Ron Kikinis
As of October 2026, Ron Kikinis is a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, and his work paved the way for AI-assisted diagnostics. He earned his MD at the University of Zurich in 1982 and joined Brigham and Women's Hospital in 1988. In 1990 he founded the Surgical Planning Laboratory there. A 1999 MIT master's thesis describes 3D Slicer, software built with his advising. He received the inaugural MICCAI Enduring Impact Award in 2009 and the 2026 International Excellence Award of KIT.
Timeline
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1982–1988
From Zurich to Boston
He earns an MD from the University of Zurich in 1982 and joins Brigham and Women's Hospital in 1988 after research at ETH Zurich.
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1990
Founding the Surgical Planning Laboratory
He founds the Surgical Planning Laboratory in the radiology department of Brigham and Women's Hospital in 1990.
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1999
Origins of 3D Slicer
A 1999 MIT master's thesis describes 3D Slicer, which David Gering builds at the Surgical Planning Laboratory with advising from Ron Kikinis.
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2004
Professor at Harvard Medical School
In 2004 he becomes professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School.
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2009
The MICCAI Enduring Impact Award
He receives the inaugural MICCAI Enduring Impact Award in 2009.
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2014–2020
Directing Fraunhofer MEVIS
From 2014 to 2020, he directs the Fraunhofer MEVIS institute in Bremen, Germany.
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2026
A 2026 KIT excellence award
He receives the 2026 International Excellence Award of KIT. His work paves the way for current developments in AI-assisted diagnostics, personalized medicine, and digitalized healthcare.
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As of October 2026
Current work in global health
He is a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School and founding director of the Surgical Planning Laboratory at Brigham and Women's Hospital. His current work concerns global health and the digital transformation in medicine.
Sources and credits
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