Christine B. Chung, M.D., Named Chair of the Department of Radiology

Looking towards the future, Chung is focused on the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in thoughtful ways that will allow the department to efficiently and innovatively serve their patient population and provide care for health care team.

“We will focus on developing the best technology to deliver quality health care,” said Chung. “By leveraging the expertise of our team, we will be able to identify targets for AI and partnerships that will allow us to focus on engaging each other and our patients. “

Additionally, the department will look to expand access for imaging and imaging-guided interventions within the existing UC San Diego ecosystem and the community. “Imaging is a central, core service and without high quality imaging, patient care cannot realize its full potential,” she explained.

Chung -came to UC San Diego as an osteoradiology fellow in 1998 and joined the faculty as an assistant professor the following year. She has progressed through the academic ranks at UC San Diego as a clinical translational researcher, publishing more than 200 peer review manuscripts. Additionally, she has a long history of National Institutes for Health and Veteran’s Affairs grant funding.

Her research has focused on the development and application of non-invasive MRI biomarkers for the evaluation of musculoskeletal tissues. Her lab is well known in the scientific community for biomarker validation with histologic and material property reference standards. In 2018, Chung received the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Academy of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research, a distinction bestowed upon researchers for their outstanding contributions within the field.

In addition to her research excellence in musculoskeletal imaging, Chung has held several leadership roles during her tenure at the School of Medicine. She is the director for the UC San Diego Musculoskeletal Imaging Research Group and most recently served as vice chair for academic affairs in the Department of Radiology.

An established leader, educator and clinical domain expert in the field of radiology, Chung is a fellow of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and an active member of several societies including the American College of Radiology, the American Association for Women Radiologists and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. She is also the president-elect of the International Skeletal Society and will be the second woman to hold that position in the organization’s 52-year history. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Iowa and completed a diagnostic radiology residency at The Ohio State University.

“My academic career has allowed me to have periods of intense focus in all areas of the tripartite mission, including clinical work, education and research. While each of these continues to provide me with a rich professional experience, I have a special passion for mentorship and the development of talent and building teams,” said Chung. “The UC San Diego radiology team which includes faculty, learners, technologists, nurses and administrative staff across the department, is our most important resource. I am excited to help everyone identify and realize dreams, and in so doing, make our community as strong as it can be. I consider the role of chair as my opportunity to give back to the department, the institution, the community — and do my absolute best to make it the best it can be”

On a personal note, Chung is grateful for her two “amazing daughters and wonderful husband,” who she said represent the best things in her life.

“While I have a very small 'blood' family, the extended family of my lab group and my clinical radiology musculoskeletal division have been with me through the best times and the most challenging times,” she said. “My vision for the department is to care more and care better to make UC San Diego the best it can be. We need to care for each other so that we can care for our learners and our patients.  We will focus on retaining our world class team and recruiting the best.”