Graduate and Post Graduate Training Programs and Courses

Training Programs

Postdoctoral Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Research Training Program (for Cancer-related Biomedical Imaging)

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Training Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute (5T32CA009502), trains MD and PhD researchers to develop an in-depth understanding of biomedical imaging principles and techniques and apply these to experimental disease models and clinical situations. This program funds up to four trainees per year to pursue research training that is directly applicable to the advancement of our understanding diagnosis and treatment of cancer. 

The faculty consists of MD and PhD scientists with extensive experience in clinical and basic science imaging research and in pre and postdoctoral education. A cirriculum of teaching, laboratory exercises and individual research projects provides trainees with the tools to pursue an academic career in biomedical imaging research. While all trainees are encouraged to gain a working knowledge to perform basic studies on all NMR instrumentation including he imaging magnets and spectrometers, we recognize the importance of other imaging modalities in the future of cancer research, and are now offering training in optical and PET imaging as part of the curriculum.   Trainees participate in design, data collection and analysis of ongoing research projects and are encouraged to publish results and present at local, national and international meetings. Trainees will also have opportunities to interact with several other training programs within the hospital.

NIH trainees have no direct patient care responsibilities, however they will have the opportunity (depending on their individual interests) to work on clinical research projects. The specific activities of each clinical research project are approved by the MGH Human Studies Committee and supervised the faculty preceptor.

This Training Program selects candidates based on their qualifications and commitment to an academic career.  Candidates are considered without regard to sex, religion, or ethic or racial background. Minorities are encouraged to apply. Must be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder. A two year commitment is required for this position.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Please send a CV and letter of interest to:

Dr. Anna Moore, Ph.D. (amoore@helix.mgh.harvard.edu)
Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
Building 149 13th Street (CNY2301),
Charlestown, MA 02129
617-724-0540

Krista Fariel (fariel@nmr.mgh.harvard.edu)
Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
Building 149 13th Street (CNY2301),
Charlestown, MA 02129
617-724-2223

MEMP Neuroimaging Graduate Training Program

The Neuroimaging Training Program is a unique multidisciplinary curriculum in biomedical imaging focuses on the application of modern brain imaging tools to solving basic and clinical neuroscience questions such as the underlying etiology of brain-based disorders, mechanisms of treatment, and predictors of response. The thirty faculty preceptors are drawn from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the Harvard teaching hospitals. The program is offered via the Medical Engineering/Medical Physics (MEMP) graduate education program of the joint Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) of Harvard University and MIT and is sponsored by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) (5T32EB001680).

US Citizens or Green Card Holders only may apply.
For more information and to apply, contact Randy Gollub, MD, PhD

Advanced Multimodal Neuroimaging Training Program (predoctoral)

This program provides training opportunities in neuroimaging research for advanced Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate students from a variety of disciplines and departments. The program offers interdisciplinary training designed to integrate basic and cognitive neuroscience applications with the fundamental physical and biological bases of neuroimaging. Through coursework and hands-on experience with the technologies and analytic methods of neuroimaging, trainees are prepared to apply brain imaging technologies to understanding questions in neuroscience.

Central to the training experience is a research project focused on multimodal neuroimaging, constituting the student’s PhD thesis, or a part thereof. This project will be jointly mentored by a team of faculty mentors that includes the student’s primary graduate advisor and a co-mentor with expertise in a complementary area of study. As the project should expand the student’s training from neuroscience to physical science, or vice versa, it is expected that the mentorship team provides representative expertise in both imaging technology and neuroscience applications. Applications that do not propose both a technical mentor and one representing a relevant area of neuroscience will not be considered for appointment.

Students are also required to take part in training-related educational activities and complete complementary coursework to extend their knowledge in the physical science or neuroscience domain. They are expected to spend time in the laboratories of both the primary mentor and co-mentor. To further broaden and enrich the training experience, students are encouraged to attend, and if possible present their research at, scientific meetings relevant to their area of study. All presentations, posters, and publications that relate to the work done with support from this training program must acknowledge the program.

Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in a relevant PhD program at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, or Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is expected that most applicants are senior students who have completed their qualifying examinations and are candidates for the PhD in their department. Students in the earlier years of graduate study may also be considered under some circumstances. The training program is available to US citizens and permanent residents as well as international students in these Harvard and MIT graduate programs.

Students selected for the program are expected to commit full-time effort for an appointment term of 12 months. Appointed students may not simultaneously hold other fellowships.

Financial Support
The program, supported by the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, provides funds to help support the trainee’s graduate stipend and tuition & fees; a travel allowance is also provided to offset a portion of the costs associated with travel to relevant scientific meetings.

Please note that the financial support provided by this training program will not cover the full costs of graduate tuition and stipend for most students. Additional funds to supplement stipend and tuition must come from a non-federal funding source. Please consider this requirement in planning for application to this program. Upon submission of the application, it is expected that the student, mentor(s), and graduate administrators in the student’s department have discussed preliminary plans to supplement the training grant award.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. Please email the Predoctoral Program Application Form and NIH biosketch to Nichole Eusemann.

Download:

• Predoctoral Training Application Form
• NIH Biosketch Form

University Courses

Spatial Aspects of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy HST 562J

Imaging Biophysics and Clinical Applications HST 563

This team-taught course takes advantage of the many, diverse HST-affiliated imaging labs and faculty to provide a broad introduction to the range of applications of biomedical imaging in research as well as in the clinic, including discussions of those imaging modalities not fully addressed in other classes such as HST 560J (ultrasound, MEG and optical imaging, for example).

The course introduces students to a) connections and distinctions between various imaging modalities, b) common goals of biomedical imaging, c) broadly defined targets of biomedical imaging, and d) the current practical and economic landscape of biomedical imaging research. Together with HST560J, and forthcoming HST courses, it prepares students for careers in biomedical imaging.

Offered: Spring

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Data Acquisition and Analysis HST 583

This team-taught, multidisciplinary graduate-level course, offered via the MIT/Harvard University Health Sciences and Technology Division, provides information relevant to the conduct and interpretation of human brain mapping studies. In-depth coverage of the physics of image formation, mechanisms of image contrast, and the physiological basis for image signals. Parenchymal and cerebrovascular neuroanatomy and application of sophisticated structural analysis algorithms for segmentation and registration of functional data discussed. Additional topics include fMRI experimental design including block design, event related and exploratory data analysis methods, and building and applying statistical models for fMRI data. Human subject issues including informed consent, institutional review board requirements and safety in the high-field environment are presented. Twice weekly lectures and weekly laboratory and discussion sessions. Laboratory will include fMRI data acquisition sessions and data analysis workshops. Assignments include reading of both textbook chapters and primary literature as well as fMRI data analysis in the laboratory. Probability, linear algebra, differential equations, and introductory or college-level subjects in neurobiology, physiology, and physics required.

For more information, contact Randy Gollub, MD, PhD, visit the HST583 Course Website, or download the course flyer.

Magnetic Resonance: Analytic, Biochemical and Imaging Techniques HST 584J

This graduate level course offered via the MIT Health Sciences and Technology program is an introduction to basic NMR theory. Examples of biochemical data obtained using NMR are summarized along with other related experiments. Detailed study of NMR imaging techniques includes discussions of basic cross-sectional image reconstruction, image contrast, flow and real-time imaging, and hardware design considerations. Exposure to laboratory NMR spectroscopic and imaging equipment is included.

Offered: Spring.

For more information, contact Bruce Rosen, MD, PhD, Course Director.