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Final Program


Program-At-A-Glance

Justin J. Tse, PhD, MSc, BSc

Research Associate
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Justin J. Tse is a Research Associate at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute in Calgary, where he applies advanced MRI techniques to investigate cardiac structure, function, and tissue characterization. His career is defined by a uniquely interdisciplinary trajectory that spans microbiology, geoscience, medical biophysics, radiology, and now cardiovascular imaging, allowing him to contribute a rare combination of methodological depth and scientific versatility to biomedical research.

Dr. Tse began his academic training at the University of Saskatchewan, completing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology. During this period, he was introduced to synchrotron X-ray imaging, an experience that sparked his interest in advanced imaging technologies and quantitative analysis. He continued to build on this expertise in his Master of Science in Geological Sciences, where he again leveraged synchrotron-based X-ray modalities to study mineral microstructures and high-resolution material properties. These experiences established a strong foundation in image acquisition, reconstruction, and interpretation—skills that would later become central to his biomedical work.

Driven by a growing interest in medical applications of imaging, Dr. Tse pursued a PhD in Medical Biophysics at the University of Western Ontario. His doctoral research shifted into pre-clinical biomedical imaging, where he developed novel dual-energy CT methods to enhance visualization of microvasculature and bone within a rat model of ACL transection–induced osteoarthritis. His work demonstrated how spectral imaging could be optimized to distinguish tissues and quantify structural degeneration, advancing the use of CT in pre-clinical musculoskeletal research. The combination of imaging physics, algorithm development, and disease modeling strengthened his reputation as an innovative imaging scientist with strong computational and translational capabilities.

Following his PhD, Dr. Tse was awarded a CIHR-funded post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Radiology at the University of Calgary, where his research moved toward more clinical applications. He specialized in high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) to study rheumatoid arthritis in the hands, focusing on bone microarchitecture, joint-space assessment, and quantitative biomarkers of inflammatory joint disease. His work contributed to improved imaging-based characterization of RA progression and therapeutic response.

In his current role as a Research Associate at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Tse has transitioned into the field of cardiac MRI, applying his extensive imaging expertise to address critical questions in cardiovascular health. His work involves advanced MRI analysis, myocardial tissue characterization, and quantitative post-processing techniques aimed at improving the evaluation of cardiac structure and function. Working closely with clinicians, physicists, and biomedical researchers, he plays a key role in developing and implementing imaging-based approaches that support improved diagnosis, disease monitoring, and clinical decision-making in cardiology.

Across every stage of his career, Dr. Tse has demonstrated a commitment to methodological excellence and scientific innovation. From synchrotron imaging to dual-energy CT, from HR-pQCT to cardiac MRI, he has built a uniquely broad imaging portfolio that continues to support impactful, translational research within Canadian cardiovascular science.

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