David S. Wack PhD

David Wack

David S. Wack
PhD


Professional Summary:

My research interests have two main divisions. The first is developing methods for the analysis of medical images. This research focuses on creating parametric maps from post-reconstructed PET, SPECT, MRI, CT, and source localization EEG images. My current work focuses on improving parameter estimation using dynamic image noise reduction, segmentation algorithms, and the development of large image databases and specialized image search algorithms. Associated with my search algorithms are my machine learning methods, which often employ stochastic discrimination methods that are robust in protecting against over-training and proven very effective with neuro-images which have millions of features, but perhaps only hundreds of images with a classification.

My other line of work focuses on neuro-imaging of auditory and language processing. Past work has focused on binaural hearing; current work has moved towards neural markers of top-down compensation for language processing in subjects that do not perform well with speech in noisy backgrounds. This work has received past support from Canon Medical Systems, Inc, USA.

Current projects: A project with NIH support with Rutao Yao, PhD (PI) titled "Self-collimating Single Photon Emission Breast Tomography System with Three-Dimensional Sparse Position-Sensitive Detectors" is ongoing, and has a large simulation component. A project utilizing "4D flow" MRI imaging has received internal support for the purposes of assessing patients with Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease, with Kenneth Snyder, M.D., PhD. from UBNS, as PI.

Publications (h-index: 26, i10: 35) can be seen on Google Scholar.
Recent Biomedical engineering students have worked on comparisons of machine-learning algorithms for classifications of neuroimages, visualization methods utilizing dimension reduction methods for image search results, and natural language algorithms for the automated interpretation of medical reports.

I am currently a member of the faculty council for the Jacobs School of Medicine and a board member of the University at Buffalo's Faculty Student Association.

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Communicative Disorders and Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo (2010)
  • MA, Applied Mathematics, State University of New York at Buffalo (1992)
  • BA, Applied Mathematics, State University of New York at Buffalo (1989)
  • BA, Music Performance, State University of New York at Buffalo (1989)

Employment:

  • Research Associate Professor, Nuclear Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2013-present)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Nuclear Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1998–2013)
  • Chief of Algorithm and Multimodal Integration Research, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Jacobs Neurological Institute (2007–2011)
  • Instructor, Mathematics, State University of New York at Buffalo (1995–2008)
  • IT Specialist / Applications Software, Veterans Administration Western New York Health Care System (1992–2006)
  • Research Instructor, Nuclear Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (1992–1998)
  • Instructor, Mathematics, Daemen College (1992)
  • Assistant Professor, Mathematics, Erie Community College (1991–1992)
  • Instructor, Mathematics, State University of New York at Buffalo Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (1991)

Research Expertise:

  • Auditory Imaging: Functional Imaging of Auditory System
  • Medical Imaging Analysis and Algorithms: Kinetic Modelling, Noise Reduction Methods, Medical Imaging Informatics

Journal Articles:

See all (29 more)

Abstracts:

  • Wood R, Iacobucci G, Khobragade P, Ying L, Snyder KV, Wack DS, Rudin S, Ionita CN. (2014) SU-E-QI-6 Design and initial validation of a precise capillary phantom to test perfusion systems. Medical Physics, (Jun) 378
  • Miletich RS, Wack DS. (2013) Alzheimer-like global brain impairment in newly diagnosed lung cancer. Society for Neuroscience, (Jan)
  • Wack D Wisniewski S Erb D Dandona P Nabi H. (2011) Complex singular value decomposition improves the image quality of C11-PIB images. 5th Annual Human Amyloid Imaging, (Jan)
  • Wack D Badgaiyan R. (2011) Complex Singular Value Decomposition improves parameter estimation in dynamic PET images. J. Nucl Med, (Jan) 2031
  • Nabi H Dhindsa S Erb S Wack D Chaudhuri A Dubey S Wisniewski S Dandona P. (2011) Objective measurement of B amyloid plaques with C-11 PIB Positron Emission Tomography of Hypogonadal Men with Type 2 Diabetes. 5th Annual Human Amyloid Imaging, (Jan)
  • Wack D Dwyer MG Bergsland N Hussein S Zivadinov R. (2010) Evaluating MACC for improved MS rater agreement. Proc Soc Magn Reson Med, (Jan) P2075
  • Schirda C Zamboni P Magnano C Lindzen E Wack D Weinstock-Guttman B Ramasamy D Carl E Hojnacki D Kennedy C Dwyer MG Bergsland N Cox JL Salvi F Zivadinov R. (2010) Objective quantification of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow rate in cerebral aqueduct in patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurology, (Jan) A291
  • Poloni GU Zamboni P Haacke EM Bastianello S Dwyer MG Bergsland N Schirda C Wack D Magnano C Weinstock-Guttman B Salvi F Hojnacki D Zivadinov R. (2010) Quantitative venous vasculature assessment on susceptibility-weighted imaging reflects presence of severe chronic venous insufficiency in the brain parenchyma of multiple sclerosis patients. A case-control study. Proc Soc Magn Reson Med, (Jan) P210
  • Wack D Dwyer MG Bergsland N Zivadinov R. (2010) The need for standardization of lesion activity analysis categorization in the multiple sclerosis clinical trials. Neurology, (Jan)
  • Wack DS Dwyer MG DiPerri C Ranza L Hussein S Durfee J Schirda C Bergsland N Cox JL Zivadinov R. (2009) Inter-operator agreement of hyperintense T2 lesions is improved on 3T versus 1.5T scanners. Mult Scler, (Jan)
  • Bednarczyk EM Wack DS Lockwood AH Pendergast D. (2000) A Pilot Study of Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) under Physiologic Simulations of Altered Gravity. ASCPT, (Mar)
See all (1 more)


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Contact Information

133 Parker Hall
3435 Main St.
Buffalo, New York 14214
Phone: (716) 829-2648
dswack@buffalo.edu