Mari Hagiwara, MD

As an academic neuroradiologist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, I am dedicated to delivering expert diagnostic care, advancing imaging research, and fostering collaboration across medical specialties. My role as the inaugural director of head and neck imaging allows me to focus on precise, high-quality imaging of complex areas such as the skull base, cranial nerves, paranasal sinuses, temporal bones, orbits, face, and neck. I am passionate about streamlining patient care, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and ensuring seamless coordination for our patients with head and neck conditions.

I specialize in head and neck imaging and have been committed to this field for over a decade. My work involves close collaboration with departments such as Otolaryngology, Oral Surgery, and Ophthalmology. As a member of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Neurologic Imaging Panel, I contribute to developing imaging guidelines, helping physicians make informed decisions about the best imaging tools for head and neck conditions. My research focuses on advanced imaging techniques to better diagnose and treat head and neck pathologies. I have co-investigated multiple NIH-funded projects, including studies on swallow function, diffusion MRI for treatment response, and FDG-PET (fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography) and perfusion MRI for identifying nodal disease.

My commitment to education is evident in my 12-year tenure as the program director for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited neuroradiology fellowship at NYU Langone, where I ensured that our fellows received comprehensive and adaptive training. In recognition of my dedication to education, I received the New York Roentgen Society Distinguished Educator Award in 2019. I also share my expertise at national conferences and through leadership roles with professional organizations, including the American Society of Neuroradiology, American Society of Head and Neck Radiology, and the Eastern Neuroradiological Society.

My journey into medicine was inspired by a desire to work at the intersection of patient care, research, and education, all aligned with the mission of NYU Grossman School of Medicine. It is a privilege to contribute to the advancement of neuroradiology and to support the health and wellbeing of our patients through innovative imaging techniques and collaborative care.