As an engineer and biomedical scientist, my research applies physical concepts to understand brain growth and degeneration. Recently, we developed novel, physics-based approach to measure brain growth from longitudinally-collected magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, first used to analyze cortical growth in preterm infants. Current work applies this technology to measure cortical changes
in utero, during early pediatric development, and during neurodegeneration.
I also use advanced finite element modeling to link cellular changes to macroscopic brain morphology changes. Current NIH-funded work seeks to understand the mechanobiology of brain folding. Future work aspires to translate insights gained from imaging and modeling studies into useful clinical diagnostics and interventions.
Clinical Interests:
Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, Quality Improvement, Integrative Medicine
