Fergus V. Coakley, MD

Clinical Research Interests

Body Computer Tomography Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Fergus Coakley MD's research interests are in body CT and MRI. His research is primarily clinical, which is a reflection of the strong clinical emphasis during his medical training as a medical student at University College, Cork, Ireland, and as a medical resident at University College, Dublin, Ireland. His later radiological training as a Radiology Resident at Leicester University, England, and as a Body Imaging Fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, also emphasized clinical relevance. The diversity of his training in Ireland, England, and the US and, in addition, his medical student elective in Sierra Leone gives him a broad view of the differing patterns of medical practice, and the requirement for research and teaching to be appropriate to local needs and resources.

His research shows particular emphasis on oncological applications of CT and MRI, which is a natural evolution from his initial research into the detection of pulmonary metastases by spiral CT at Indiana University Medical Center in 1995 to his later work in MRCP at Memorial Sloan-Kettering cancer Center in 1996/97 and MRI of prostate cancer at UCSF in 1997/2000. As a junior Faculty member at UCSF, Coakley was an active collaborator with Hedvig Hricak, MD, PhD in prostate imaging research. Continued development and refinements in the techniques of prostate MRI and MRSI are extremely promising, and have the potential to allow accurate evaluation of prostate cancer stage, volume and aggressiveness by a single non-invasive procedure. He has continued this research since returning to UCSF, and is currently the co-principal investigator with Jeffrey Weinreb, MD at New York University Hospital for the ongoing American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) study of MRI and MRSI of prostate cancer.

Obstetric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Obstetric MRI has been Coakley’s second major research interest. He helped develop the technique of fetal MRI at UCSF between 1997 and 2000, working with collaborators from the Ultrasound Section, Pediatric Neuroradiology Section, and the Fetal Treatment Center, notably Drs Roy Filly, Jim Barkovich, Michael Harrison, and Craig Albanese. This work has resulted in the increasing use of MRI as a supplement to obstetric US in complex fetal anomalies, and has been the subject of several scientific presentations, papers, and intramural grants.

Innovative Imaging Developments

Coakley has found his research involvement with innovative imaging developments such as spiral CT, MRCP, prostate MRI, and fetal MRI to be exciting and rewarding, particularly his role in the teams that have optimized these techniques for clinical use. Abdominopelvic oncologic imaging and obstetric MRI are the major areas of research activity and grant funding within the Abdominal Imaging Section at UCSF.

Prostate Cancer Imaging

Coakley is actively involved in the ongoing evolution of MRI and MRSI of prostate cancer. This technology has been spearheaded by a multi-disciplinary team at UCSF, with members drawn from Abdominal Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Science Center, Pathology, Radiation Oncology and Urology. In particular, Coakley has been interested in exploring the clinical applications and limitations, based on correlation with step-section pathology specimens or patient outcome.

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