Wake Forest CTSI Releases Another Translational Science Benefits Model Case Study

Wake Forest CTSI has released a new Translational Science Benefits Model case study, “Translating Innovating Imaging Technology to Clinical Use for Premature Infants.” Led by Jared A. Weis, PhD, this project targets necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal disease in premature babies.

Drs. Victoria Weis (Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine), Jared Weis (Biomedical Engineering), Cherrie Welch (Neonatology), and Kristen Zeller (Pediatric Surgery) collaborated to developed a non-invasive imaging technique called photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to help diagnose necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Their pilot study showed PAI can safely measure key signs of NEC, like oxygen levels and intestinal movement, in newborn rats. This child-focused research could lead to better, faster diagnosis and care for vulnerable babies.

The Wake Forest CTSI Pilot Program has provided crucial resources for this project, supporting the research team from preclinical studies into clinical use. Their continued guidance will help move this innovation toward broader adoption and improved outcomes for infants at risk of NEC. View the full TSBM here.

About TSBM

The TSBM is a framework that helps researchers measure and demonstrate the real-world benefits of their work across four domains: clinical, community, economic, and policy. It identifies 30 specific benefits and goes beyond publication counts to track broader impacts on health and society. More information about TSBM can be found here.