Dr. A. Aria Tzika currently working as Director of NMR Surgical Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Shriners Burns Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA working at Massachusetts General Hospital and The Shriners Burns Institute, Harvard Medical School, her research focuses on the use of advanced imaging methodology, including multi-parametric, functional, and physiological and molecular MR imaging and MR spectroscopy, to assess different states of tissue pathology. The aims of this research are to elucidate mechanisms underlying neoplasia, injury and inflammation. Biologically important biomarkers are currently being identified and characterized in experimental tissue and animal models. The goals of this research are to move from in vitro and ex vivo biology to in vivo physiology and integrative biology; to integrate research in experimental animal models with clinical research and medicine; and to develop therapies for neoplasia, injury, and inflammation, she received awards from various renowned societies and universities including Southern Pediatric Radiology Society Award and International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Honors and many.

To date, Dr. Tzika has mentored eight post-doctoral, Ph.D, and 3 MD research doctors, four of whom have obtained assistant professorship positions, while her other past trainees have chosen clinical or industrial positions; one MD doctor who did her sabbatical with Dr. Tzika became the director of a paediatric radiology clinical division. In addition, four undergraduate have trained in her laboratory, with all of them entering medical school. She believes a smaller laboratory setting provides better and more frequent trainee-mentor interactions; increases successful training and research; and heightens intellectual stimulation for all laboratory members, including herself. Because her office is located close to her laboratory, she is fully accessible to my trainees. In addition, she leads weekly group meetings where laboratory members present their work, and discusses overall progress and future directions to encourage her trainees to understand the role of their individual projects and results within long-term goals. Moreover, Dr. Tzika discusses grant writing structure, laboratory rules and regulations, the review of manuscripts, and recent relevant research publications and meeting reports.