Dr. Ionela Iacobas Leads Patient Participation in Lymphatic Imaging Study Supported by the ARPA-H LIGHT Program

LIGHT icon courtesy of ARPA-H LIGHT program  

As part of a multidisciplinary collaboration, Ionela Iacobas, MD, is helping advance a pioneering initiative at Texas Children’s Hospital that aims to transform detection and diagnosis of lymphatic diseases.

More than 10 million Americans live with lymphatic disorders, yet current diagnostic tools often fall short. Many patients face delayed or uncertain diagnoses because traditional imaging cannot adequately visualize lymphatic structures or assess how well the system is functioning.

Supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA‑H) Lymphatic Imaging, Genomics, and pHenotyping Technologies (LIGHT) program, a new study aims to change that by advancing a dual‑modality lymphatic imaging platform that integrates real‑time photoacoustic imaging with high‑sensitivity proteomic biomarker detection. This next‑generation approach builds on the VISTA‑LYMPH program and targets long‑standing gaps in how lymphatic diseases are identified and monitored.

At Texas Children’s, Dr. Iacobas will lead patient enrollment and participation in the clinical evaluation of VISTA‑LYMPH, overseeing how the platform performs in real‑world care. She is collaborating closely with Rice University researchers Dr. Han Xiao and Dr. Lei Li, who are advancing the design, engineering, and translation of the technology; Dr. Robert Carson Sibley from UT Southwestern, who is also leading a clinical study at UT Southwestern; and with UT Dallas investigator Dr. Zhenpeng Qin, who is contributing to biomarker discovery and helping accelerate progress toward earlier diagnosis. Together, these groups are working to generate the evidence needed to move this next‑generation platform toward regulatory review and eventual clinical integration.

The promise of this work extends far beyond imaging. By combining structural visualization with molecular insight, VISTA‑LYMPH may help clinicians better assess disease activity, stratify patients, and guide therapy selection with greater precision. Ultimately, earlier and more accurate detection could help families receive answers sooner, reduce complications, and access more effective care.

Read more about the technology from Rice University: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/breaking-barriers-lymphatic-imaging-rices-synthx-center-leads-18m-effort-unprecedented

For more information about ARPA‑H’s recent LIGHT program awards, visit: https://arpa-h.gov/news-and-events/arpa-h-awards-1357m-illuminate-bodys-hidden-highway