Meet Abass Alavi and Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen (May 2026)

The inspiring figures behind the EANM Alavi-Carlsen Award

Earlier this year, EANM proudly introduced a new distinction: the EANM Alavi-Carlsen Award. The prize recognises outstanding publications in one of the two EANM journals by young professionals under the age of 38 from anywhere in the world. One prize of €4,000 will be awarded yearly per journal and must be used for scientific development or training within institutions in Europe. 

Beyond this opportunity for early-career researchers, the award also honours two leading figures in the field of nuclear medicine. 

A pioneer in molecular imaging

Abass Alavi spent most of his career at the University of Pennsylvania, where he became one of the most influential figures in the history of medical imaging. A pioneer of molecular imaging, he was one of the first researchers to use FDG/PET scans in humans: a breakthrough that turned invisible biology into powerful diagnostic images for cancer, neurological and cardiovascular diseases. He was the first to administer FDG to a human being and to generate tomographic images of the brain and planar images of the entire body. Today, over 10,000 FDG PET scans are performed every day around the globe, a living legacy of the technology he helped create.  

With a career spanning more than five decades, Alavi has authored thousands of scientific publications and mentored generations of researchers, establishing himself as one of the most influential figures in medical imaging. His influence extends beyond the laboratory: he has also funded numerous awards and initiatives aimed at supporting young researchers and advancing innovation in medical imaging.  

Shaping imaging research

His long-standing academic collaborator, Danish physician and professor Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen, is likewise a leading figure in nuclear medicine. For more than forty years, he has contributed to the advancement of PET/CT imaging, not only through technical and clinical innovation, but through rigorous debate about how imaging results should be interpreted and applied in everyday healthcare.  

A partnership that changed a field

Together, Alavi and Carlsen, driven by a lifelong passion for improving patient care, have transformed how clinicians see the body and how researchers investigate and detect disease, pushing for more rigorous, clinically meaningful use of PET imaging. They have co-authored multiple scientific papers, and both have worked extensively on imaging biomarkers, especially in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. Their partnership has also demonstrated the power of international collaboration in driving scientific innovation. 

The EANM Alavi-Carlsen Award

The EANM Alavi-Carlsen Award was established to honour that legacy – and to invest in the researchers who will carry it forward. Made possible through Alavi’s generous support, the award celebrates and supports young scientists and their contributions to nuclear medicine research, while honouring the legacy of two inspiring figures who have shaped the field.  

Find out more about the EANM Alavi-Carlsen Award here.