2006 ASNR Gold Medal Award Winner

Even as a small child, Robert Nicolas (Nick) Bryan knew that he wanted to be a doctor; he also knew that he wanted to study the brain. After growing up in Texas, he went east to do his pre-med undergraduate work at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, but returned to Texas for medical school. Dr. Bryan earned 2 advanced degrees from the University of Texas in Galveston: his MD in 1969 and his PhD in anatomy in 1973. From 1969–1973, he served his internships and residencies in radiology, and then an NIH postdoctorate fellowship under Dr. W.D. Willis of the Marine Biomedical Institute.

Dr. Bryan returned east again in 1973 as an NIH Special Fellow in neuroradiology at the Neurological Institute of New York with Dr. E.H. Wood. The following year he was commissioned as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. He served for 2 years at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md, where he was chief of both the neuroradiology department and special procedures lab. In 1976, a civilian once more, Dr. Bryan accepted the position of Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology at Columbia University and associate attending radiologist in the New York Neurological Institute/Presbyterian Hospital where he received invaluable mentoring from Dr. Sadek Hilal.

In 1977, he became Director of Neuroradiology at Houston’s Methodist Hospital, and an assistant professor in radiology at Baylor College of Medicine. In his first year at Baylor, he was awarded an associate professorship and in 1983 he was elevated to full professor.

After more than a decade in Texas, Dr. Bryan returned East. In 1988, the Johns Hopkins University offered him positions at its School of Medicine—Professor of Radiology and Neurosurgery, director of its neuroradiology division, and eventually (1996) Vice Chairman of the Department of Radiology. In 1998, he was appointed Director of Diagnostic Radiology and Associate Director, Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Program, Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, at the NIH.

In 1999, Dr. Bryan relocated to Philadelphia, when he was named to his current positions, Eugene P. Pendergrass Professor and Chair of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. In addition to his administrative functions with the University of Pennsylvania health system, he continues to teach residents and fellows and to serve as an attending neuroradiologist.

Throughout his multifaceted career, Dr. Bryan never lost his fundamental interest in original research work, particularly in the field of neuroradiology. He has been enabled by significant support from grants, issued from both the federal level and from private foundations, to pursue investigations as principal investigator. These studies have been focused primarily on 1) radiologic contrast agents, 2) MR imaging of vascular diseases and stroke, and more recently, 3) computer-aided analysis of medical imaging.

Dr. Bryan’s bibliography reflects his research accomplishments—169 studies published in peer-reviewed journals, 30 editorials, 33 book chapters, and collaboration on several editions of a specialty textbook, plus 3 brain atlases released in CD format. In alternative media, his credits include a videotape and short film relative to neurologic imaging, released in 1990 and 1999, respectively. Dr. Bryan also has served on the editorial boards for numerous scientific journals.

Dr. Bryan has been a member of the executive boards of—the American College of Radiology, the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, the American Society of Neuroradiology, the Radiological Society of North America, and the Academy of Radiological Research. He also has served as president of the ASHNR (1984–85), ASNR (1991–92), and RSNA (2001–02). Under his presidency, ASNR became a more active participant within organized medicine, including AMA membership. In addition he facilitated the establishment of subspecialty groups within ASNR.

Dr. Bryan has participated in numerous government study sections and advisory committees, chaired committees specific to his successive academic affiliations, and was program chairman for the XVI Symposium Neuroradiologicum. As a visiting professor he has given approximately 50 lectures by invitation throughout the United States and abroad, including Japan, Italy, Great Britain, Mexico, Australia, and Brazil. Dr. Bryan is an honorary member of the Japanese Society of Neuroradiology and the European Society of Radiology, was accepted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Society (1969), selected to receive the George Sealy Memorial Award in Research in Neurology (1972), and recipient of a Fulbright Senior Fellowship (1994–1995). The Fulbright grant allowed him to take a hiatus from his tenure at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to spend a year in Marseilles, France, where he worked with Dr. George Salamon and Professor Jean Talairach on digital brain atlases.

Dr. Bryan continues to direct the Department of Radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and consistently seeks new research challenges. He is currently principal investigator for 2 major long-term studies, both relative to brain structure as reflected by MR imaging.

Dr. Bryan and his wife Jean have been married for 40 years and have 2 adult children, Robert (Bobby) and Nicole, both married, and one grandchild (Nevin). The Bryans actively enjoy the cultural offerings of Philadelphia, including some of its fine lecture series, concerts, and cuisine. Dr. Bryan is also a sports buff—he plays squash and tennis, and is an avid baseball fan.