UA College of Optical Sciences Names Kyle J. Myers Alumna of the Year

Author, Civil Servant Will Give Nov. 8 Colloquium Lecture

Tucson, Ariz.—Well known for her expertise in image sciences, Kyle J. Myers, director of the Division of Imaging and Applied Mathematics at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has been selected by the University of Arizona Alumni National Board as the 2012 Alumna of the Year for the College of Optical Sciences.

Myers, who received her Ph.D. in 1985, has contributed greatly to the underlying image science that enables the precise scientific evaluation of the ability of medical imaging systems to provide accurate and reliable information in the diagnosis of serious diseases. Within the FDA, Kyle is responsible for evaluation of systems such as MRI, ultrasound machines and CT scans, which are used to create images of the human body for medical procedures and to diagnose a wide range of ailments from cancer and heart problems to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

“Kyle is an exceptional choice as the college's alumna of the year,” said Thomas L. Koch, dean of the College of Optical Sciences. “Since receiving her master’s degree and doctorate from OSC, Kyle has had a phenomenal career that has helped enormously to advance the efficacy of advanced medical imaging technologies, ensuring their accuracy and reliability for doctors and patients alike.

“Her work has touched the lives of many — and every step along the way, she has also championed the important role of women in sciences,” Koch added.

Myers continues to hold a deep connection with her alma mater by maintaining both professional and personal ties at the College of Optical Sciences and the University’s department of medical imaging.

“I have been especially privileged to have begun my career in medical imaging at the University of Arizona and to have had the opportunity to continue working with the University’s faculty to research improvements to medical imaging technologies,” she said.

Among her close associations at the University is with her Ph.D. adviser, Regents’ Professor Harrison H. Barrett. Myers and Barrett co-authored the seminal text “Foundations of Imaging Science,” which was published in 2004. The book received the first-ever J.W. Goodman Book Writing Award, which is granted biennially by the Optical Society (OSA), and SPIE.

“The impact of her work affects all of us. We all have medical images, and we want to be sure that the instruments taking them are fully optimized for the diagnostic task at hand, and that the images are presented to the patient and radiologist in the best way possible,” said Barrett. “Her group is perhaps the leading group in image science anywhere in the world.”

Myers has received much recognition for her technical and scientific contributions, including the distinction of fellow with OSA, SPIE and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. She serves on several intergovernmental panels on imaging and was a finalist for the 2012 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals SAMMIES for her government role in science and technology.

As part of the UA’s Homecoming 2012 festivities, Myers will receive her Alumna of the Year award at a ceremony held on Friday, Nov. 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center Grand Ballroom.

The college has also invited Myers to speak in its weekly Colloquium Lecture Series on the previous day, Thursday, Nov. 8, at 3:30 p.m. She will be speaking on “Regulatory Science Challenges in Medical Imaging” in Room 307 of the Meinel Optical Sciences Building on the UA campus. Her lecture is open to the public and a video of her presentation will be made available later on the College of Optical Sciences website.