Volume 9, Issue 3 | Summer 2024

Science Feature

Advances in MRI Aid Neurosurgical Assessments

By Kathleen Schmainda, PhD

As a solution, my laboratory developed a technology, referred to as dT1, to provide quantitative images not confounded by the bright signal from blood products, an example of which is shown in the figure. dT1 includes a machine-learned calibration step followed by image registration and subtraction. This process has been streamlined for clinical use into a semiautomatic workflow. The dT1 workflow was used in the study of 59 patients who underwent surgery for glioblastoma. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in median overall survival for a dT1-determined RTV, which was not demonstrated for qualitative assessment. These results suggest an emerging role for quantitative dT1 images with relevance for intraoperative MRI, neurosurgical navigation, and postoperative disease surveillance. As such, in collaboration with Max Krucoff, MD, FAANS, FACS, assistant professor of neurosurgery at MCW, dT1 is being evaluated for use in the assessment of an emerging neurosurgical approach termed laser-induced thermal therapy.

Post-surgery dT1 of 45 year old male with isocitrate dehydrogenase wildtype glioblastoma. Shown are the pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted images (T1, T1+C) and the corresponding dT1 image. The dT1 map confirms maximal extent of removal of the anterior portion of tumor, as targeted.

Reference

1. Laing B, Prah MA, Best BJ, et al. Application of Delta T1 Maps for Quantitative and Objective Assessment of Extent of Resection and Survival Prediction in Glioblastoma. Neurosurgery Practice 2024;5:1–7.

Graduate Student Q&A

Learn about the students in our Biophysics Graduate Program.

Following graduation, I joined a computational and experimental biophysics lab, where I worked on microfluidics for two years. This role allowed me to conduct independent research and culminated in a first-author publication in the journal Biomicrofluidics.

Research Interests: My primary interest lies in developing devices and techniques for biomedical applications. I am particularly drawn to areas such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidics, and finite element analysis. Currently, I am engaged in simulations using ANSYS to enhance EPR signals. In the future, I plan to leverage my background in MEMS and microfluidics to develop innovative techniques and devices in the field of EPR.

Future Plans: My ultimate goal is to continue in academia and establish my own research group. However, I am also open to industrial research positions.

Fun Facts: I enjoy staying active through volleyball, weight training, and biking along the trails in and around Milwaukee. On weekends, I like to unwind by exploring new restaurants with friends, and occasionally we go on small hikes together.

Biophysics Alumni: Where Are They Now?

Dr. Bandettini is an alumnus of MCW and a past graduate student of Dr. Hyde who went on to have a remarkably successful and productive career in fMRI. Notably, while in Dr. Hyde’s lab, Dr. Bandettini was the first author on the first paper published on functional MRI.

In May 2024, Dr. Bandettini was the first guest lecturer at our inaugural James S. Hyde, PhD, Memorial Lecture. He is pictured below (left) with Drs. Francesca Marassi and Candice Klug, and below (right) presenting.

We are pleased to share that Dr. Bandettini is the MCW Graduate School's 2024 Graduate Studies Alumnus of the Year. The celebration will take place in September 2024.

Department News

Welcome

• Emmanuel Barbosa, PhD (postdoc, Marinelli lab)
• Benjamin Chao (graduate student, LaViolette lab)
• Micael Hardy, PhD (visiting professor from Aix-Marseille University)
• Emily Hogg (student intern, Marassi lab)
• Akash Jha (predoctoral summer student, Marassi lab)
• Vanessa Leone Alvarez, PhD (assistant professor)
• Fabrizio Marinelli, PhD (associate professor)
• Tadeusz Sarna, PhD (visiting professor from Jagiellonian University)

Congratulations

• Laura Borst was promoted to business operations coordinator.
• Gang Cheng, Balaraman Kalyanaraman, & Micael Hardy published an article in Cancer Metabolism.
• Gang Cheng, Micael Hardy, Jimmy Feix, & Balaraman Kalyanaraman published an article in Communications Biology; the article was also featured in Parkinson's News Today.
• Savannah Duenweg successfully defended her dissertation, titled Non-Invasive Tracking of Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Using Radio-Pathomic Mapping, for her PhD (advisor: Peter S. LaViolette, PhD, MS).
• Neil Hogg published an article in American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.
• Michael Lerch was promoted to associate professor.
• Shi-Jiang Li published an article in Alzheimer's & Dementia.
• Stephen Mazurchuk successfully defended his dissertation, titled An Experiential Account of Semantic Category Organization in the Brain, for his PhD (advisor: Jeffrey R. Binder, MD).
• Melissa Prah & Kathleen Schmainda published an article in American Journal of Neuroradiology and an article in Neurosurgery Practice.
• Kathleen Schmainda was selected as a new member of the Society for Research Excellence.
• Joseph Wehrley was promoted to engineering technician II.

Years of Service

Two Biophysics employees were honored for their years of service to MCW. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!

• Christine Zeller (department administrator) - 15 years
• Cathy Marszalkowski (clinical research coordinator II, Schmainda lab) - 25 years

Featured Pets

Biophysics News is a quarterly MCW departmental newsletter aimed at enhancing departmental engagement through information and good news sharing. Do you have information you’d like to share—news, events, photos, a photo of your pet? Send it to Lydia.

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