TUSTIN, Calif. - The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), the leading international professional society dedicated to research, education and clinical excellence in cardiovascular computed tomography (CT), has named Dr. Chirapa Puntawangkoon and Dr. Thananya Boonyasirinant the winners of the third annual Young Investigator Award. Dr. Puntawangkoon and Dr. Boonyasirinant were announced as the winners at SCCT's 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

"The Young Investigator Award cultivates pioneers, who will ultimately enhance the safety, comfort and effectiveness of diagnostic imaging," said Dr. Daniel S. Berman, president, SCCT. "In today's economic environment, SCCT's and Toshiba's support of this award is all the more critical in finding tomorrow's medical imaging leaders."

Thananya Boonyasirinant, M.D., from the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio won for her submission titled, "Comprehensive Multidetector Computed Tomographic Assessment for Noninvasive Coronary Sinus Imaging and Myocardial Infarction Correlation in Ischemic versus Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Implications for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy."
Chirapa Puntawangkoon, M.D., from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. was named a winner for her paper titled, "Elliptical Geometry of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT) Results in Underestimation of LVOT Area by Echocardiography Compared to Planimetric Measurement by Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT)."

Five finalists presented their work at the SCCT Annual Scientific Meeting on July 16-19, 2009 in Orlando, Fla. An independent panel of five editorial advisors reviewed the submitted papers for scientific accuracy, as well as originality, creativity and writing style. Dr. Puntawangkoon and Dr. Boonyasirinant were awarded the Young Investigator Award, which includes a $2,500 cash prize, trophy, an opportunity for priority peer-reviewed publication in the JCC and recognition at a Toshiba-sponsored dinner.

"During my career in diagnostic imaging, I have continually been impressed by the way physicians can see new ways to use imaging equipment, especially CT, to improve protocols and patient care," said Doug Ryan, senior director, CT Business Unit, Toshiba. "Toshiba is leading innovation in equipment development, and we believe the industry's young investigators are the ones who are going to continue to develop new applications that will make significant differences within healthcare."