{"id":740,"date":"2023-01-31T15:11:12","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T14:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/mic-map\/?page_id=740"},"modified":"2025-12-10T13:45:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T12:45:18","slug":"master-bachelor-projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/mic-map\/master-bachelor-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Master & bachelor projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Master & bachelor projects<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Microstructural Diffusion MRI in the Rodent Brain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION<\/strong>: Diffusion MRI is a powerful tool to quantify biological tissue microstructure in vivo and non-invasively. The goal of this project is to use advanced biophysical models of diffusion MRI to extract quantitative maps of brain microstructure in animal models of disease vs healthy controls. Possible applications include Parkinson\u2019s disease, creatine deficiency or stroke. Because the estimation of these model parameters can be challenging (degeneracy or high uncertainty), the optimization of model fitting (e.g. via soft constraints or Bayesian uncertainty estimation) to improve biological interpretability is also a possible project lead.
This project will be carried out within the Radiology Research Unit of the CHUV, supervised by Dr. Rita Oliveira<\/a> and Prof. Ileana Jelescu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

START DATE<\/strong>: January 2026 onward<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PROFILE<\/strong>: We are seeking a highly motivated master’s student with a background in Electrical\/Micro\/Life Science Engineering or Physics. The project is flexible and can be adapted based on the student\u2019s background and on the University programme\u2019s requirements. By the end, you will be able to confidently process neuroimaging data and work with biophysical models of brain microstructure. Very good coding skills are essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTERESTED?<\/strong> Contact Ana.Veiga-De-Oliveira@chuv.ch<\/a><\/a> or ileana.jelescu@chuv.ch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unraveling the contrast mechanism of neuromelanin-sensitive MRI<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION<\/strong>: Neuromelanin\u2011sensitive MRI is a novel technique that holds high clinical potential, as it detects pathological alterations in a wide range of diseases, among them Parkinson\u2019s disease and schizophrenia. While its name suggests that it measures the pigment neuromelanin, a surrogate of catecholaminergic function, the physical mechanisms underlying this MRI contrast are debated in the literature. Some researchers even doubt the sequence\u2019s sensitivity to neuromelanin at all. Understanding the underlying physics is essential for quantitative neuromelanin imaging, which could improve early diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative disorders. We aim to explain the neuromelanin-sensitive MRI contrast using computer simulations of the MRI signal. In our lab, we generate synthetic tissue using computer algorithms to study the signal in diffusion MRI. The goal of this master\u2019s project is to extend our computer simulations to include two effects pivotal for the neuromelanin\u2011sensitive MRI contrast: longitudinal relaxation and magnetization transfer.
This project will be carried out within the Radiology Research Unit of the CHUV, supervised by Dr. Malte Brammerloh<\/a> and Prof. Ileana Jelescu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the student will deliver<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n