Welcome!
ALERT Upcoming Training Opportunities:
Do you need help finding specialized equipment or expert services for your research? Whether you are new to the Pitt research community or a regular shared facility user, join one of our upcoming webinars to learn more about the resources available across campus. These sessions will offer an overview of resources available, how to access equipment and services, iLab training, and an opportunity to ask questions.
Join one of the following two webinars:
No prior registration is required and anyone is welcome to join.
In addition, save the date for an in-person Shared Facility Showcase on the afternoon of Monday, October 19, 2026. More information about this event and how to register will be shared soon.
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SaMIRA, formerly the IVIF, provides state-of-the-art multimodal imaging and specialized support for the development and evaluation of radiopharmaceuticals across UPMC Hillman Cancer Center programs. Its facility offers a full suite of advanced small animal imaging platforms, including PETCT, SPECTCT (coming 2026), optical imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence), MRI, and ultrasound; enabling real time, noninvasive assessment of disease biology and therapeutic response in preclinical models. These capabilities help refine experimental design, reduce animal use, and promote ethical, reproducible research.
In addition to imaging services, SaMIRA supports radiopharmaceutical innovation by leveraging inhouse expertise in PET and SPECT tracer development, radiotherapeutic design and testing, and access to dedicated radiochemistry laboratories and radiation approved facilities. SaMIRA also contributes to clinical research by processing and evaluating patient samples from radiopharmaceutical trials.
Primary Sq. Ft: 1181
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Days of the Week |
Hours open |
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Monday – Friday |
9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
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24/7 for trained users on select instruments |
| Name | Role | Phone | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SaMIRA |
General Email
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412-864-7960
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SAMIRAhillman@groups.pitt.edu or ivifhillman@groups.pitt.edu
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Hillman Cancer Center G.12
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| Jessie Nedrow |
SaMIRA Facility Director
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Hillman Cancer Center G.17.b
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| T. Kevin Hitchens |
Modality Leader – MR Imaging
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McGowan Institute, Room 159.03
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| Hua Zhang |
Modality Leader – Ultrasound Imaging
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Hillman Cancer Center Research Pavilion 2.42d
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| Kathryn Day |
Research Technician
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Hillman Cancer Center G.12
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| Joseph Latuche |
Senior Research Specialist
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Hillman Cancer Center G.12
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| Angel Cortez |
Research Technician
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Hillman Cancer Center G.12
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| Lesley Foley |
Senior Imaging Scientist
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McGowan Institute, Room 159
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| Fixed Cost Services |
| ► unclassified (2) | |||
| Name | Description | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Chem - Unassisted | Inquire | ||
| CBC - Unassisted | Inquire | ||
