Dear IBIS Member,

As you may know, this year I will have the honor of serving as IBIS Director. Building on a successful first year under the leadership of Dr. King Li, the steering committee and I are looking forward to an exciting year for IBIS.

One area of particular focus for 2008 will be to both recruit new members and increase the involvement of current ones. IBIS members will benefit from increased visibility in each of the three member institutions, and by increased possibilities of collaboration. The best way to achieve this goal is to make it easier for people to find out about IBIS, to make it easier for members to find information about other members and programs, and to facilitate the development of collaborations. We will be soliciting new membership and improving communication with current members.

IBIS will look for methods to use technology to help connecting faculty (e.g., webcasting of medical seminars to the UH). In addition, we will explore improving data sharing capabilities among the IBIS institutions and investigators and potentially establishing a multi-institutional research PACS. The IBIS web presence will be expanded and improved to facilitate member interactions.

Another important aspect will be to build and improve on the internal processes. The grant process for 2008 will be improved and an IBIS retreat will take place on March 8th and 9th.

And so, as we begin the year I am excited about the possibilities for growth in IBIS and looking forward to working with all of you towards accomplishing these goals.


Ioannis A. Kakadiaris
2008 IBIS Director