Neuroimaging & Interventions
The neuroimaging and intervention research group consists of a diverse group of scientists and physicians that focus on the development of ultra-fast magnetic resonance imaging methods for evaluating neurological and psychiatric diseases. A priority of this group is to translate these newly invented techniques rapidly into the clinical environment so that they may increase our understanding of brain diseases and improve patient care. Neuroimaging scientists from radiology collaborate with colleagues across campus, including experts in psychiatry, neurology, neurological surgery, interventional neuroradiology, pediatric medicine and biomedical engineering.
Learn more about our work below.
Lirong Yan, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiology (Basic and Translational Radiology Research)
Bio
Dr. Yan is a tenured Associate Professor of Radiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Before she joined Northwestern University in 2022, she was a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California. Dr. Yan directs the Laboratory for Neurovascular Imaging Technology and Translation (NITT) at Department of Radiology. The research of her group focuses on developing novel MRI techniques for cerebral vascular and perfusion imaging (e.g., arterial spin labeling). Her research expertise includes MRI pulse sequence development, fast image acquisition and reconstruction, image processing, etc. Over the last decade, Dr. Yan and her team have developed several cutting-edged MRI techniques, including non-contrast enhanced time-resolved rapid 4-dimensional MR angiography, cerebrovascular territory mapping, cerebral arterial compliance and pulsatility, concurrent BOLD/ASL, etc.
Dr. Yan is also interested in translating novel MRI technology into a variety of clinical applications, such as cerebrovascular disease (stroke, intracranial atherosclerosis, arteriovenous malformation, moyamoya disease) and neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, aging). The mission of Dr. Yan’s research program is to develop non-invasive diagnostic MR imaging tools for cerebrovascular diseases and new imaging biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases.
Profile, Grants, & Publications
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Yu Fen Chen, PhD
Research Assistant Professor of Radiology (Basic and Translational Radiology Research)
Bio
My research focuses on applications of MR perfusion methods such as arterial spin labeling (ASL) or dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) imaging. Some of my projects include using ASL to study brain changes after sports-related concussion, treatment-related recovery in aphasia patients and single dose DSC-DCE.
For more information on my research, please view my Feinberg School of Medicine faculty profile.
Profile, Grants, & Publications
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Laleh Golestani Rad, PhD
Assistant Professor of McCormick School of Engineering, Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences and Radiology (Basic and Translational Radiology Research)
Bio
I am an engineer and scientist with expertise in the application of computational electromagnetic techniques for the safety assessment of medical imaging and therapeutic devices. My work currently focuses on application of computational modeling to guide hardware design, safety assessments, and the optimization of imaging protocols for MRI scans in patients with conductive implants.
For more information on my research, please view my McCormick School of Engineering or my Feinberg School of Medicine faculty profiles.
Profile, Grants, & Publications
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Todd Parrish, PhD
Professor of Radiology (Basic and Translational Radiology Research), McCormick School of Engineering and Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences
Bio
I have a strong expertise in image processing and neuroimaging with a special emphasis on MR based methods. My group and I have been successful in using advanced neuroimaging methods to demonstrate changes in BOLD, diffusion, perfusion, magnetization transfer and structural measures associated with function, memory and learning in the brain as well as movement, sensory, and pain in the spinal cord. I have a long history of methods development and application of neuroimaging methods to pathologic and clinical conditions. My current interests are developing novel methodologies to explore brain physiology to generate new imaging techniques to study the brain. These areas include neurovascular physiology, perfusion/permeability in tissue, multimodal imaging and image analysis, mechanisms of spinal cord structure and function, the use of infrared thermometry for intraoperative functional mapping in awake surgery, and application of machine learning to medical images. I have extensive experience conducting multi-center neuroimaging studies and understand the issues well. For details and images, visit the Parrish Neuroimaging Laboratory.
For more information on my research, please view my Feinberg School of Medicine faculty profile.
Profile, Grants, & Publications
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Ann Ragin, PhD
Research Professor of Radiology (Basic and Translational Radiology Research)
Bio
My research projects include Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging strategies for in vivo measurement of the brain to investigate effects of aging and of viruses, particularly HIV infection. Brain network analysis to investigate effects of aging and for early detection of neural injury. Collaborative projects involve applications of 4D flow imaging to investigate alterations in cerebral blood flow and relation to brain status. For details and images, visit the Northwestern CVMRI Group page.
For more information on my research, please view my Feinberg School of Medicine faculty profile.
Profile, Grants, & Publications
View my profile, grants, & publications on Northwestern Scholars.