ASPNR 2027 Heads to Miami with Expanded Education, AI Initiatives, and New Clinical Perspectives

As the American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology (ASPNR) prepares for its 9th Annual Scientific Meeting in Miami Beach, January 21–24, 2027, expectations are building for an expanded educational program featuring new clinical topics, advanced imaging technologies, and opportunities for collaboration. Applied Radiology Group Publisher Kieran Anderson recently sat down with Aashim Bhatia, MD, a pediatric neuroradiologist and program chair for ASPNR 2027, to discuss what is new, what attendees can expect, and why this meeting promises to be one of the society’s most ambitious yet.

With more than 400 attendees expected, ASPNR 2027 is shaping up to be one of the society’s largest annual meetings. According to Dr. Bhatia, interest in the scientific program has also reached new heights, with a record number of more than 200 abstract submissions. This year, all three abstract categories (scientific, educational, and case reports) move to a digital format, with touch-screen e-posters in the exhibit hall and poster areas. Highlighted educational exhibits will be presented live at Sunday’s Posters & Mimosas session, and select cases will be published in AJNR and on the ASPNR website.

AI Takes Center Stage

Artificial intelligence will be a major focus of ASPNR 2027, with a new AI workshop, Neural Networks for Neuroradiologists: AI from Zero to Deployment, joining the core curriculum and advanced imaging workshops on Thursday. According to Dr. Bhatia, the goal is to help bridge the gap between the development of AI technologies and their adoption in pediatric imaging, where relatively few applications have received regulatory clearance for use in children.

While AI continues to gain traction across radiology, Dr. Bhatia believes some of the earliest opportunities in pediatric imaging will involve improving clinical workflows, streamlining reporting, and making better use of patient data. The workshop will bring together clinicians, researchers, and industry representatives to explore these opportunities and discuss how AI technologies might be better adapted to pediatric practice.

Another new addition is the Pediatric Neuro AI Pitch Stage, a Shark Tank–style session scheduled for Saturday, where attendees will have an opportunity to present their ideas directly to a panel of industry representatives. The goal is to encourage collaboration between researchers and technology developers, potentially leading to new partnerships and future applications designed specifically for pediatric imaging.

Expanding the Scientific Program

Beyond AI, attendees can look forward to several new additions to the scientific program, including greater participation from neurosurgeons, a dedicated session on pediatric neurointervention that covers fetal vein of Galen malformation treatment, and a new MR safety session featuring leading MR safety experts, with radiologists and MRI technologists co-presenting. Thursday’s Advanced Topics workshop, Physics Meets the Reading Room, will pair physicists and clinicians on MR spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography, diffusion tensor imaging, arterial spin labeling and functional MRI, offering attendees insight into techniques that are shaping the future of pediatric neuroradiology.

ASPNR is also expanding its educational opportunities for residents, fellows, and early-career physicians. The Thursday core curriculum will begin a new three-year cycle and, in response to attendee feedback, will incorporate case-based, exam-style self-assessment questions written by ASPNR faculty. A Young Professionals Section mentor mixer on Saturday will provide additional opportunities to connect with experienced colleagues and discuss topics ranging from career development to remote work and AI integration.

Reflecting the society's growing international outreach, ASPNR 2027 will also feature a dedicated session, The Child with a First Seizure Across the Americas, with presenters from Brazil, Mexico, and the Ibero-Latin American Society of Neuroradiology (SILAN). The session represents another opportunity to bring new perspectives and expertise to the meeting while strengthening connections with the international pediatric neuroradiology community.

More Than Just a Scientific Meeting

The opportunity to gather with colleagues in Miami Beach is another reason to attend. The meeting will be held at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach, where attendees can look forward to a full schedule of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and social events.

Among the planned activities are an art tour and social gathering in Miami's Wynwood district, along with Miami Nights @ LIV, a Saturday evening gala at the Fontainebleau's renowned nightclub. Friday’s Opening Reception will feature a live Cuban band and a vendor-versus-institution dance-off, and a mentalist will make an appearance during the main program. These activities are designed to give attendees additional opportunities to connect with colleagues outside the meeting rooms.

Giving back will also be part of the ASPNR 2027 experience. Dr. Bhatia highlighted a planned community service initiative with Ronald McDonald House, as well as a new fundraising collaboration between Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and ASPNR’s BNH Founders Grant, an endowment honoring society founders Drs. James Barkovich, Thomas Naidich and Derek Harwood-Nash that supports pediatric neuroradiology research. Proceeds from specially designed “Champion for Change” T-shirts will be split equally between the two.

With an expanded scientific program, new opportunities for collaboration, and a memorable setting, ASPNR 2027 promises to offer something for everyone, from established pediatric neuroradiologists to those just beginning their careers. As Dr. Bhatia emphasized throughout our conversation, the meeting is about more than sharing the latest research and clinical advances. It's also about bringing the pediatric neuroradiology community together to exchange ideas, build relationships, and help shape the future of the specialty.

Watch the accompanying Applied Radiology interview with Dr. Bhatia to learn more about what's planned for ASPNR 2027.