Rolf Pohmann

Dr. Rolf Pohmann is a Group Leader in the Department of High-field Magnetic Resonance at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany. His work focuses on advancing ultra-high field MRI (9.4 T–16.4 T) to address technical challenges and explore clinical/biological applications. Key areas include B1-homogeneity optimization, safety protocols, and integrating MRI with optical imaging for neuroscientific studies.

Education:

• Physics studies at the Universities of Würzburg (Germany) and Buffalo (USA)
• Diploma thesis: Theoretical Analysis of the quality of spectroscopic NMR imaging techniques (1995)
• PhD thesis: Techniques for spatially resolved NMR-spectroscopy (1999, University of Würzburg)

Research Interests:

• Development of high-resolution imaging techniques at ultra-high fields
• MRI parameter quantification (T₁, T₂*, MTR) for contrast enhancement
• Multinuclear MR spectroscopy (³¹P, ²H) for metabolic studies
• Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) for non-invasive perfusion imaging
• Combining MRI with optical imaging to dissect BOLD effects

Awards:

• Wilhelm-Conrad-Röntgen Wissenschaftspreis (2001)
• Scientific Award from unterfränkischen Gedenkjahrstiftung für Wissenschaft (2003)

Collaborations & Applications:

• Develops techniques for external groups (e.g., Roche Pharmaceuticals)
• Advances MRI coil design and post-processing for ultra-high resolution
• Explores tumor diagnosis via deuterium-labeled glucose metabolism

Labs/Teams: Leads a research group at the Max Planck Institute specialized in ultra-high field MRI innovations.