Dr. Steven George Imbesi, MD

Dr. Steven G. Imbesi received his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (Magna Cum laude, Valedictorian in Chemistry) in 1985 and Doctor of Medicine degree from Jefferson Medical College (top ten percent graduate) in 1989. He completed an Internal Medicine internship at Pennsylvania Hospital in 1990, a Diagnostic Radiology residency at Pennsylvania Hospital in 1994, and a two-year Neuroradiology fellowship at the University of California, Davis in 1996. He is certified by the American Board of Radiology with a certificate of Added Qualification in Neuroradiology.

Dr. Imbesi remained on the medical staff as an attending physician at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California for two additional years as an Instructor and Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology. Then for the following 2 1/2 years as Assistant Professor of Radiology and Neurosurgery at the Hospital of the University of …Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In January, 2001, he became a faculty member at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center as Assistant Professor of Radiology and presently as Associate Professor of Radiology and Neurosurgery.

Among many other projects, presentations, and papers, he has authored a basic science research paper entitled, "Why Do Ulcerated Atherosclerotic Human Carotid Artery Plaques Embolize? A Flow Dynamics Study." where he investigated the flow dynamics and concomitant pressure relationships in ulcerated carotid artery plaques utilizing clear silicone elastic replicas; the results of which elucidate the reasons for subsequent embolization and stroke. This paper has been published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology, has been presented at the ASNR, and was the winner of the Cornelius G. Dyke Memorial Award in 1997. He has also published multiple basic science research papers analyzing the flow dynamics of intracranial aneurysms, his main research interest. This information has supported the recent hypothesis that aneurysms are a degenerative phenomenon and not a congenital lesion, the previous commonly held theory. Additionally, with this type of experimentation, he has shown the intra-aneurysmal flow alterations and pressure changes that occur following different present state-of-the-art treatment modalities to determine their efficacy. He has received the Neuroradiology Education and Research Foundation Scholar Award to continue this work in cerebral aneurysm research, particularly to evaluate new innovative approaches and devices for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, in particular regarding occlusion of the presently difficult to treat wide-necked aneurysms as well as the use of a new liquid embolic agent occlusion device.

Besides his academic duties, Dr. Imbesi is also actively involved in athletic activities. He is an avid cyclist, particularly road racing, and has competed in races throughout the United States and abroad. He also enjoys skiing, scuba diving, rock climbing, and surfing. Albeit, these activities have provided him with an occasional escape from his professional pursuits, they have helped him maintain a well-rounded, balanced life, and most importantly, an excellent state of health.