Recent awards
Research impact funding: The Parkinson’s Research Outreach Network at the University of Hertfordshire (PRONET at UH) was set up to bring together anyone interested in Parkinson’s research. This project will run a number of research engagement events, with individuals with Parkinson’s collaborating on the planning and delivery.
Cross-Sector Experience Awards from the Academy of Medical Sciences: partnering with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust this project will allow me to work on focussed ultrasound imaging. Looking forward to working with Professor Wladyslaw Gedroyc and his team.
Research fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Leverhulme Trust: During this project I will build on my expertise from DBS, and recent initial work on FUS to produce patient specific models of the FUS induced lesion site in the correct anatomical location using medical imaging data and brain atlases. These will be coupled to existing biophysical models of axons and neurons and a model of network activity. This combined FUS model will be used to understand clinical efficacy with regards to lesion location and sonication. The key outcome of this project will be to improve the clinical effect for people with essential tremor.
Computational model of SNS (sacral nerve stimulation) induced electrical current flow using tractography imaging: This study aims to obtain finer details of tissues surrounding a lead in the pelvis using a combination of high resolution anatomical MRI sequences and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Diffusion tensor imaging is a non-invasive technique sometimes described as fibre tractography that enables visualization of the pathways and integrity of nerves. In this feasibility study we plan to use DTI to assess the sacral plexus and its peripheral nerves. A computational model will be constructed by superimposing SNS lead from a CT scan onto the DTI imaging to map out the electrode position. It is hoped that this study will lead to better understanding of both therapeutic and adverse stimulation effects and enable patient-specific adjustments of stimulation parameters.