Neurological Disease and Disorder Research Opportunities

The Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) was established in 2000 as a quantitative imaging research center with the goal of extending the boundaries of current knowledge regarding neurological diseases and disorders through innovative research techniques and the application of bioinformatics resources. With the aid of talented researchers, BNAC grew quickly. The Center is equipped with the necessary technology, software and experience to carry out specialized neuroimaging studies and houses a computer center that performs quantitative analysis of MRI scans. The BNAC network, designed for security and speed, connects thirty workstations to the server and backup server. Gigabytes Ethernet-based networking provides high-speed access to data from anywhere on the BNAC network. Connections managed by firewalls allow a constant flow of new images from external MRI centers to its internal network, allowing scans to arrive at The BNAC within minutes of acquisition.

In addition to conventional quantitative analysis, BNAC is a leader in the development of new analysis techniques geared toward obtaining a more complete understanding of underlying disease processes. Since its inception, BNAC has been establishing itself as a world leader in global and regional quantitative brain atrophy research in multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as other neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The BNAC strives to improve the research of neurological diseases and disorders as well as to properly identify these illnesses using improved diagnostic tools as well as its clinical, MRI and genetic correlates. Numerous peer-reviewed publications, books and book chapters, as well as awards reflect our high-quality of research. Since the beginning, BNAC research projects have involved international collaboration with a variety of clinicians and scientists pursuing the use of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study brain disorders.

The BNAC has taken part in more than $20 million of research grant projects. Hence, The Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center is seeking students to work on research projects during the summer break or throughout the calendar year. Students who have a strong background in neuroscience, physics and mathematics (particularly numerical approaches) and would like to work on the implementation of these post-processing techniques in research and clinical settings are welcome. Students that will be considered include: Ph.D., Masters, Medical Students, Graduate and Undergraduate. Ideally, candidates will also have some image processing experience and be skilled in Matlab or C/C++ and SPSS. Imaging techniques: Iron imaging, Myelin imaging, Regional atrophy, Venous flow research, Optical coherence tomography, Diffusion tensor imaging, functional MRI. Imaging application: Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy, Stroke and Aging.

Medicine and Biomedical Sciences