The University of Delaware College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the Nemours Foundation have formed a new collaborative relationship that unites community expertise, research and educational resources to expand the care and services to children and families in the Delaware Valley.

The agreement expands research and educational collaborations related to autism services, including the creation of an autism focused academic program at UD and a positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) suite at Nemours. PET/MRI is a hybrid modality that incorporates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) functional imaging for use in neurology, oncology and cardiology.

The agreement also includes the joint appointment of Diane Chugani as both professor at UD and principal research scientist at Nemours through the Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) grant and ACCEL program. Chugani is internationally recognized for her research and leadership in the field of autism.

This collaborative effort complements the developing autism program at Nemours and will expand shared research and education opportunities between both organizations, throughout the state and region.

The agreement advances UD’s study and research into communication disorders by building an academic program with a special focus on autism as well as increasing contributing to a growing neuroimaging community. It enhances Nemours’ ability to provide health care to children through research and the development of improved treatment methods and services.

Chugani accepted a tenured faculty position in the College of Health Sciences, where she will provide research and academic support to build the academic program and spearhead the research/education collaborative between Nemours and UD.

Additionally, she will remain principal research scientist at Nemours, where she will continue to participate in the development of a state of the art preclinical and clinical imaging program for research in neurodevelopmental disorders.

“We are thrilled to have Diane join UD and the CHS team,” said Kathleen S. Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “Her expertise in the field of autism will be a great asset to the University and our partners at Nemours, and throughout the state and region.”