Val M. Runge, MD is a Professor of Radiology, and has been the Editor-in-Chief of Investigative Radiology since 1994 (with the 50th anniversay of the journal in 2015). He is also a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and has been since their respective inceptions in 1991 and 1988. Runge is an early pioneer in MR, known for his work in the early 1980s demonstrating for the first time the potential (RSNA 1982) as well as diagnostic utility (ASNR 1984) of intravenous contrast media in MR, specifically the gadolinium chelates.
Runge was born in Austin, Texas and graduated from Stanford University obtaining a bachelor of science degree in 1978 with honors in Chemistry. He subsequently received his MD from Stanford University School of Medicine in 1982 (and is listed amongst their top 20 notable alumni). Following completion of a Diagnostic Radiology Residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Runge was appointed as Assistant Professor and Chief of Service for Magnetic Resonance at Tufts University School of Medicine in 1986. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1988. In 1990 he was appointed Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Director of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center, and the Rosenbaum Endowed Chair of Diagnostic Radiology, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center. In 2002, Runge was appointed the Robert and Alma Moreton Centennial Chair in Radiology, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, and Professor of Radiology at the Texas A&M Health Science Center. In 2010 he was appointed the John Sealy Distinguished Chair and Professor of Radiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. In 2011, he received an honorary appointment as a Visiting Professor at Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Central China. Subsequent to his position at UTMB, Runge lived and worked in residence in Zurich, Switzerland as a Visiting Professor at the University Hospital of Zürich (2013-2015). His current position is as a Professor at the University of Bern, in Switzerland's capital.
Runge is the author of more than 230 peer-reviewed papers published in the scientific literature. He is also the editor for nineteen medical textbooks, with many of these translated into other languages, including German, Chinese, Polish and Turkish. His four most recent textbooks are Essentials of Clinical MR, 2nd edition (http://www.radiologie.insel.ch/de/lehre-und-forschung/essentials-in-clinical-mr-imaging/chapters/) - published in 2019, The Physics of Clinical MR Taught Through Images, 4th edition (https://www.thieme.com/books-main/radiological-technology/product/4887-the-physics-of-clinical-mr-taught-through-images), Neuroradiology - the Essentials with MR and CT (http://clinical-mri.com/neuroradiology-the-essentials-with-mr-and-ct-val-murray-runge-md/) and Imaging of Cerebrovascular Disease (http://www.thieme.com/books-main/radiology/product/3591-imaging-of-cerebrovascular-disease), with the last three published by Thieme (with 2014, 2015 and 2017 copyright dates, respectively). He has given more than 800 scientific and invited presentations at national and international meetings and medical schools across North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, Korea and China over the past 30 years.
Runge remains active in research and development of MRI contrast agents and advanced MRI imaging techniques. Recent notable publications include "Recent Technological Advances in Computed Tomography and the Clinical Impact Therein" published in the February 2015 issue of the journal, "Safety of the Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Focusing in Part on Their Accumulation in the Brain and Especially the Dentate Nucleus" published in the May 2016 issue of the journal, “Speed in Clinical Magnetic Resonance” published in the January 2017 issue of the journal, “Critical Questions Regarding Gadolinium Deposition in the Brain and Body After Injections of the Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents - Safety, and Clinical Recommendations in Consideration of the EMA's Pharmacovigilance and Risk Assessment Committee Recommendation for Suspension of the Marketing Authorizations for 4 Linear Agents” published in the June 2017 issue of the journal, “Advocating the Development of Next-Generation High-Relaxivity Gadolinium Chelates for Clinical Magnetic Resonance” published in the July 2018 issue of the journal, “Dechelation (Transmetalation): Consequences and Safety Concerns With the Linear Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents, In View of Recent Health Care Rulings by the EMA (Europe), FDA (United States), and PMDA (Japan)” published in the October 2018 issue of the journal, “Motion in Magnetic Resonance: New Paradigms for Improved Clinical Diagnosis” published in the July 2019 issue of the journal and “Gadolinium-Based MRI Contrast Agents Induce Mitochondrial Toxicity and Cell Death in Human Neurons, and Toxicity Increases With Reduced Kinetic Stability of the Agent” published in the August 2019 issue of the journal. Runge maintains an educational website, www.clinical-mri.com, for which he and other international experts provide insights on MR imaging techniques and strategies. In 2011, Runge received the Harry Fisher Medal for Excellence in Contrast Media Research from the Contrast Media Research Society. Other academic honors include the Executive Council Award from the American Roentgen Ray Society (for his early seminal research involving the study of multiple sclerosis on MR imaging), the Dyke Memorial Award from the American Society of Neuroradiology (for MR contrast media research), and a Magna Cum Laude Award (for the best scientific exhibit) from the Radiological Society of North America. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Radiology (1986).
Back to Editorial Board
