Master's student position in Multiple Sclerosis

A Master’s student position is available in the research group of Dr. Yunyan Zhang at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Significant advances have been made in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate multiple sclerosis (MS). However, while gadolinium-enhancing activity is a standard measure for inflammatory pathology, there is no established imaging strategy to evaluate remyelination or repair in MS. The lack of a marker for remyelination confounds the translation to clinical practice of potential remyelinating agents that demonstrate promise in experimental models. It is hypothesized that specific changes in histopathology will give rise to unique alterations in MR images. Successful candidate will use quantitative MR imaging technologies, with a focus on MRI texture analysis, to assess tissue injury and repair in postmortem MS brain, animal models of MS, and MS patients. The student will learn MRI acquisition, processing and analysis, histopathology, and outcomes of MS patients. It would be ideal for the candidate to have image processing and analysis experience although it is not a requirement.  

The student will be co-supervised by Drs. Yunyan Zhang and Richard Frayne, and will be associated with the endMS Research and Training Network, which offers a rich environment for translational research and collaborative opportunities with experts in MS research. The candidate will be registered in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, with potential options in the Department of Medical Sciences or Biomedical Engineering Program depending on expertise. The focus of the project will be tailored accordingly.