###Research Interests
I started magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research in 1995 under Dr. Michael Buonocore at University of California Davis when I was in graduate school. I developed high-resolution echo planar imaging, arterial spin labeling and phase contrast pulse sequences, and associated analytical techniques for clinical applications. I joined GE Healthcare in 2000 after I completed my PhD. I worked on various MR methodology developments, including fast spin echo imaging and fast volumetric imaging. I also participated in the development of the new EXCITE MR system. I decided to return to academic research in late 2002. I joined the Brain Research Imaging Center at the University of Chicago as an MRI physicist. I continued my research in MR imaging techniques, specifically, spiral imaging for functional MRI (fMRI) applications, T1 mapping of the brain and the quantification of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics for the study of hydrocephalus. I also expanded my interest to fMRI applications.
I joined the faculty at Michigan State University in 2005. With other faculty members, we developed the Cognitive Imaging Research Center, and I have been supporting its growth in a role of an MRI physicist and the lead of the support team. I have been collaborating with clinical experts to develop MRI techniques to detect and characterize plaques at the carotid artery, with chemists on MR molecular imaging, and with psychologists and neuroscientists to apply fMRI and other neuroimaging methods to study visual cognition, attention, memory, language processing, social cognition, concussion, normal aging and Alzheimer's disease. Currently, I am leading the Imaging Core of an NIH funded clinical trial aimed to reduce the risks of Alzheimer's disease.
Current research focuses:
* MR and fMRI imaging technique development.
* MRI of normal aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and AD risk reduction.
* MRI of mild traumatic brain injury/concussion.
* Use neuroimaging techniques to understand the effect of hypertension on the brain.
* Brain MRI: Speech production in normally fluent and stuttering speakers, especially children.
