March 7, 2022 With the CNS MR Facility fully open, we are excited for the prospect of many new research endeavors and initiatives. One such initiative we implemented just before the pandemic was the opportunity for select students to run their own MRI experiments. Under the guidance of trained MRI staff, this program allows trainees to build practical experience in MRI data collection on their own projects. Primarily aimed at PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows with a focus on imaging as their field of study and career path, this program will help propel imaging students to careers as our future imaging investigators.If you meet the the prerequisites (see our SOP for full details), you will enter a badge program where you will gradually build more experience and confidence with the system:Step 1 - Introduction: First, you will be introduced to the equipment with some hands-on experience running phantoms and volunteers. Topics covered include system operation, safety, bedside manner, and troubleshooting.Step 2 - Practical Training - Yellow Badge: The next step is practical experience running your own experiment. Under the supervision of one of our staff, you will operate sessions of your own study from start to finish.Step 3 - Authorized User - Green Badge: After running your experiment supervised for a period of time, you will have a short hands-on test from our MR Manager. At that point you will be fully authorized to run your own experiments unsupervised.If you are interested in taking on this responsibility and building your experience with us, please contact our MR Manager Donald Brien to get started.
