Beth Meyerand
Position title: Professor, Departments of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Email: memeyerand@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 263-1685
Departments:
Medical Physics
Biomedical Engineering
Education:
M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Ph.D. in Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Research Description:
The research in my lab involves the development and application of magnetic resonance imaging methods for imaging brain pathology in animal models and in humans. Our goal is the development and application of new MR methods to visualize the structure and function of the brain and to translate these methods to the hospital for clinical diagnosis.
One of the areas upon which we concentrate our research is functional MRI (fMRI). FMRI allows us to visualize both the temporal and spatial patterns of brain activity in response to different stimuli. We are particularly interested in the development of new analysis methods to improve our understanding of brain function. In addition to analyzing brain activation, we are also developing techniques to explore brain connectivity using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and the concept of effective connectivity. As implemented in MRI, DTI is a noninvasive imaging technique that can be used to probe the intrinsic diffusion characteristics of tissue. Brain tissue where diffusion is restricted or anisotropic (white matter) will appear at a different level of brightness in a DTI image than tissue with isotropic diffusion (gray matter). As a result, DTI is extremely useful for providing exquisitely detailed in vivo maps of major white matter fiber pathways. Regions of the brain are located using fMRI. Integration of these regions is achieved through the information gained from DTI. We explore effective connectivity in a variety of large-scale neurocognitive networks using different mathematical modeling techniques, including dynamic causal modeling.
Research Key Words:
MRI Methods, DTI Techniques, Brain Connectivity, Neurological Diseases
Diversity Statement:
I am dedicated to training, mentoring, and promoting an inclusive, safe and supportive research environment. I expect that students, faculty, administrators and staff at UW-Madison will respect differences and demonstrate diligence in understanding how other peoples’ perspectives, behaviors, and worldviews may be different from their own.
I am a “Master Trainer” for a NIH U45 “National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) for a Diverse Biomedical Workforce”, which is a nationwide consortium to enhance the training and career development of individuals from diverse backgrounds, communities and cultures who are pursuing biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social science research careers through networking and mentorship experiences.