Title: 1) Assistant Director of Education for the Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute; 2) Assistant Professor of Research
Company: 1) University of Southern California; 2) University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Kay Jann, PhD, Assistant Director of Education for the Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute at the University of Southern California, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements and leadership in Neuroimaging and Informatics.
Dr. Jann is lauded as a leading expert in neuroimaging and informatics, with a distinguished career spanning over years. Since 2021, he has served as the assistant director of education at the Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute at the University of Southern California. In this capacity, Dr. Jann is responsible for developing innovative analytical procedures to enhance the quality of MRI scans and brain function data. He is also deeply committed to supporting students in their research analysis, reflecting his dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists. Dr. Jann’s role encompasses developing training programs, teaching courses such as Fundamentals in Human Neuroimaging, overseeing admissions, and organizing outreach initiatives that highlight his team’s pioneering work for visiting students and academic programs.
Additionally, Dr. Jann has been instrumental in the classroom as an assistant professor of research at the University of Southern California since 2016. During his tenure, he achieved a significant milestone by securing his first R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health. This prestigious federal research award established him as an independent researcher in the United States. The five-year project supported by this grant concluded its initial term in April 2025, with ongoing work continuing under a no-cost extension. Dr. Jann also remains actively engaged in other funded research initiatives, ensuring sustained contributions to his field.
Earlier, in 2016, Dr. Jann was an assistant project scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, after completing his postdoctoral work there from 2013 to 2016. He began his professional journey as a research assistant at the University of Bern from 2009 to 2010, where he contributed to foundational studies that set the stage for his future achievements. He also undertook postdoctoral work at the University of Bern between 2010 and 2013, focusing on advanced neuroscience research.
Dr. Jann’s academic background has been instrumental in shaping his success. He received a Bachelor of Arts in biology and a Master of Arts in neuroscience from ETH Zurich, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in neuroscience, summa cum laude, from the University of Bern, Switzerland, in 2009. Dr. Jann’s commitment to ethical research practices is underscored by certification in biomedical human subjects from the CITI Program.
Throughout his career, Dr. Jann has demonstrated leadership within professional organizations. He has been a member of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine since 2006 and previously served as the president of the Students’ Association of Natural Science.
As a respected industry leader, Dr. Jann has authored and co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and medical journal articles, reflecting both depth and breadth in neuroimaging research.
Dr. Jann’s contributions have been recognized with several honors, including the Foundation Adrian and Simone Frutiger Scientific Prize and an Advanced Postdoctoral Mobility Fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Looking ahead, Dr. Jann aspires to be promoted to associate professor and to advance noninvasive, cost-effective functional MRI techniques to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease. His ongoing research aims to develop safer alternatives to traditional PET imaging, tools that are more accessible and suitable for repeated use, ultimately enabling earlier detection and intervention for those at risk as populations age. Dr. Jann’s career reflects not only scientific excellence but also a profound commitment to education and mentorship within the neuroimaging community.
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