International Collaboration Report: Fetal MRI and Cardiovascular Research Exchange (March 2026)
I. Visit Overview
At the invitation of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), Dr. Zhenglun Alan Wei of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), and Professor Liona C. Poon of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sun Liqun from Zhejiang University traveled to Washington D.C., Worcester (USA), and Hong Kong SAR from March 4 to March 10, 2026. During the visit, Sun Liqun attended an academic symposium, delivered invited lectures, and conducted academic site visits and collaborative exchanges.
II. Visit Outcomes
1. High-Level Academic Presentations: At the ISMRM Prenatal MRI Workshop, Sun Liqun delivered two invited lectures entitled “Placental Development and Physiology (Health and Disease)” and “The Impact of Congenital Heart Disease on Fetal Brain Development.” These presentations showcased recent research advancements and facilitated in-depth discussions with international peers.
2. In-Depth Technical Exchange and Collaboration: A site visit was conducted at the AIMCardio Lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where Sun Liqun engaged in intensive discussions with Dr. Zhenglun Alan Wei on technical details and clinical collaboration, laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
3. Clinical Discussions and Platform Visits: A visit to the Poon Lab at The Chinese University of Hong Kong enabled productive discussions with Professor Liona C. Poon on two key clinical topics: (1) fetal cardiovascular physiology in placental insufficiency, and (2) the effect of aspirin on small for gestational-age infants delivered by pregnant women at high risk of preeclampsia. The exchange deepened understanding of these clinically challenging issues.
III. Work Suggestions and Future Directions
Based on the outcomes of this visit, the following future collaboration directions and recommendations are proposed:
1. Technical Collaboration: Focus on patient specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of the fetal aorta, with model validation using 4D Flow MRI. Both parties will further clarify technical details and collaboration points in this area to promote the application of cutting edge techniques in fetal medicine research.
2. Academic Exchange and Grant Collaboration: Both sides have reached preliminary consensus on pursuing substantive cooperation in academic exchanges and joint research grant applications. Specific directions and implementation pathways have been identified.
Figure 1. March 5, 2026 — Keynote Lecture: Fetal Cardiovascular Physiology in Placental Insufficiency (25 minutes)
Figure 2. March 6, 2026 — Keynote Lecture: Prenatal Brain Injury in Congenital Heart Disease: Underlying Mechanisms and Comorbidities (25 minutes)
Figure 3. Group photo with Professor Mike Seed, Director of the Heart Center at The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Professor David Lloyd, Senior Research Fellow at the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, Consultant in Fetal and Pediatric Cardiology; and Professor Mehdi Hedjazi Moghari, Professor in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Co-Director of Research at the Heart Institute
Figure 4. Group photo with Professor Mehdi Hedjazimoghari (Conference Chair) from the West Virginia University School of Medicine.
Figure 5. March 7–8, 2026 — Visit to AIMCardio Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Figure 6. March 10, 2026 — Visit to Poon Lab, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, with a group photo of Professor Poon and the team
.
Figure 7. Discussing “Research Advances in Fetal Growth Restriction” with Professor Poon and
her team.
Figure 8. On the Integrated Prenatal and Postnatal Management of Fetal Transposition of the Great Arteries.
