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SNMMI Mars Shot Research Fund Awards Grant to Expand Theranostics Access in Appalachia

The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine (UTGSM) is excited to share that Dustin R. Osborne, PhD, Professor in the Department of Radiology and director of the Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Research Program and James Crowley, MS, CNMT, imaging services manager, Carilion Clinic have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the 2025 Mars Shot Research Fund by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). Their project titled Expanding Access to Theranostics in Rural Appalachia: A Community-Based Educational Initiative, was selected as part of the Mars Shot Fund's mission to support bold, forward-looking innovations in nuclear medicine.

This award, one of the largest grant series offered by the SNMMI, will provide the foundation for the development of the Appalachian Radiotheranostic Coalition (ARC), a new effort based in Knoxville, Tennessee, aimed at improving access to theranostic education and services across the Appalachian region. The project will focus on community engagement, professional training, and infrastructure support to help bring cutting-edge radiopharmaceutical therapies to patients in underserved and rural areas stretching from East Tennessee to southwestern Virginia.

The background of the project highlights that while targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies (TRT) have revolutionized cancer treatment, access remains limited in rural communities. The primary challenge is not the availability of technology, but a lack of training and awareness among healthcare providers. Without adequate education, nuclear medicine professionals and referring providers in these regions experience significant challenges to implement theranostic practices in community settings.

To address this gap, the project will develop and disseminate standardized training modules covering patient selection, radiopharmaceutical handling, imaging, dosimetry, and regulatory compliance. These materials will be available online and will serve as the foundation for four in-person workshops held at UT Medical Center, Carilion Clinic, and partner sites along the Appalachian corridor. Each workshop will include live patient case demonstrations and hands-on instruction, designed to build confidence and competence in applying theranostic techniques.

"This regional initiative provides the foundation for the development of robust radionuclide therapy services in the Appalachian region which we hope results in improved patient access to these novel therapies through expanded clinical services and clinical trials," said Dr. Osborne.

The impact of the program will be measured through pre- and post-training assessments to track knowledge gains, as well as hospital implementation metrics to evaluate changes in practice. Over time, the goal is to create a scalable model for rural theranostics education that can be expanded to other regions across the country.

The Mars Shot Research Fund was established to accelerate innovation in nuclear medicine by investing in transformative research and programs with the potential to change clinical practice and patient outcomes. The ARC initiative aligns with this mission by addressing geographic and systemic barriers to advanced cancer care through education and outreach.

The award will be distributed in phases over the course of the project, with progress tracked through interim and final reports submitted to SNMMI. Dr. Osborne will lead the initiative in collaboration with institutional and regional partners.

More information about the Mars Shot Research Fund is available at snmmi.org/MarsShot

Posted June 30, 2025