SPMIC Research Staff

I am a post-doctoral researcher specialising in high-resolution, high-field functional MRI. I completed my PhD in 2019, during which I used population receptive field models to map the somatosensory cortex, following a scan involving multiple finger stimulation. 

My research develops new methods for magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), allowing us to non-invasively probe the chemical composition of the human brain. I develop techniques for robust, accelerated and standardised data acquisition, which include the use of new signal encoding approaches.

My research interest is Motion Correction techniques for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). My PhD project focused on the development a new contact-less Motion Tracking technique for brain imaging in a 7 Tesla MRI scanner. It allowed me to apply both my programming and laboratory skills and to work in a research team. I used various Data Analysis and Machine Learning techniques to solve the problem. My current research aims to develop a Motion Correction technique at 0.5 Tesla upright MRI scanner.

My research involves the use of multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in healthy individuals and people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to understand how the kidneys function and change with disease. I have a particular interest in developing MRI protocols across sites for large cohort studies and harmonising these protocols across the three MR vendors.

My research involves using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand how the kidneys and liver function in health and in disease by assessing blood flow, perfusion and structure.

My research focuses on increasing the availability of renal transplant donations. A large number of potentially viable kidney donations are discarded due to a lack of confidence that the organ is sufficiently healthy to be transplanted into a recipient. By assessing the viability of potentially usable organs using ex-vivo renal MRI we aim to increase the use of these marginal organs. Additionally I work on the development of software tools for the analysis renal MRI including artificial intelligence and standardisation of processing pipelines.

I use MRI and other imaging modalities such as electrophysiological measures to improve our understanding of hearing and deafness. MRI can help us see damage to the hearing system and nerves that result from aging and noise exposure. New technological advancements can help us improve how people with hearing difficulties receive treatment.

I am working at the Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre on a number of projects including digestive health (in people with cystic fibrosis; in constipation; in the rare chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction; assessment of pancreatic health) and investigating placental physiology in healthy and compromised pregnancies. 

My research involves the development and application of brain imaging techniques, focusing on understanding food-related brain perception and interactions between the brain and gut (brain-gut axis) in healthy and clinical cohorts. This includes investigating the brain's perception to taste, aroma, flavour and oral fat emulsions; the physiological mechanism involved in satiation through brain-gut interactions; and the effect of taste phenotype and genotype on food perception, preference and choice.

My main research focus is on the clinical application of magnetoencephalography, investigating abnormal brain function in a variety of patient populations. I also use novel optically-pumped magnetometer technology to investigate muscle and foetal signals. Currently, I am also involved in a number of gastro-intestinal MRI projects focusing on Crohn's disease and the relationship between the gut and brain.

I have worked at the SPMIC for 21 years with my research focus on MRI sequence development and image analysis techniques for abdominal imaging. In particular I have an interest in using MRI to assess motility throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. I also work on quantitative imaging of the abdomen including relaxometry with applications in functional GI diseases, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cystic Fibrosis.

My research involves development and application of quantitative MR imaging, focusing particularly on physical properties such as Chemical Exchange Sarutation Transfer (CEST) and longitudinal relaxation time (T1) at ultra high field (e.g. 7T) in the brain, but also in the body (both 3T and 7T). I am also interested in motion mitigation processes for MRI at all fields, using retrospective algorithms as well as prospective correction methods. I am also working on realising the potential of Open MRI focusing on the reconstruction pipeline to improve the speed and quality of imaging using the ASG Paramed 0.5T upright system.