The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Spectroscopy summer school, organized by our partner university Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH), will emphasize translational neuroimaging. The course covers the entire spectrum, from the technical aspects of MRI hardware and the fundamental principles of image formation to the biological origin's of different imaging contrasts. Participants will be able to gain a solid understanding of widely used techniques such as relaxometry, diffusion-based imaging and functional MRI, while exploring their biological underpinnings and key applications in neuroscientific and biomedical research. The combination of practical and theoretical sessions will allow participants to acquire practical experience in data acquisition, image preprocessing and analysis. Additionally this year‘s course will introduce artificial intelligence (AI) applications, as a novelty to previous editions, influencing data collection and analysis and highlighting it‘s transformative role in modern neuroimaging.
This introductory course is designed for Bachelor’s, Master‘s and PhD students, as well as researchers with no prior experience in the field. It is intended for those who wish to learn or implement these techniques in their laboratories. Please note that this is not an advanced-level course.
Selected participants receive a fully funded NeurotechEU scholarship, which will cover your expenses for travel and accommodation.
Preliminary Program
Wednesday 9, July (Day 1)
8:45 h - 9:00 h Registration and Welcome
9:00 h - 10:30 h Technical aspects of MRI hardware (David Moratal)
10:30 h - 12:00h MRI contrasts and image formation (David Moratal)
Coffee break
12h30 - 14h00 Theoretical basis of MR spectroscopy (Pilar López-Larrubia)
Lunch
15h00 - 16h30 Applications of MR spectroscopy (Pilar López-Larrubia)
16h30 - 17h30 Practical session of data collection I (Mohamed Selim)
17h30 - 18h30 Practical session of data collection II (Mohamed Selim)
Thursday 10, July (Day 2)
9h00 - 10h30 Theoretical basis of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) (Santiago Canals)
10h30 - 12h00 Applications of fMRI (Santiago Canals)
Coffee break
12h30 - 14h00 Theoretical basis of Diffusion-Weighted MRI (dw-MRI) (Silvia De Santis)
Lunch
15h00 - 16h30 Applications of dw-MRI (Silvia De Santis)
16h30 - 18h30 Practical session of data analysis I (Mohamed Selim)
Friday 11, July (Day 3)
90h00 - 10h30 Machine Learning applied to MRI data acquisition (Maximilian Eggl)
10h30 - 12h00 Machine Learning applied to MRI data analysis (Maximilian Eggl)
Coffee break
12h30 - 14h00 Practical session of data analysis II (Mohamed Selim)
Lunch
15h00 - 16h30 Practical session of data analysis III (Maximilian Eggl)
(19h) Social activity and Dinner
Speakers
Dr. Pilar López-Larrubia is a Tenured Scientist at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols-Morreale (IIBM), a joint center of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Her research focuses on the application of MRI and Spectroscopy to study central nervous system pathologies.
Dr. David Moratal is a Full Professor of Medical Imaging and Electronics at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Spain. His research focuses on medical imaging, particularly MRI, encompassing image processing, acquisition techniques, and the development of new technologies for data acquisition and reconstruction.
Dr. Maximilian F. Eggl is a researcher at the Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, a joint center of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH). He specializes in the application of mathematical modeling and machine learning to neuroscience.
Dr. Mohamed Kotb Selim is a researcher at the University of Nottingham, specializing in computational neuroimaging. Dr. Selim's research focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to study the brain's structure and function.
Dr. Silvia De Santis is a Tenured Scientist at the Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante (CSIC-UMH), specialized in the development and application of advanced MRI techniques. Her research is centered on developing innovative, non-invasive MRI tools relevant to both basic and clinical neuroscience.
Dr. Santiago Canals is a Full Professor at the Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante (CSIC-UMH). His research focuses on understanding communication brain networks in the context of memory formation and drug addiction. To this end, they combine fMRI with electrophysiological recordings, optogenetics, and pharmacogenetics.