing, and AI-driven digital media verification, reflecting his ability to merge technical rigor with societal impact.

Profile

Orcid

Early Academic Pursuits

Muhammad Fahad began his academic journey with a deep interest in computing and information sciences, which laid the foundation for his career in advanced technology research. His undergraduate studies in computer science provided him with a solid grounding in programming, algorithms, and system design. Building on this foundation, he pursued a master’s degree in computer science with a specialization in image processing, where he developed a strong research orientation. His academic trajectory naturally progressed toward doctoral studies in information and communication engineering, where he refined his expertise in medical image processing, deepfake detection, and speech enhancement. This progression reflects a consistent commitment to mastering complex technological domains and applying them to real-world problem-solving.

Professional Endeavors

Before embarking on his doctoral research, Muhammad Fahad accumulated diverse professional experience across multiple sectors, enhancing both his technical and interpersonal skills. He served as an educator in schools and colleges, fostering knowledge transfer and strengthening his pedagogical abilities. His tenure as a drive test engineer in a leading telecommunications company in the United Arab Emirates allowed him to engage with large-scale network performance assessments, optimize data-driven decision-making processes, and ensure service quality. Additionally, his early work in computing operations in Pakistan strengthened his technical versatility and attention to detail, skills that would later support his complex research projects.

Contributions and Research Focus

Muhammad Fahad’s research portfolio is distinguished by its multidisciplinary scope, bridging healthcare, communication systems, and image processing technologies. His work in multispectral transmission breast cancer image enhancement demonstrates a commitment to improving diagnostic accuracy and medical imaging outcomes. His projects in deepfake detection address pressing concerns in digital media integrity, while his speech enhancement research advances accessibility and audio clarity in communication systems. He has also explored dual-energy X-ray image processing, contributing to enhanced imaging capabilities for security and medical applications. His work consistently integrates algorithmic innovation with practical applications, aiming to address societal and technological challenges.

Technological Expertise and Innovations

A hallmark of Muhammad Fahad’s work is his ability to integrate advanced computational techniques into diverse domains. His expertise encompasses designing algorithms for image enhancement, implementing deep learning frameworks for content verification, and developing noise reduction systems for speech clarity. By combining his knowledge of programming, signal processing, and artificial intelligence, he has created solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible in medical diagnostics, digital forensics, and communication technologies.

Accolades and Recognition

While his primary focus has been on research and development, Muhammad Fahad’s academic and professional efforts have earned him recognition within both academic and industrial settings. His ability to deliver high-impact results in collaborative projects has positioned him as a valuable contributor in research teams and professional networks. His active engagement with the global research community through platforms like ResearchGate reflects both his scholarly contributions and his openness to collaborative knowledge exchange.

Impact and Influence

The impact of Muhammad Fahad’s work extends beyond the laboratory, influencing both technical advancements and practical implementations. His research in medical imaging holds the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, enabling earlier detection and treatment planning in critical health conditions. His contributions to deepfake detection offer tools for safeguarding digital authenticity, a growing concern in modern communication. Similarly, his advancements in speech enhancement have applications in assistive technologies, improving quality of life for individuals with hearing challenges.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Muhammad Fahad envisions continuing his work at the intersection of image processing, communication technologies, and healthcare innovations. His future research aims to integrate artificial intelligence more deeply into medical and multimedia analysis, creating systems that are not only technically sophisticated but also accessible and impactful for end users. Through sustained innovation and collaboration, he seeks to leave a legacy of technological solutions that address real-world challenges, strengthen digital trust, and contribute to advancements in global healthcare and communication infrastructure.

Publication

Diffusion model in modern detection: Advancing Deepfake techniques – Fazeela Siddiqui, Jiachen Yang, Shuai Xiao, Muhammad Fahad – 2025

Enhanced deepfake detection with DenseNet and Cross-ViT – Fazeela Siddiqui, Jiachen Yang, Shuai Xiao, Muhammad Fahad – 2025

Efficient and Accurate Brain Tumor Classification Using Hybrid MobileNetV2–Support Vector Machine for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnostics in Neoplasms – Mohammed Jajere Adamu, Halima Bello Kawuwa, Li Qiang, Charles Okanda Nyatega, Ayesha Younis, Muhammad Fahad, Salisu Samaila Dauya – 2024

Conclusion

Through a blend of academic excellence, multidisciplinary expertise, and innovative problem-solving, Muhammad Fahad has positioned himself as a valuable contributor in the fields of healthcare technology, digital media security, and communication systems. His work not only advances technological boundaries but also addresses critical global challenges. With a clear vision for integrating artificial intelligence into medical and multimedia applications, he is set to make lasting contributions that will benefit both academic research and practical implementations worldwide.