Prof. Dr. Hak Soo Choi | Cancer Biophotonics Studies | Photonic Therapeutics Award

Professor at Harvard Medical School, United States

Dr. Hak Soo Choi is a distinguished Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Bioengineering & Nanomedicine Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. Known for his groundbreaking contributions to molecular cancer imaging, Dr. Choi has developed imaging agents that enhance diagnostic precision, facilitating improved diagnosis and treatment. He is the inventor of FIAT-L™ Image-Guided Systems and co-founder of companies advancing imaging and therapeutic solutions.

Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award

Dr. Choi has made groundbreaking advancements in targeted imaging through his development of “Structure-Inherent Targeting” for tissue-specific imaging. This innovation allows precise, high-resolution imaging of targeted tissues, greatly enhancing diagnostic accuracy, especially in oncology.

Dr. Choi’s work has direct clinical applications, with his targeted imaging techniques improving both diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic decision-making in cancer treatment. This translational impact is a testament to his commitment to patient-centered research.

His roles as a professor, director, and co-founder of startups show his leadership both in academia and industry, making him a driving force in advancing nanomedicine and bioimaging. His development of FIAT-L™ Image-Guided Systems exemplifies his dedication to innovation with practical applications in medicine.

Dr. Choi’s numerous prestigious awards, such as the 2021 Distinguished Investigator Award and the 2024 Humans-In-Space Challenge Award, underline his standing within the scientific community. His high citation rate further validates the influence of his research among peers worldwide.

With a background spanning nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and gene/drug delivery, Dr. Choi’s interdisciplinary approach enhances his research, contributing insights across bioengineering, radiology, and translational medicine. This broad expertise has led to over 200 publications in high-impact journals.

🎓 Education

Dr. Choi received his Ph.D. in Nanomedicine from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) in 2004, graduating summa cum laude. His academic foundation spans multidisciplinary research, combining nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and cancer diagnostics.

🧑‍🔬 Experience

Dr. Choi’s career in advanced medical imaging began with postdoctoral training in Gene and Drug Delivery, after which he expanded his expertise into Molecular Cancer Imaging at Harvard. Since establishing his laboratory in 2008, he has spearheaded the development of targeted contrast agents, improving precision imaging by selectively visualizing disease-affected tissues. His leadership roles include faculty positions at Dana Farber Cancer Center and Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Choi’s research is dedicated to advancing cancer diagnostics through molecular imaging and targeted contrast agents. His laboratory focuses on “Structure-Inherent Targeting,” a technique allowing for precise, tissue-specific visualization of cancer cells, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic interventions. This work extends into translational applications for disease treatment and real-time monitoring.

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Choi’s exceptional contributions have garnered numerous awards, including the 2024 Humans-In-Space Challenge Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the 2021 Distinguished Investigator Award from the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research. Other recognitions include the NIH CFTCC Innovation Award (2013) and the Young Scientist Award from the Inoue Foundation for Science, Tokyo (2006), showcasing his continued impact in biomedical innovation.

📚 Selected Publications

“A robotic system for automated chemical synthesis of therapeutic agents”

• Journal: Materials Advances
• Year: 2024
• DOI: 10.1039/D4MA00099D
• Contributors: Kai Bao, Jong Seo Yoon, Sung Ahn, Jeong Heon Lee, Conor J. Cross, Myung Yung Jeong, John V. Frangioni, Hak Soo Choi

“Lysosome‐Targeted Bifunctional Therapeutics Induce Autodynamic Cancer Therapy”

• Journal: Advanced Science
• Year: 2024
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202401424
• Contributors: Athira Raveendran, Jinhui Ser, Seung Hun Park, Paul Jang, Hak Soo Choi, Hoonsung Cho

“3D cell-printing of gradient multi-tissue interfaces for rotator cuff regeneration”

• Journal: Bioactive Materials
• Year: 2023
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.05.004
• Contributors: S. Chae, U. Yong, W. Park, Y.-M. Choi, I.-H. Jeon, H. Kang, J. Jang, H.S. Choi, D.-W. Cho

“Complement C1q essential for aeroallergen sensitization via CSF1R⁺ conventional dendritic cells type 2”

• Journal: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
• Year: 2023
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.07.016
• Contributors: H.-G. Moon, J.D. Eccles, S.-J. Kim, K.-H. Kim, Y.-M. Kim, J. Rehman, H. Lee, P. Kanabar, J.W. Christman, S.J. Ackerman

“In-situ wound healing by SDF-1-mimic peptide-loaded click crosslinked hyaluronic acid scaffold”

• Journal: Journal of Controlled Release
• Year: 2023
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.047
• Contributors: Y.H. Kim, S. Kim, H.J. Ju, M.J. Han, Y. Park, E. Kim, H.S. Choi, S. Choi, M.S. Kim

“Near-infrared fluorescence lifetime imaging of amyloid-β aggregates and tau fibrils through the intact skull of mice”

• Journal: Nature Biomedical Engineering
• Year: 2023
• DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01003-7
• Contributors: S.S. Hou, J. Yang, J.H. Lee, Y. Kwon, M. Calvo-Rodriguez, K. Bao, S. Ahn, S. Kashiwagi, A.T.N. Kumar, B.J. Bacskai

“Ultralow Background Near-Infrared Fluorophores with Dual-Channel Intraoperative Imaging Capability”

• Journal: Advanced Healthcare Materials
• Year: 2023
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203134
• Contributors: K. Bao, M. Tully, K. Cardenas, H. Wang, S. Srinivas, J. Rho, O.H. Jeon, J. Dinh, S. Yokomizo, R. McDonnell

“CD117‐Targeted Intraoperative Imaging of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Using a Stem‐Cell‐Factor‐Labeled Fluorophore”

• Journal: Advanced NanoBiomed Research
• Year: 2023
• DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202300063
• Contributors: S. Nomura, S. Yokomizo, Z. Wang, H. Kang, K. Bao, C. Yang, B.P. Rubin, R. Bronson, S. Kashiwagi, H.S. Choi

🔖 Conclusion

Dr. Hak Soo Choi is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award, given his substantial contributions to molecular imaging, translational cancer diagnostics, and targeted imaging. His dedication to advancing patient-centered, precise imaging technologies has placed him among the top researchers in his field. While expanding into AI collaborations and public engagement could further enhance his impact, his interdisciplinary leadership and translational focus make him an outstanding candidate whose work continues to drive innovation in medical imaging and cancer diagnostics.