Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands
I am currently working as a Scientific Researcher at Radboud University Medical Center. I also have two honorary roles as Lecturer (Assistant Professor) at both the University of East Anglia and the University of Aberdeen. My primary interests and expertise are in magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. I have a broad knowledge of magnetic resonance in general, with particular experience as follows: • Magnetic resonance pulse sequence programming. • Use of Philips, GE, Siemens, and Bruker magnetic resonance scanner systems. • Numerical simulation of magnetic resonance pulse sequences and diffusion/perfusion models. • Diffusion-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging in skeletal muscle. • Quantification of cardiac and skeletal muscle energetics and lipid content with both proton and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods. • Tissue characterisation in the heart after myocardial infarction using relaxation mapping magnetic resonance imaging. • Preclinical proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging of the brain for assessment of structural and metabolic changes in Alzheimer's disease.
Working to develop, implement and validate novel MRI methods of assessing muscle energetics, structure and function.
Continuing to work on ongoing longitudinal studies at the National Institute on Aging.
Working within the National Institute on Aging—a division of the National Institutes of Health—to develop optimised diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging techniques for application in skeletal muscle. These techniques will ultimately be utilised in a longitudinal study population, in order to assess changes in skeletal muscle properties with age.
Developed quantitative methods for use in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy protocols. In particular, the modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence was improved with the aid of: Bloch simulations in Matlab; in vitro experiments using doped agarose gel phantoms; and in vivo studies in healthy volunteers. MOLLI and an existing phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique were also utilised in a number of patient cohorts.