Founder · Molecular Imaging Executive · Scientist · Strategist
20+ years building and scaling imaging platforms across academia, CRO, and biopharma markets
Professional Summary
Mohammed Farhoud is a founder and molecular imaging executive with over 20 years of experience spanning preclinical imaging, translational research, and the commercialization of advanced medical imaging technologies. He has built and scaled imaging platforms, led cross-functional teams, and driven adoption of cutting-edge technologies across academic institutions, contract research organizations, and the global biopharma industry.
Mohammed operates at the intersection of science and business — combining deep technical expertise in PET/CT and multimodal imaging with executive-level strategic thinking shaped by an MBA from ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business. His career spans the full arc from bench-level research to company co-founding, product commercialization, and market positioning.
Core Strengths
- Company founding & scaling
- Preclinical imaging strategy
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Biopharma commercialization
- Translational research partnerships
- Product & market development
Professional Experience
From bench scientist to company founder, Mohammed's career reflects a deliberate progression through the medical imaging landscape — accumulating expertise at every level of the industry.
2022 – Present
Co-Founder & Executive — Xodus Imaging | Los Angeles, CA
Co-founded a U.S.-based medical imaging company delivering highly reliable preclinical PET/CT systems. Leads strategy, product development, manufacturing operations, supply chain, and commercialization.
2021 – Present
Founder — Molecular Design | Los Angeles, CA
Founded a company focused on molecular imaging and healthcare innovation, leading strategic direction, product vision, and cross-sector partnerships.
2017 – 2021
Vice President — Emit Imaging | Boston, MA
Led strategic growth and commercialization of preclinical imaging technologies, directing cross-functional teams and executing go-to-market initiatives.
2013 – 2022
Director, Applications — Sofie Biosciences | Culver City, CA
Led evaluation and deployment of PET and PET/CT platforms, global demos, customer training, and contributed to next-generation technology commercialization.
2011 – 2013
Imaging Core Manager — UW Cancer Center
Managed the preclinical imaging core at the University of Wisconsin Cancer Center, developed GLP-aligned SOPs, and supported oncology research imaging workflows across PET, CT, and optical systems.
2009 – 2011
Research Scientist — MPI Research
Designed pharma imaging studies and managed preclinical imaging across PET, CT, and optical systems in a contract research organization setting.
2007 – 2009
Preclinical Application Specialist — Siemens Medical Solutions USA | Knoxville, TN
Trained global customers on PET, SPECT, and CT platforms; provided international technical support across micro-imaging systems.
Building Xodus Imaging
Company Vision
Co-founded with a mission to deliver highly reliable, U.S.-manufactured preclinical PET/CT systems — centered on reproducibility and research-grade performance.
Operations & Scale
Built manufacturing, service, and customer support infrastructure from the ground up. Manages procurement, supply chain, vendor selection, and component sourcing.
Market Positioning
Defined positioning centered on U.S.-based production and system reliability — differentiating from established international competitors in the preclinical imaging market.
Partnership & Growth
Established partnerships with academic institutions, CROs, and biopharma organizations. Drives growth through direct sales, strategic alliances, and industry conference presence.
Academic Foundation
Executive MBA (EMBA) — May 2026
Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business
Focused on strategy, leadership, and technology-driven business innovation. Bridges deep scientific expertise with executive management principles.
Master of Science, Biotechnology — May 2013
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Thesis: PET Imaging of Cancer Targeting Antibodies: The Future of Diagnostic Imaging? — bridging molecular biology with translational imaging applications.
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry — 2007
University of Wisconsin-Madison — Focus: Medical Physics
Undergraduate thesis on surface-modified lipoprotein analogs as potential MRA contrast agents, laying the foundation for a career in molecular imaging.
Technical Expertise
A comprehensive command of preclinical imaging instrumentation, analysis software, and research workflows — built over 20+ years of hands-on system deployment, study design, and applications leadership.
Imaging Systems
- Xodus / Sofie G4, G8, GNEXT PET/CT
- Emit Xerra
- Siemens Inveon PET/SPECT/CT
- MicroPET, MicroCAT, NanoSPECT
- IVIS Spectrum (optical imaging)
- Varian MRI, CereTom CT
Analysis Software
- InvivoAX
- Imalytics
- AMIRA, Inveon Research Workplace
- VivoQuant, AMIDE, OsiriX
- Living Image, Imalytics
- 3D segmentation & volumetric rendering
Core Capabilities
- Preclinical imaging study design
- GLP-compliant data management
- Imaging protocol development
- Customer applications leadership
- Grant support & technical proposals
Training & Compliance
- NRC radioisotope handling
- cGMP manufacturing of Radiopharmaceuticals
- GLP laboratory standards
- Multiple animal model species
- Rodents, rabbits, canines, NHPs
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
Mohammed has authored and co-authored publications in high-impact journals spanning oncology imaging, PET tracer development, neuroscience, and cardiovascular imaging — reflecting both the breadth and depth of his scientific contributions.
Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging
Phoon CKL, Aristizabal O, Farhoud M, et al. Current Protocols. 2024;4(9):e1116.
Multi-Platform Cancer Imaging
Serkova NJ, Glunde K, Haney CR, Farhoud M, et al. Cancer Research. 2021;81(5):1189–1200.
Alkylphosphocholine Cancer Imaging
Weichert J, Clark P, Kandela I, Farhoud M, et al. Science Translational Medicine. 2014;6(240):240ra75.
Automated ¹⁸F-Labeled PET Tracers
Lazari M, Collins J, Chen B, Farhoud M, et al. Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology. 2014;42(3):203–210.
mTOR Inhibition in PI3K Colon Cancers
Deming D, Leystra A, Farhoud M, et al. PLOS ONE. 2013;8(4):e60709.
Nicotinic Receptor Binding & PET
Hillmer AT, Wooten DW, Farhoud M, et al. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 2013;214(2):163–169.
Patent & Research Contributions
U.S. Patent No. 9,625,584 B1
Systems and Methods for a Linearly Filled PET Phantom
Issued 2017 — Co-inventor of a novel PET phantom design that enables linearly filled Derenzo phantoms for improved scanner performance characterization and quality assurance. Presented at the Medical Physics and American Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging conferences in 2016.
Thesis Research Highlights
MSc Biotechnology (2013): Investigated PET imaging of cancer-targeting antibodies as next-generation diagnostic tools — bridging immunology with molecular imaging.
Undergraduate Honors Thesis (2006): A diagnostic study of surface-modified lipoprotein analogs as potential MRA contrast agents — early-career research in MRI contrast agent development at UW-Madison Department of Radiology.
Presentations & Conference Activity
Mohammed has presented original research at leading international scientific conferences including AACR, WMIS, Society of Nuclear Medicine, ISMRM, and ARVO — spanning oncology, molecular imaging, PET physics, and translational neuroscience.
AACR Annual Meeting — Chicago, IL (2018)
Two abstracts presented: tumor heterogeneity characterization in colorectal cancer mouse models, and cryo-fluorescence tomography as a 3D visualization tool for tumor biology.
Medical Physics & AJNMMI (2016)
Presented the novel linearly-filled Derenzo microPET phantom design — foundational work supporting the eventual U.S. patent issued in 2017.
World Molecular Imaging Congress (2008, 2011)
Presented on simultaneous dual animal imaging efficiency and M-value characterization studies, contributing to advances in small animal PET methodology.
ISMRM — Berlin, Germany (2006)
Presented physical models of cerebrospinal fluid flow in Chiari I Malformation patients and rapid prototyping workflows for micro imaging data visualization.
Giving Back to the Scientific Community
World Molecular Imaging Society (WMIS)
Mohammed serves as Chair of the Advanced Drug Discovery in Molecular Imaging (ADDMI) Interest Group, organizing educational sessions, panel discussions, and networking events that bridge trainees with leaders across academia, biotech, pharma, and medical imaging.
He mentors students and postdoctoral researchers on career planning, leadership development, and the industry transition — and collaborates with industry partners to secure travel grant funding for early-career scientists to present at international conferences.
Educator Experience
High School Chemistry Workshop Instructor — designed laboratory experiments for pre-college students
Teaching Assistant, UW PEOPLE Program — chemistry, math, and English instruction
Alpha Chi Sigma Chemistry Tutor — review sessions and walk-in support
SMART Team Leader — taught high school students molecular modeling software and 3D modeling projects
By the Numbers
A career measured in years of experience, publications, patents, and scientific presentations — each representing a commitment to advancing molecular imaging research and technology.
Years of Experience
Spanning preclinical imaging, commercialization, and company founding
Peer-Reviewed Publications
In journals including Science Translational Medicine, Cancer Research, and PLOS ONE
U.S. Patent
Co-inventor of systems for linearly-filled PET phantom design (2017)
Conference Presentations
At AACR, WMIS, ISMRM, SNM, and other leading international meetings
Let's Connect
Whether you are exploring a strategic partnership, evaluating executive talent, or seeking expertise in preclinical molecular imaging — Mohammed welcomes the conversation.
📍 Location
Los Angeles, CA
🎓 Education
MSc Biotechnology · MBA · Doctorate in Business (in progress)
References available upon request.
Mohammed Farhoud, MSc, MBA