Peter Stephen Conti, MD, PhD

Professor of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Director, Molecular Imaging Center

Associate Chief of Nuclear Medicine

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Overview

Dr. Conti is a tenured Professor at the University of Southern California with academic appointments in the Departments of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and medical degree from Cornell University. His Ph.D. in Biophysics was completed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is board certified in Nuclear Medicine (ABNM) and Diagnostic Radiology (ABR). Dr. Conti has been the Director of the USC PET Imaging Science Center since its inception in 1991. His research activities have focused on the development of novel PET and hybrid imaging agents for diagnostic and theranostic applications in cancer and other diseases. Dr. Conti has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers in the field of molecular imaging. He is the 2016 recipient of the Paul C Aebersold Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging for his achievements in the basic science of nuclear medicine, and was the 2018 Peter Valk Award recipient for his pioneering work in clinical Positron Emission Tomography. In 2019 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Nuclear Medicine and in January of 2020, the President’s Award for his service to the College. In June 2020, Dr. Conti received the Benedict Cassen Prize from the Education and Research Foundation for his pioneering work in the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals and clinical PET applications for cancer imaging, and his volunteerism and service to the molecular imaging community. The Prize honors the memory of Benedict Cassen, the inventor of the rectilinear radioisotope scanner—the first instrument capable of making an image of radiotracer distribution in body organs of living patients, and was seminal to the development of clinical nuclear medicine.

Research Funding

  • IVIS Spectrum Optical Imaging Core Resource
    NIH · S10OD021785 · Apr 15, 2017 – Apr 14, 2020 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Phase Contrast Tomographic X-Ray Microscope System
    NIH · S10OD018500 · Apr 6, 2015 – Apr 5, 2016 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Small Animal Photoacoustic Imaging Unit: Integrating Optical Imaging with High Fr
    NIH · S10OD018096 · Jun 1, 2014 – May 31, 2015 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • The Tetrazine Ligation for Efficient 18F Labeling and Pretargeted Imaging/Radiotherapy of Cancer
    NIH · R01EB014354 · Sep 23, 2013 – Jun 30, 2018 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • MicroPET/CT for Small Animal Imaging
    NIH · S10OD012371 · Apr 20, 2013 – Apr 19, 2015 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • EphB4 as Novel Target for Breast Cancer Imaging
    NIH · R21EB012294 · May 1, 2011 – Apr 30, 2015 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Cyclotron for Molecular Imaging Program at USC
    NIH · S10RR029178 · May 1, 2011 – Apr 30, 2015 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Ultra-High Resolution CT Specimen Scanner for In Vitro Applications
    NIH · S10RR027665 · Jul 1, 2010 – Jun 30, 2011 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Digital X-Ray Device for Molecular Imaging Center
    NIH · S10RR027689 · Jul 1, 2010 – Jun 30, 2011 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • High Resolution Ultrasound Resource for Molecular Imaging Center
    NIH · S10RR023653 · May 1, 2007 – Apr 30, 2008 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Micro Computerized Tomography Imaging System
    NIH · S10RR019253 · May 15, 2004 – Dec 30, 2007 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Development of a Cellular and Molecular-Based Cancer Im*
    NIH · P20CA086352 · Jul 12, 2001 – Jun 30, 2007 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • SMALL ANIMAL PET SCANNER FOR CANCER APPLICATIONS
    NIH · S10RR015703 · Apr 1, 2001 – Sep 30, 2002 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • DUAL HOT CELL SYSTEM AND AUXILLARY EQUIPMENT
    NIH · S10RR012966 · Jul 8, 1998 – Jan 7, 2002 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • IN VIVO MARKER OF CELL PROLIFERATION FOR PET STUDIES
    NIH · R01CA072896 · Feb 21, 1997 – Jan 31, 2003 · Role: Principal Investigator

Publications

  • Clinical trials in cancer theranostics with potential near-term impact on clinical practice. Br J Radiol. 2026 Jul 01; 99(1183):1293-1298.. View in PubMed
  • Cerebrovascular regulation dynamics and Alzheimer’s neuroimaging phenotypes. Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Feb; 22(2):e71146.. View in PubMed
  • Unresectable Metastatic Solid Pseudopapillary Pancreatic Neoplasm Treated With Liver Transplantation. ACG Case Rep J. 2024 Aug; 11(8):e01432.. View in PubMed
  • Advancements and future directions in positron emission tomography-guided radiotherapy: a narrative review. Chin Clin Oncol. 2024 Apr; 13(2):24.. View in PubMed
  • Clinical outcomes and treatment patterns in REASSURE: planned interim analysis of a real-world observational study of radium-223 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. EClinicalMedicine. 2023 Jun; 60:101993.. View in PubMed
  • 18FDG-PET/CT Specificity for the Detection of Lymphoma Recurrence in the Tonsils. OTO Open. 2021 Oct-Dec; 5(4):2473974X211059081.. View in PubMed
  • Fasting-mimicking diet prevents high-fat diet effect on cardiometabolic risk and lifespan. Nat Metab. 2021 10; 3(10):1342-1356.. View in PubMed
  • Neurohormonal markers in chronic rhinosinusitis. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2021 May-Jun; 35(3):901-908.. View in PubMed
  • Exploring Solvent Effects in the Radiosynthesis of 18F-Labeled Thymidine Analogues toward Clinical Translation for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci. 2021 Feb 12; 4(1):266-275.. View in PubMed
  • Associations between Vascular Function and Tau PET Are Associated with Global Cognition and Amyloid. J Neurosci. 2020 10 28; 40(44):8573-8586.. View in PubMed