GIRARD Olivier
Research Engineer (PhD)
at AMUOperational manager of the Siemens MAGNETOM 7T Terra system
Research on quantitative imaging and Ultra High Field
Expert of ihMT and Microstuctural MRI
Training of students on MR physics
Research Engineer (PhD)
Detailed Activities
My current research interests are focused on new endogenous contrast mechanisms and ultra-high field (UHF) MRI. UHF MRI offers unique opportunities for improved spatial resolution as well as enhanced sensitivity and contrast. To reach these goals UHF MRI require new methodological developments that drive the global MR research effort with outcomes benefiting to the whole MRI community. In addition, a variety of advanced quantitative MRI techniques have emerged (e.g. inhomogeneous Magnetization Transfer – ihMT, Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping – QSM, Ultrashort Echo-Time imaging – UTE, Arterial Spin Labeling – ASL) allowing to reveal new kinds of MR contrasts. These allow for a more precise and powerful tissue characterization, especially relative to tissue microstructure and function. There are high synergies and challenges combining advanced quantitative techniques and UHF MRI. My work focus on developing new methodology to that end, ultimately providing new tools to push further the boundaries of what MRI can provide to researchers and clinicians.
I am responsible of the 7T human MRI platform and am co-leading the ihMT research program with Guillaume Duhamel at CRMBM. This new contrast mechanism allows revealing dipolar order within macromolecules, a yet unexplored degree of freedom in MRI, and has promising applications for myelin imaging. We have pioneered this new technique with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – BIDMC, Harvard Medical School.
Keywords
- Inhomogenous Magnetization Transfer (ihMT)
- Microstructure/architecture
- MR Physics / MR Method developments
- New Contrasts
- New MR Biomarkers
- Quantitative MRI
- Ultra-high field MRI
- Molecular Imaging
General Information
– 2016-Ongoing : Member of the communication work-group at CRMBM
– 2016-2021 : Board member of the French NMR society (GERM – Groupement d’Etudes de Résonance Magnétique)
– 2017-2019 : Member of the Web Editorial Board of the international MRI society (ISMRM – International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine)
– 2013 : Junior Fellow of the ISMRM (1 year Observer in the Education Committee)