our research

our research focuses on the interplay between biomedical imaging, biomechanics, and device design. by investigating imaging to characterise the underlying microstructure and microenvironment of tissues we aim to bridge these gaps, particularly in women's health. working closely with clinicians, this work originates in ex vivo research with the goal for its eventual clinical translation.

  • women's health

    we are focused on putting women's health at the forefront. harnessing our expertise in imaging, microstructure and biomechanics, and device design we are looking towards understanding reproductive tissues and breast tissue in women. ultimately, we aim to innovate within women's healthcare.

  • imaging

    with a focus on non-invasive imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging, we aim to characterise tissue microstructures and microenvironments. coupling methods like diffusion tensor imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping with ground truth imaging techniques, we hope to further insights from these methods for clinical translation.

  • biomechanics

    coupled with our imaging focus on microstructural components, our group looks to understand the mechanical implications of component content and alignment, as informed by imaging.

  • device design

    with improved visualisations into tissue-device interactions from non-invasive imaging, we look to use this insight to design better devices as well as monitor their integration. similarly, this can be applied to tissue engineered graft integration.

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diffusion tensor imaging

diffusion tensor imaging is a magnetic resonance imaging technique which uses the diffusion of water molecules to map a tissue’s underlying microstructure. with extensive work done in arterial tissue, we have seen the sensitivity of this method to cell and elastin content. our more recent work looks to investigate this method in liver tissue, as well as breast and reproductive tissues.

Right: diffusion tensor imaging derived tractography of excised human carotid artery (https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.122.318112)

microstructural insight

by trying to bridge ex vivo imaging into the clinic for in vivo use, we often use gold standard techniques such as polarised light microscopy to confirm our non-invasive imaging. to the left, the detailed collagen architecture in liver tissue can be clearly visualised (unpublished data).

ongoing projects + collaborators

  • NOVAP: novel device for ventilator associated pneumonia prevention

    Funded by an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund

  • Irish Research Council Employment based PhD

    Co-funded by Stryker Neurovascular

  • Trinity St. James’s Cancer Institute Cancer Research Stimulus Awards

    The TSJCI CREST Awards are supported by a philanthropic gift from The Dr Margaret Sau Sheung Ip and Dr Jonathan Chiu Fund.