In 1984 Dr. Basilion completed his BA in biochemistry at the University of Pennsylvania and entered the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.  Following a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NICHD) and a short career in a Biotech startup, Dr. Basilion joined the Faculty of Harvard Medical School and MGH-Center for Molecular Imaging Research. In September 2005 Dr. Basilion joined the faculties of Medicine and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. James P. Basilion is a highly esteemed academic and innovator in the fields of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering. He currently serves as Co-director of the Cancer Imaging Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he oversees research and development initiatives dedicated to advancing cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Previously, Dr. Basilion held the significant roles of Vice-Chair for Basic Research at the Department of Radiology and Director of the Case Center for Imaging Research.

His research is fundamentally translational, aimed at bridging the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application. Dr. Basilion is the founder of four companies devoted to the development of fluorescence image-guided surgery for cancer treatment, has authored over 110 peer-reviewed publications and is the inventor on more than 50 issued and pending patents, reflecting his considerable impact on the scientific community.

In addition to his primary appointments, Dr. Basilion is actively engaged in several professional organizations, including the World Molecular Imaging Society and the Radiological Society of North America. Through these affiliations, he contributes to shaping the future of molecular imaging and radiological sciences. His leadership and vision continue to inspire colleagues and emerging scientists in the field, solidifying his reputation as a thought leader and pioneer in cancer imaging. He is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, Fellow of the World Molecular Imaging Society, and a Fellow of the National Foundation for Cancer Research and has mentored dozens of students in his laboratory.