Katrin Herweg

Katrin Herweg is a Research Scientist at the Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision (Chair of Imaging and Image Processing), RWTH Aachen University, Germany. She has been actively contributing to the advancement of high-resolution, time-of-flight positron emission tomography (PET) detector technologies since 2019. Her work is deeply rooted in the Department of Physics of Molecular Imaging Systems at the Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging, and she continues her research in detector development with a strong focus on scintillator physics and photodetection systems.

• Master of Science in Physics, RWTH Aachen University (2017–2020), Focus: Experimental Particle Physics
• Bachelor of Science in Physics, RWTH Aachen University (2014–2017)

Katrin's research centers on the development of PET detectors with ultra-high timing resolution. She investigates fast and ultra-fast light emission mechanisms in scintillator materials such as CsZnCl₃, LYSO:Ce,Ca, and BaF₂ through experimental measurements and simulations. Her work aims to push the boundaries of time-of-flight PET and CT by enabling sub-100 ps timing precision, which enhances image quality and quantification in nuclear medicine. She also explores novel photodetector technologies like μSiPMs and digital-analog SiPMs (DIGILOG) to overcome limitations of traditional materials like BGO.

The recent publications highlight a consistent trend in advancing PET detector performance through innovations in scintillator characterization, ASIC-based readouts (e.g., TOFPET2c), high-frequency SiPM electronics, and modular, scalable detector designs with depth-of-interaction capability. Her work bridges fundamental physics with practical medical imaging applications, particularly in scatter rejection, organ-dedicated imaging, and axial field-of-view expansion.

Scientific Awards:

• 3rd Place, IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Student Paper Award (November 2023)

Katrin has supervised multiple bachelor's theses on topics including deep learning-based position estimation in PET detectors, optical coupling materials, and scintillator coatings. She has served as an exercise and laboratory course instructor in nuclear medicine physics for both M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering and B.Sc. Electrical Engineering students. While no direct grant information is listed, her extensive publication record in high-impact journals and conferences suggests active participation in funded research projects. She collaborates closely with Prof. Volkmar Schulz and Dr. Stefan Gundacker, key figures in molecular imaging at RWTH Aachen.

Katrin is a member of the research team at the Chair of Imaging and Image Processing (LFB), which focuses on advanced imaging systems, detector development, and image reconstruction algorithms. The team is part of a larger ecosystem at RWTH Aachen dedicated to experimental molecular imaging and biomedical engineering, contributing to platforms like Hyperion III for PET/MRI research.