image: Nearly 8,000 Gather in New Orleans for SNMMI 2025 Annual Meeting Offering Groundbreaking Research, Education and Clinical Innovation.
Credit: Image courtesy of SNMMI.
NEW ORLEANS (June 25, 2025)—The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) welcomed 7,800 physicians, technologists, pharmacists, laboratory professionals, scientists, industry leaders and patients this week at its 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, themed “Accelerating the Cure.” With the rapid pace of evolution in the specialty, the meeting provided a key forum for sharing new research and ideas and building connections.
“Our field is experiencing a surge of innovations that are bringing us closer to a cure for many diseases,” said Jean-Luc C. Urbain, MD, PhD, CPE, FASNC, newly elected SNMMI president. “Staying abreast of the latest developments is essential, and the cutting-edge education and exhibit hall at the Annual Meeting gave attendees the perfect opportunity to learn about advances shaping the future of nuclear medicine practice and research.”
Attendees were able to choose from more than 120 continuing education and scientific sessions covering innovations in oncology, neurology, cardiology and beyond. From theranostics and artificial intelligence to FAPI-targeted imaging and novel imaging probes, the program reflected the fast-changing landscape of the specialty. The Science Pavilion featured more than 750 posters, while more than 210 exhibitors showcased the latest innovations in the largest exhibition in SNMMI meetings history.
The meeting featured new programming and engaging networking events. The inaugural “Intersection Sessions” explored how nuclear medicine intersects with other practices and emerging technologies. The AI Showcase: Innovation in Action brought together leading academicians and industry pioneers to share artificial intelligence models, while arena sessions and the Eye on U stage offered education in novel formats. A reimagined Knowledge Bowl was a fast-paced showdown of clinical expertise and scientific savvy.
SNMMI was also pleased to welcome Australia and New Zealand as the 2025 Highlight Countries, celebrating global collaboration in molecular imaging and therapy.
The meeting marked a transition in SNMMI leadership, with the installation of 2025-26 officers. In addition to Urbain as president, Heather Jacene, MD, was named president-elect and Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD, vice president-elect. SNMMI Technologist Section officers for 2025-26 are Cybil Nielsen, MBA, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, as president and Shannon Youngblood, EdD, MSRS, CNMT, RT(CT)(ARRT), as president-elect.
A series of prestigious awards recognized exceptional contributions to the field. Among those, Wynn Volkert, PhD, received the prestigious Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award, and Julie Price, PhD, received the Paul C. Aebersold Award for Outstanding Achievement in Basic Nuclear Medicine Science. Steven Liang, PhD, received the Sam Gambhir, MD, Trailblazer Award. Eight new SNMMI Fellows and two new SNMMI-TS Fellows were also recognized during the meeting.
The prestigious SNMMI Image of the Year—a grouping of images comparing 18F-AlF-NOTA-PCP2 and 18F-FDG uptake in head and neck cancer patients—was announced during the Monday plenary; the image was created by Yong Wang, MD, and colleagues for their abstract “Can [18F]FDG-PET/CT Predict PD-L1 Expression in Head and Neck Carcinoma? A Head-to-Head Comparison with a Novel PD-L1 PET Tracer.” The Abstract of the Year was awarded to Robert de Kemp, PhD, and colleagues for their study “Quantification of Myocardial Flow Reserve using Exercise Stress F-18-Flurpiridaz PET Imaging.”
On Sunday at the Henry N. Wagner, Jr., MD, Lecture, Andrew Scott, MD, of Austin Health (Australia) discussed global advances in theranostics. On Monday at the Hal Anger Lecture, Yuni Dewaraja, PhD, from the University of Michigan shared insights on the future of dosimetry-driven clinical trials, predictive modeling, and novel imaging methodologies. To conclude the meeting, speakers at the Henry N. Wagner, Jr., Highlights Symposium offered their insights on the most important science presented at the Annual Meeting.
Mark your calendars: SNMMI heads to Los Angeles, California, on May 30-June 2 for the 2026 Annual Meeting. Learn more about the SNMMI Annual Meeting at NEW ORLEANS (June 25, 2025)—The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) welcomed 7,800 physicians, technologists, pharmacists, laboratory professionals, scientists, industry leaders and patients this week at its 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, themed “Accelerating the Cure.” With the rapid pace of evolution in the specialty, the meeting provided a key forum for sharing new research and ideas and building connections.
“Our field is experiencing a surge of innovations that are bringing us closer to a cure for many diseases,” said Jean-Luc C. Urbain, MD, PhD, CPE, FASNC, newly elected SNMMI president. “Staying abreast of the latest developments is essential, and the cutting-edge education and exhibit hall at the Annual Meeting gave attendees the perfect opportunity to learn about advances shaping the future of nuclear medicine practice and research.”
Attendees were able to choose from more than 120 continuing education and scientific sessions covering innovations in oncology, neurology, cardiology and beyond. From theranostics and artificial intelligence to FAPI-targeted imaging and novel imaging probes, the program reflected the fast-changing landscape of the specialty. The Science Pavilion featured more than 750 posters, while more than 210 exhibitors showcased the latest innovations in the largest exhibition in SNMMI meetings history.
The meeting featured new programming and engaging networking events. The inaugural “Intersection Sessions” explored how nuclear medicine intersects with other practices and emerging technologies. The AI Showcase: Innovation in Action brought together leading academicians and industry pioneers to share artificial intelligence models, while arena sessions and the Eye on U stage offered education in novel formats. A reimagined Knowledge Bowl was a fast-paced showdown of clinical expertise and scientific savvy.
SNMMI was also pleased to welcome Australia and New Zealand as the 2025 Highlight Countries, celebrating global collaboration in molecular imaging and therapy.
The meeting marked a transition in SNMMI leadership, with the installation of 2025-26 officers. In addition to Urbain as president, Heather Jacene, MD, was named president-elect and Gary Ulaner, MD, PhD, vice president-elect. SNMMI Technologist Section officers for 2025-26 are Cybil Nielsen, MBA, CNMT, FSNMMI-TS, as president and Shannon Youngblood, EdD, MSRS, CNMT, RT(CT)(ARRT), as president-elect.
A series of prestigious awards recognized exceptional contributions to the field. Among those, Wynn Volkert, PhD, received the prestigious Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award, and Julie Price, PhD, received the Paul C. Aebersold Award for Outstanding Achievement in Basic Nuclear Medicine Science. Steven Liang, PhD, received the Sam Gambhir, MD, Trailblazer Award. Eight new SNMMI Fellows and two new SNMMI-TS Fellows were also recognized during the meeting.
The prestigious SNMMI Image of the Year—a grouping of images comparing 18F-AlF-NOTA-PCP2 and 18F-FDG uptake in head and neck cancer patients—was announced during the Monday plenary; the image was created by Yong Wang, MD, and colleagues for their abstract “Can [18F]FDG-PET/CT Predict PD-L1 Expression in Head and Neck Carcinoma? A Head-to-Head Comparison with a Novel PD-L1 PET Tracer.” The Abstract of the Year was awarded to Robert de Kemp, PhD, and colleagues for their study “Quantification of Myocardial Flow Reserve using Exercise Stress F-18-Flurpiridaz PET Imaging.”
On Sunday at the Henry N. Wagner, Jr., MD, Lecture, Andrew Scott, MD, of Austin Health (Australia) discussed global advances in theranostics. On Monday at the Hal Anger Lecture, Yuni Dewaraja, PhD, from the University of Michigan shared insights on the future of dosimetry-driven clinical trials, predictive modeling, and novel imaging methodologies. To conclude the meeting, speakers at the Henry N. Wagner, Jr., Highlights Symposium offered their insights on the most important science presented at the Annual Meeting.
Mark your calendars: SNMMI heads to Los Angeles, California, on May 30-June 2 for the 2026 Annual Meeting. Learn more about the SNMMI Annual Meeting at www.snmmi.org/am.
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About the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to advancing nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, and theranostics—precision medicine that allows diagnosis and treatment to be tailored to individual patients in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. For more information, visit www.snmmi.org.