Faculty
William D. O'Brien
Donald Biggar Willett Professor in Engineering
Professor
4255 Beckman Institute, MC-251
405 N. Mathews
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-2407
PhD Electrical Engineering University of Illinois l970
Research Interests:
- Ultrasonic Biophysics and Bioeffects
- Acoustic Microscopy
- Ultrasonic Bioengineering
- Ultrasonic Dosimetry
- Ultrasonic Tissue Characterization
- Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) Imaging Techniques
For more information:
Bioacoustics Research Laboratory Home Page
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements
- IEEE Life Fellow, 2008
- IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society’s 2006 Outstanding Paper Award in the IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control (vol. 53, pp. 126-136, 2006)
- AIUM William J. Fry Memorial Lecture Award, 2007
- NIH MERIT Award, 2006
- Distinguished Service Award for 2003 from the IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society
- Donald Biggar Willet Professor of Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois (2003-present)
- IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000
- Plenary Speaker, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Annual Conference, 1999
- IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society's Achievement Award, 1998
- IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society Distinguished Lecturer, 1997-1998
- Honorary Member, Society of Vascular Technology, 1996
- AIUM Joseph H. Holmes Basic Science Pioneer Award, 1993
- Founding Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, 1992
- AIUM Presidential Recognition Award, 1992
- Outstanding IEEE Student Branch Counselor Award for IEEE Region 4, 1989
- Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 1989
- AIUM/WFUMB Ultrasound Pioneer Award, 1988
- AIUM Presidential Recognition Award, 1985
- Fellow, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, 1985
- IEEE Centennial Medal, 1984
- Fellow, Acoustical Society of America, 1982
- Eta Kappa Nu, 1977
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Teaching
- UIUC College of Engineering’s Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, 2004.
- Outstanding IEEE Student Branch Counselor Award for IEEE Region 4, 1989
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Research
- IEEE Life Fellow, 2008
- IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society’s 2006 Outstanding Paper Award in the IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control (vol. 53, pp. 126-136, 2006)
- AIUM William J. Fry Memorial Lecture Award, 2007
- NIH MERIT Award, 2006
- Distinguished Service Award for 2003 from the IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society
- Donald Biggar Willet Professor of Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois (2003-present)
- IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000
- IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society’s Achievement Award, 1998
- IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society Distinguished Lecturer, 1997-1998
- Honorary Member, Society of Vascular Technology, 1996
- AIUM Joseph H. Holmes Basic Science Pioneer Award, 1993
- Fellow: American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (1992)
- AIUM Presidential Recognition Award, 1992
- Fellow: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (1989)
- AIUM/WFUMB Ultrasound Pioneer Award, 1988
- AIUM Presidential Recognition Award, 1985
- Fellow: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (1985)
- IEEE Centennial Medal, 1984
- Fellow: Acoustical Society of America (1982)
- Editorial Boards: Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasonography, Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Editor-in-Chief, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control(1985-2001)
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Public Service
- U.S. National Committee, ANSI: Member, TC87 Working Group 12, 1995-present; Project Leader, TC87 Working Group 7, 2000-present
- NIH Resource on Biomedical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology Center: Chair, Advisory Committee, 1998-present
- World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB): Safety Standards Committee, 1984-1989; Treasurer, 1991-1994
- American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE): Member, Fellows Selection Subcommittee on Imaging, 1996-1997; Chair, Fellows Selection Subcommittee on Imaging, 1998-2000
- NIH (US National Institutes of Health) Diagnostic Radiology Study Section, regular member, 1992-1996.
- American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS): Board of Directors, 1988-1993; Member, Finance Committee, 1988-1993; Member, Test Format Committee, 1988-1989; Chair, Physics Test, 1988-1994; Co-chair, Constitution Committee, 1989-1990; Member, Long Range Planning Committee, 1990-1992; Member, Constitution Revision Committee, 1992-1993
- The Conference for Ultrasonics in Biophysic and Bioengineering Allerton House Organizer (Organizer annually since 1978; sponsored by the Bioacoustics Research Laboratory, UIUC). Conference came to a glorious closure in 2003 after 25 terrific meetings.
- Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS): Advisor (1984-1987)
- Acoustical Society of America (ASA): Technical Program Committee, 1972-1973; Technical Committee on Bioresponse to Vibration and Biomedical Ultrasound (1998-2002)
- AIUM Finance Committee: Member, 1981; Vice Chair, 1981-1985; Chair, 1985-1986
- AIUM ultrasound safety standards' activities: Co-chair, AIUM/NEMA Ultrasound Safety Standard, 1976-1982; Co-chair, Revision, AIUM/NEMA Ultrasound Safety Standard, 1985-89; FDA Task Group, 1987; Output Labeling Standards Committee, 1989-1992: Chair, Thermal Index Task Group, 1989-1992; Co-chair, Ultrasound Education Program, 1992-1994; Output Standards Committee, 1999-present
- AIUM Bioeffects Committee: Member, 1974-1977, 1994-1997, 1998-2001; 2005-2008 Vice Chair, 1977-1979; Chair, 1979-1981; Ultrasonic Bioeffects Conference: Organizing Committee, 1984-1988; Thermal Ultrasonic Bioeffects Conference: Organizing Committee, 1989-1992; Non-Thermal Ultrasonic Bioeffects Conference: Organizing Committee, 1995-1999; Chair, 1995-1997
- American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM): Bioeffects Committee (see below); Ultrasound safety standards' activities (see below); Finance Committee (see below); Board of Governors, 1979-1993; Treasurer, 1982-1985; Advisor to Executive Committee, 1985-1986; President-Elect, 1986-1988; Chair, Council on Sections, 1986-1988; Chair, Nominating Committee, 1988-1990; President, 1988-1991; Past President, 1991-1993; Convention Program Committee, 1992-1995; Co-chair, Ultrasound Education Program, 1992-1994; Awards Committee, 1995-1998; Presidents' Council, 1999-present
- IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control (formerly the IEEE Transactions on Sonics and Ultrasonics): Associate Editor, 1980-2002; Editor-in-Chief, 1985-2001
- IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium: Technical Program Committee, 1973-present; Chair, 1981 Ultrasonics Symposium, Chicago; Chair, 1988 Ultrasonics Symposium, Chicago; Short Course Chair, 1999 Ultrasonics Symposium, Lake Tahoe; Chair, 2001 Ultrasonics Symposium, Atlanta; Chair, 2003 Ultrasonics Symposium, Honolulu
- IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society: Secretary-Treasurer, 1972-1980; Associate Editor, 1980-2002; Vice President, 1981; President, 1982-1983; Editor-in-Chief, 1985-2001; Ultrasonics Committee, 1996-present
- Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE):
TAB Finance Committee, 1976-1977
Technical Activities Board Member, 1982-1983; TAB Publication Committee, 1986-1988; IEEE Publications Board, 1989-1990; Region 4 Student Activities Committee Chair, 1992-1994