James C. Gee is a Professor of Radiologic Science in Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Penn Image Computing and Science Laboratory and Co-Director of the Translational Biomedical Imaging Center , with affiliations in Bioengineering and Applied Mathematics graduate groups. His research focuses on biomedical image analysis, specialization in segmentation, registration, and morphometry applied to neurodegenerative diseases and multi-organ systems. Education : B.S. in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering (University of Washington, 1987), Ph.D. in Computer and Information Science (University of Pennsylvania, 1996) Research : Quantitative medical imaging methods, brain connectomics, neurodegeneration mapping, and translational imaging technologies Publications : 15+ recent works on AI-driven image analysis for Alzheimer's disease, cardiac amyloidosis, and radiomics applications Leadership : Directs MSE-DS Online Degree Program, co-chairs Radiology DCOAP Committee, and founded RISE (Radiology Initiative to Support Inclusive Excellence) His laboratory develops advanced computational tools like ITK-SNAP for biomedical imaging, with applications in both in vivo clinical imaging and ex vivo histology . The work spans cross-disciplinary collaborations in computer science, neuroscience, and clinical medicine.
University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolUnited States
Christine Eckhardt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology at the T.H. Chan School of Medicine (UMass Chan Medical School), specializing in Neurocritical Care. She earned her MD from Harvard Medical School and holds an MS degree. Education: MD, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA MS (unspecified field) Dr. Eckhardt's research focuses on neurocritical care, neurotoxicity syndromes, and EEG-based diagnostics. She develops quantitative EEG methods for assessing immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity (ICANS) and delirium severity, with applications in CAR T-cell therapy and critical care neurology. Her recent publications (2022–2023) emphasize automated neurotoxicity detection , EEG signal processing , and health equity disparities in heart failure care. Key subfields include neurocritical care, computational neuroscience, and clinical outcome modeling.
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUnited States
Jozien Goense is an Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), holding joint appointments in the Department of Psychology and Department of Bioengineering. She is also affiliated with the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the Neuroscience Program. Her primary research focuses on biomedical imaging, particularly functional MRI (fMRI) and its applications in understanding neurovascular coupling and cortical layer-specific activity. She is recognized for contributions to high-resolution fMRI methodology and laminar imaging techniques. Her work integrates advanced MRI techniques with neurophysiological studies, often using non-human primate models to validate findings in human studies. She has pioneered layer-specific fMRI approaches to map activity across cortical layers, particularly in the motor and visual cortices. Her expertise includes ultra-high field MRI (7T+), BOLD signal modeling, and software development for neuroimaging analysis (e.g., LayNII). Key research themes include the physiological basis of BOLD responses, neurovascular coupling mechanisms, and the application of laminar fMRI to study brain function in health and disease. She has collaborated extensively with neuroscientists, engineers, and clinicians to advance imaging technologies and their translational potential. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding dopamine and acetylcholine effects on neurovascular responses, resting-state gamma-band abnormalities in schizophrenia, and the development of high-resolution imaging protocols. Her work bridges basic science and clinical applications, including studies on vascular contributions to dementia and neuropharmacology. She has received the Beckman Seed Grant as part of a Bioengineering Faculty team, supporting innovative research initiatives. Her lab employs cutting-edge imaging tools and multidisciplinary approaches to unravel brain function at cellular and systems levels.
George E. Vates, MD, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and the Department of Medicine (Endocrine/Metabolism) at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He serves as neurosurgeon co-director of the University of Rochester Multidisciplinary Neuroendocrinology Clinic and is a key member of the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG), which comprises over 900 providers across 19 departments. Dr. Vates specializes in pituitary tumor surgery, cerebrovascular disorders, and skull base procedures, having performed over 120 transsphenoidal pituitary surgeries. Dr. Vates completed his academic training with exceptional distinction: Duke University: Bachelor's degree, summa cum laude (1988, Phi Beta Kappa) Rockefeller University: PhD in Neuroscience Weill Medical College of Cornell University: MD (1997, Alpha Omega Alpha) University of California, San Francisco: Neurosurgery Residency (1998-2003) Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School: Cerebrovascular/Skull Base Fellowship (2003-2004) His research focuses on pituitary tumor biology, neuroendocrinology, and surgical innovation. He established the Multidisciplinary Neuroendocrinology Clinic as a regional referral center for complex pituitary cases, integrating neurosurgical and endocrinological expertise. Current work emphasizes neuroprotective mechanisms in pituitary adenomas, surgical simulation technology, and optimizing outcomes for elderly glioma patients. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals evolving research trajectories: contemporary studies (2019-2022) concentrate on pituitary tumor management, surgical simulation, and neurosurgical education, while earlier work (2002-2009) explored cerebrovascular anomalies, neural pathway mapping, and vascular malformations. Persistent themes include surgical technique refinement, tumor biology, and clinician training. Dr. Vates' scientific contributions have been recognized through: Phi Beta Kappa (1988) and Alpha Omega Alpha (1991) academic honors Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation Fellowship (2006) Anspach Award for Cerebral Ischemia Research (2007) AANS Leadership Scholarship and Cone Pevehouse Award (2009) Ongoing service as St. Michael's Hospital Animal Care Committee reviewer As an educator, he mentors neurosurgery residents through clinical supervision and curriculum development, notably publishing on palliative care communication training. His research initiatives, including the 3D-printed cervical laminectomy simulator, demonstrate commitment to advancing surgical education. Current grants focus on neuroprotective strategies in pituitary tumors and resident training methodologies. Dr. Vates co-directs the Multidisciplinary Neuroendocrinology Clinic with endocrinologist Dr. Calvi, fostering collaboration between neurosurgery, endocrinology, and oncology. His clinical team manages complex pituitary cases across Rochester and Hornell campuses, while his research group develops surgical innovations and investigates tumor microenvironment interactions to improve patient outcomes.
Chet C. Sherwood is a Professor of Anthropology at George Washington University (GW) and a core faculty member of the Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology (CASHP). He also directs the National Chimpanzee Brain Resource and is affiliated with the GW Mind-Brain Institute. His research focuses on evolutionary neuroscience, particularly brain evolution in primates and other mammals, emphasizing how brain structure relates to behavior, development, and genetics. Education: Ph.D. (2003), M.A. (1998, 1996), and B.A. (1995) from Columbia University, with an additional M.A. from New York University (1996). Teaches courses such as ANTH 1001: Biological Anthropology and ANTH 3413: Evolution of the Human Brain. Research interests include comparative neuroanatomy of the cerebral cortex, human brain evolution relative to other primates, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cognitive evolution. He explores how brain differences across species correlate with ecological and behavioral traits, leveraging neuroimaging, transcriptomics, and fossil reconstruction techniques. Recent work investigates aging-related brain changes in primates and elephants. Notable achievements include membership in the National Academy of Sciences (2021) and the AAAS Fellowship (2022). His lab’s studies on chimpanzee brain plasticity and the genetic basis of primate cognition have advanced understanding of human uniqueness and shared evolutionary traits. Chet’s interdisciplinary collaborations span paleontology, genomics, and neuroscience, with a focus on bridging evolutionary and medical insights. His leadership in the National Chimpanzee Brain Resource underscores his commitment to advancing comparative neurobiology through resource development and ethical research practices.
Paul A. Yushkevich is a Professor of Radiology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania , with affiliations in the Bioengineering Graduate Group . He leads the Penn Image Computing and Science Laboratory (PICSL) , focusing on advanced biomedical image analysis techniques. Developed first-of-its-kind computational atlas of the hippocampal formation Led NIH R01-funded research on MRI-derived biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease Created open-source software tools: ITK-SNAP and Convert3D Expert in statistical shape modeling and histology-MRI co-registration Research Focus: Specializes in hippocampal segmentation using high-resolution MRI, with applications in Alzheimer's disease research and cardiac imaging . His work combines differential equations and machine learning for accurate image analysis. Scientific Achievements: First-place MICCAI segmentation challenges (2012, 2013) Over 169 PubMed publications in neuroimaging and computational anatomy Developed DTI-TK toolkit for diffusion MRI analysis Collaborations: Works with Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and multiple international institutions. Supervises graduate students in biomedical image analysis.
George Henderson is a Professor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the Department of Pharmacology & Neuroscience . His research focuses on the neurotoxic effects of ethanol and environmental toxins during development, particularly mechanisms of apoptosis and oxidative stress in the brain and placenta. Primary Affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Research Areas: Developmental neuroscience, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, nanoparticle drug delivery Research Trends: His publications from 1972–2023 show sustained expertise in ethanol-induced developmental damage, placental drug transport mechanisms, and antioxidant therapeutic strategies. Recent work (2023) explores chlorogenic acid as a neuroprotective agent via NFATc4/CSE pathways. Key Collaborations: Institute for One Health Innovation and translational neuroscience teams at TTUHSC.
Maeva Dhaynaut is an Instructor in the Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging at Yale School of Medicine. Her academic appointment is within the Division of Bioimaging Sciences, focusing on positron emission tomography (PET) research and applications. Dr. Dhaynaut's research spans multiple areas of molecular and neuroimaging, with particular emphasis on: Development and application of PET radiotracers for neurological disorders Tau imaging in Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative conditions Opioid receptor imaging and neuropsychiatric applications Quantitative imaging methods and kinetic modeling Novel radiopharmaceutical development for CNS targets Her recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in tau PET imaging with tracers like [18F]MK6240, with applications ranging from Alzheimer's disease to sports-related neurodegeneration in former football players. She has also made significant contributions to opioid receptor imaging and potassium channel imaging. Dr. Dhaynaut frequently employs advanced computational methods including diffusion models and Bayesian approaches for kinetic parameter estimation in dynamic PET imaging. Dr. Dhaynaut's collaborative research network includes prominent scientists such as Georges El Fakhri, Marc David Normandin, and Nicolas Guehl. Her work spans from basic radiopharmaceutical chemistry through preclinical validation to clinical applications, demonstrating a comprehensive translational research approach.
Philbert Tsai is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He has held roles as QBio Lab Coordinator/Project Scientist (2015–Present) and Associate Project Scientist (2011–2015), overseeing advanced laboratory setups and bio-imaging research projects. His work focuses on neurovascular systems, microscopy techniques, and cortical blood flow dynamics. Education: Ph.D., Physics, UC San Diego, 2004 Research Interests: Quantitative analysis of cortical microvascular networks Development of ultra-high-resolution imaging systems (e.g., STED, two-photon microscopy) Neurovascular coupling mechanisms and their impact on brain oxygen supply Biomedical engineering applications in neuroscience research Lab & Projects: QBio Lab: Advanced instrumentation including confocal microscopes, 3D printers, and wet-lab equipment Developed vectorized models of mouse brain vasculature and ultra-wide-field multiphoton imaging systems Grants & Awards: No specific awards listed in provided text Collaborations: Worked extensively with colleagues like Dr. David Kleinfeld and Dr. Berislav Zlokovic on neurovascular projects.
Overview Francesc Lopez-Giraldez is a Research Scientist in Genetics at the Yale School of Medicine, with affiliations in the Yale Center for Genome Analysis (YCGA) and the Center for Biomedical Data Science. His research focuses on integrating genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology to address complex biological and clinical questions in areas such as cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, and immune-related diseases. Education PhD in Evolutionary Genetics, Autonomous University of Barcelona (2006) MSc in Health and Life Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (2004) BS in Biology, University of Girona (2000) Research Interests Lopez-Giraldez’s work spans genetics, immunology, and computational biology. Key areas include: Genetic mechanisms underlying congenital heart diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders Bioinformatic analysis of cancer genomics and immune checkpoint resistance Role of mTOR signaling in vascular and neurological pathologies Spatial transcriptomics to study tumor microenvironments and autoimmune diseases Key Contributions Recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, such as: Identifying genetic contributions to congenital heart diseases Elucidating mTOR dysregulation in lissencephaly Exploring immune checkpoint inhibitors’ resistance mechanisms in lung cancer Awards & Recognition Recipient of the National Cancer Institute Research Specialist Award (R50) in 2023, recognizing his innovative contributions to biomedical data science and translational research. Collaborations Lopez-Giraldez collaborates with leading researchers, including Jeffrey Townsend (Yale), Murat Gunel (Neurology), and Kasia Politi (Oncology), to advance team science in precision medicine and genomics. Labs & Teams He contributes to the Yale Center for Genome Analysis (YCGA) and the Yale Cancer Center, focusing on genomic data integration and bioinformatics pipelines for clinical research.
Guanghan Meng is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley , with dual appointments in the Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) . He leads the Visionary Optical Imaging Lab (VOILA) , focusing on interdisciplinary research combining optical physics and computational science to develop advanced microscopy technologies for eye and brain imaging. Education : PhD (2021, UC Berkeley), BE (2015, Shanghai Jiao Tong University) PhD Programs Affiliated With : Vision Science, Applied Science & Technology (AS&T), EECS His research integrates optical physics , computational biology , and artificial intelligence to create cutting-edge imaging tools. Recent work includes differentiable wave-optics libraries (Chromatix), super-resolution microscopy techniques, and high-speed neural imaging systems. Publications highlight applications in neuroscience (cerebral circulation, synaptic activity) and biomedical imaging (OCT, two-photon microscopy). VOILA is a highly interdisciplinary team spanning physics , engineering , and biology . In 2025, the lab will welcome 2 PhD students and 1 postdoc, though funding is currently at capacity for new members. Meng is affiliated with the Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research Lab (BAIR) and Berkeley Center for Computational Imaging (BCCI) .
Linda J. Richards serves as the Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Edison Professor of Neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine. Her career spans decades of groundbreaking research in brain development, particularly focusing on interhemispheric connections of the mammalian brain. She leads the Brain Development and Disorders Laboratory, which investigates both normal brain wiring and conditions where this wiring is altered. Professor Richards earned her Bachelor of Science (Honours) from The University of Melbourne in 1990, followed by her PhD from the same institution between 1991-1994. Her educational background laid the foundation for her pioneering work in developmental neurobiology. Her research interests center on the development, plasticity, and function of long-range connections in the cerebral cortex, with particular focus on the corpus callosum - the largest fiber tract connecting the brain's hemispheres. She investigates how cellular and molecular mechanisms regulate brain wiring during development and how these processes are altered in congenital corpus callosum dysgenesis (CCD), which occurs in approximately 1 in 4,000 people. Her work explores the underlying causes of CCD, the mechanisms of long-range axonal plasticity, and how structural changes in brain wiring impact cognition and behavior. Analysis of Professor Richards' recent publications reveals a consistent focus on corpus callosum development and disorders across multiple model systems. Her work spans from basic molecular mechanisms involving transcription factors like the Nuclear Factor I (NFI) family to human clinical studies of corpus callosum disorders. She employs diverse methodologies including genetic analysis, neuroimaging, behavioral assessments, and comparative studies across mammalian species. A notable trend is her increasing focus on translating basic science findings into understanding human conditions, particularly through genetic studies of CCD patients and their families. 2020: Cajal Club, Krieg Cortical Kudos Discoverer Award, Pinckney J Harman Memorial Lecture 2019: Appointed Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medical research and education in developmental neurobiology 2016: Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences 2015: Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science 2017-2018: President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society 2010: Nina Kondelos Prize from the Australasian Neuroscience Society 2004: Charles Judson Herrick Award from the American Association of Anatomists Professor Richards is deeply committed to neuroscience advocacy and mentorship. She has contributed significantly to establishing major international neuroscience initiatives including the International Brain Initiative, the Australian Brain Alliance, and the Australian Brain Bee Challenge. As a board member of the International Brain Bee and member of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, she actively promotes neuroscience education and public engagement. Her lab provides training opportunities for numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff who contribute to her diverse research programs. Professor Richards leads the Brain Development and Disorders Laboratory, which focuses on three primary research areas: activity-dependent mechanisms of early brain wiring, cellular and molecular mechanisms of early brain wiring (particularly involving NFI transcription factors), and human corpus callosum disorders. Her lab employs innovative approaches including studies of the fat-tailed dunnart (a marsupial model with postnatal brain development), advanced imaging techniques, and partnerships with individuals who have corpus callosum disorders to understand how brain wiring impacts cognitive, social, and emotional function.
Dr. Xi Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Dallas (2019). His research focuses on cognitive aging, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers, and the interplay between brain structure/function and cognitive decline. Dr. Chen employs multi-modal neuroimaging techniques (e.g., MRI, PET) to investigate neural mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive changes and AD progression. His work emphasizes early detection of AD pathology and resilience factors in aging populations. Education: Ph.D., University of Texas at Dallas, 2019 Research Interests: Dr. Chen explores individual differences in cognitive aging, AD biomarkers, and successful aging through multi-modal approaches. Key topics include amyloid and tau pathology’s impact on memory and brain function, socioeconomic disparities in cognitive health, and the role of prior knowledge in memory retention. His lab uses advanced imaging techniques to identify early biomarkers for interventions targeting neurodegenerative diseases. Publications Trends: Recent studies highlight the lab’s focus on tau pathology’s role in cognitive decline, functional MRI correlates of memory in aging populations, and the predictive value of biomarkers like plasma p-tau217 for AD progression. These works underscore the lab’s commitment to bridging basic neuroscience and clinical applications for early AD detection. Lab & Collaborations: Dr. Chen leads the Cognitive Health and Neurodegeneration Lab, which integrates quantitative modeling, neuroimaging, and clinical data to advance understanding of aging and AD. Collaborative efforts include studies on metacognition, cortical thickness, and tauopathy’s effects on cognition.
Dr. Brian Schmit is a Professor and Hammes Family Chair in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). He serves as Associate Dean of Research for the department, Professor in the MCW Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Professor and Director of the MCW Clinical & Translational Science Institute. His work integrates engineering principles with clinical applications to advance neurorehabilitation. Dr. Schmit received his educational training at prestigious institutions: Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (1995) M.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (1992) B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University (1988) Dr. Schmit's research focuses on Spinal Cord Injury, Neurorehabilitation, Human Neurophysiology, and Biomechanics . His work explores neural control of movement, develops rehabilitation technologies, and examines biomechanical aspects of gait and balance in patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. He integrates advanced technologies such as virtual reality, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological techniques to develop innovative rehabilitation approaches. His laboratory environment fosters collaboration between engineers, clinicians, and scientists to translate research findings into clinical practice. Analysis of Dr. Schmit's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on neurorehabilitation technologies , particularly virtual reality applications for hand dexterity recovery after cervical myelopathy surgery. His work prominently features balance and gait analysis in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury populations, with studies examining whole body angular momentum and reactive balance adaptations. Significant research efforts focus on stroke rehabilitation , investigating cortical activity during finger movements and muscle oxygenation in chronic stroke survivors. His scholarly output demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward developing evidence-based, technology-enhanced rehabilitation protocols with strong clinical translation potential. Dr. Schmit has secured substantial research funding: National Institutes of Health grant as Principal Investigator for "High-Intensity, dynamic-stability gait training in people with multiple sclerosis" (September 2022–June 2027) Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment grant as Principal Investigator for "Virtual reality training paradigm to rehabilitate hand dexterity in degenerative cervical myelopathy" (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2024) National Institutes of Health grant as Co-PI for "High-density surface EMG based CMAP scan for motor unit number estimation" (July 1, 2021—September 30, 2022) National Institutes of Health grant as Co-Investigator for "Locomotion Recovery and Compensation Post-Stroke" (June 2021–May 2026) Dr. Schmit directs the Integrative Neural Engineering & Rehabilitation Laboratory (INERL) , which focuses on understanding neural control of movement and developing engineering solutions for neurorehabilitation. He also serves as Co-Director of the Falk Center for Neurorehabilitation Engineering Research , where interdisciplinary teams work to advance rehabilitation technologies and protocols. His leadership extends to teaching courses such as BIEN 3300 Signals & Systems for Biomedical Engineering, BIEN 6610 Rehabilitative Biosystems, and BIEN 6931 Topics in Biomedical Engineering.
Dr. Chris A. Flask is a Professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, with joint appointments in Radiology, Pediatrics, and Biomedical Engineering. He serves as Co-Director of the Imaging Research Core and Associate Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program, while also contributing to the Cancer Imaging Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Research Focus Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI Physics and Pulse Sequence Design Lung Imaging in Cystic Fibrosis Kidney Imaging in Polycystic Kidney Disease, Sickle Cell Disease, and Diabetic Nephropathy Liver Imaging for Inflammation and Fibrosis Scientific Recognition Distinguished Investigator Award 2023 from The Academy for Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research Reviewer with Distinction for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Semi-Finalist for ISMRM Young Investigator Award 2013 His recent publications focus on pH-responsive imaging agents, MR fingerprinting techniques, and applications in pediatric and adult diseases. Dr. Flask's work bridges technical MRI innovation with clinical translation across multiple organ systems.
