David Rudko

David Rudko is an Associate Professor and Director of the 7T Pre-Clinical MRI Unit at the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro), a bilingual academic healthcare institution and McGill University research and teaching institute. He is part of the Brain Imaging Centre (BIC) Core Faculty and serves as a Killam Scholar. His work bridges advanced MRI technology development with neurological disease research, particularly focusing on multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmunological conditions.

Dr. Rudko's research centers on the application of novel MRI methodology in conjunction with biophysical modeling to enhance understanding of brain anatomy and physiology. His laboratory develops cutting-edge MRI physics acquisition and post-processing techniques for mapping myelin density, axonal packing, and axonal geometry. A key focus is on ultra-high field (UHF, >3T) MRI, where his team addresses critical challenges including RF field homogenization and static magnetic field inhomogeneities. The lab utilizes both small animal (7T) and human MRI/MRS (3T, 7T) systems in conjunction with optical microscopy and advanced image processing methods.

Analysis of Dr. Rudko's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on multiple sclerosis research using advanced MRI techniques. His work spans from fundamental MRI physics development to clinical applications, with particular attention to cortical pathology, white matter lesions, and iron metabolism in neurological disorders. His research group has made significant contributions to understanding the microstructural basis of neurological diseases through innovative imaging approaches that bridge cellular-level observations with macroscopic imaging metrics.

• Killam Scholar

Dr. Rudko leads the Rudko Lab, which is affiliated with both the Neuroimaging and Neuroinformatics Research Group and the Neuroimmunological Diseases Research Group at The Neuro. His laboratory focuses on developing and applying advanced MRI techniques to understand the cellular and microstructural basis of neurological diseases, with particular emphasis on multiple sclerosis. The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach combining physics, engineering, neuroscience, and clinical medicine to advance both the technical capabilities of MRI and its applications to neurological disorders.