Faculty member

Research Interests

Our vision is to develop and apply functional microstructure imaging and in-vivo histology using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as novel non-invasive MRI methods to reliably characterize the detailed functional and anatomical microstructure of the human brain.

Available PhD positions

To address the extraordinary methodological challenges of in-vivo histology and high resolution functional MRI, we will pursue a highly interdisciplinary approach with a team of scientists with diverse training. We will develop novel anatomical MRI and functional MRI (fMRI) acquisition methods, image processing methods and integrated biophysical models. The development of acquisition methods will include pulse sequence programming on the latest 7T and 3T Connectom (one of three world wide) platforms and advancing image reconstruction (e.g., using Gadgetron). The understanding and modelling of MRI contrast in tissue and building unified models of MRI contrasts and tissue structure plays a central role. Developments in image processing will focus on combining multiple contrasts for multi-contrast biophysical modeling of tissue microstructure. In order to validate and explore the novel in-vivo histology and microstructure imaging methods, we will conduct proof-of-concept in-vivo MRI/fMRI studies and comparisons to ex-vivo histology, which also includes cutting-edge physical methods of tissue characterization (e.g., tissue clearing/CLARITY, PIXE).