Michelle L. Robbin, M.D., M.S., FSRU, FAIUM, professor emerita in the UAB Department of Radiology, has been honored with the 2025 Lawrence A. Mack Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU). This prestigious award recognizes Robbin’s outstanding contributions to ultrasound research throughout her career.
"Michelle Robbin is a cornerstone of the UAB Department of Radiology, serving with distinction as a clinician, researcher, mentor, and educator,” said Mahmud Mossa-Basha, M.D., chair of the UAB Department of Radiology. “A visionary leader in the field of ultrasound, she has propelled UAB to the national forefront through the implementation of innovative workflows and expanded clinical services. Her influence extends far beyond our institution; her international contributions have fundamentally elevated global clinical practice through education and innovation. We are honored to have Dr. Robbin on our faculty and celebrate this well-deserved recognition of her exceptional career."
Robbin joined UAB in 1993 as chief of the ultrasound imaging section after a residency and a one-year ultrasound fellowship at the University of San Francisco. She began investigating the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) beginning in 1994, participating in 14 FDA phase 2 and 3 CEUS trials. Also that year, she began what was to be a career focus on hemodialysis and vascular imaging. In 1999, she was awarded an R01 from the NIH titled “Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Dialysis Graft Stenosis,” followed by serving as the ultrasound core director on an NIH U01, “The Hemodialysis Fistula Maturation Trial,” in 2009, among numerous other NIH and industry grants. Her service on UAB committees includes the School of Medicine Protective Life Clinical Initiative Awards Executive Committee from 2001-2012, serving as chair from 2004-2012, and the Faculty Council to the Dean: Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee for the School of Medicine.
Robbin has over 120 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has delivered presentations across the United States and internationally. Her expertise in ultrasound, particularly hemodialysis and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, as well as the development of the role of advanced practice sonographer, is widely recognized. She serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journals Radiology and Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine and served on the American Association of Ultrasound in Medicine Board of Governors 2006-2009.
"Ultrasound has been my focus since residency, and the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound has been my intellectual home," Robbin said in her acceptance remarks, presented by Mark Lockhart, M.D., at the SRU Annual Meeting in Nashville on Oct. 9, 2025. The award, given in honor of the late SRU member Lawrence A. Mack, is given annually to an SRU Fellow who has demonstrated a career of significant achievement in ultrasound research. “Larry Mack was a shining star in ultrasound, and I am deeply honored by this recognition.”
Robbin’s numerous contributions to ultrasound have previously earned her fellowship in the American Institute of Ultrasound and Medicine, the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound, and the American College of Radiology. She received an American College of Radiology Distinguished Community Service Award in 2003, the American Institute of Ultrasound and Medicine Presidential Recognition Award in 2007, and the American Board of Radiology Volunteer Service Award in 2014.