NeuroImaging Laboratory at Pitt

We study neurovascular and neurometabolic interactions in health and disease

Assessing brain function and dysfunction can be achieved by monitoring blood and nutrient supply as well as clearance of byproducts.

Our mission is to understand the interplay between neurons and the vascular system to maintain brain health throughout life and develop approaches to monitor and promote brain homeostasis.

Our research sits in the intersection between neurobiology and neuroengineering

We combine standard probe based sensors and modulators with optical and magnetic resonance based approaches, like multi-photon microscopy, layer fMRI and optogenetics, to monitor and manipulate brain function.

Neurodegeneration often impacts blood vessels in addition to brain tissue.

Our studies on brain dysfunction emphasize vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Early detection is paramount to assess changes in brain function suggestive of advancing neurodegeneration. Vascular dysfunction can play an important role when combined with neurophysiological biomarkers of neuronal dysfunction. This project builds on our research mission and seeks to develop biomarkers and imaging protocols that inform changes in brain function.

Our expertise imaging neuronal, vascular and immune responses has enabled a highly collaborative environment that forms an essential part of our research. These projects aim to characterize the long-term impact of neural devices to readout and modulate brain activity. We also study the impact of injury (cardiac arrest, stroke and traumatic brain injury) on brain function. Our collaborators span groups in the University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).

Collaborative Projects

Engineering Approaches to Monitor and Promote Brain Health

We use our basic research findings to develop approaches to monitor brain function and dysfunction as well develop strategies to restore brain homeostasis using novel engineering approaches. We lead this effort in collaboration with our colleagues in UPMC, Bioengineering and Carnegie Mellon University.

Lab News and Events

  • Jenna receives Neuroscience Research Award

    May 1, 2023

    Jenna wins Neuroscience Research Excellence Award during graduation!

  • Chris gets NIH grant

    Nov 5, 2022

    Congratulations to Chris for getting his NIH F30 grant funded!! (link)

  • Adiya gets AHA grant

    Dec 15, 2022

    Congratulations to Adiya on getting an amazing score on her pre-doc AHA fellowship application!!

  • Winter Holiday Party

    Dec 16, 2022

    Thank you all for participating in the Lab’s Holiday Party!

  • Alberto visits MRI birthplace

    Great visit to the University of Illiniois Urbana Champaign, thanks for the tour Prof. Sutton!

  • NVC Retreat 2022

    Aug 14, 2022

    The Neurovascular Coupling Cluster hosted by the CNBC at CMU-Pitt went on a retreat to Deep Creek.

  • Brain 2022 Glasgow

    The Neuroimaging lab went to Glasgow for the Brain 2022 conference. Adiya, Fernanda, Andrew, Young and Noah all presented orals!

  • Andrew presents his Honors Thesis

    April 22, 2022

    Andrew completed his undergraduate degree at Pitt in ECE and presented his honors thesis project. He also was awarded an excellence award at his undergraduate ceremony!

  • Fernanda gets F31 grant

    Feb 27, 2023

    Congratulations to Fernanda for getting her NIH F31 grant awarded!

  • Fernanda selected for AAAS Policy workshop

    March 1, 2023

    Fernanda was selected to attend the AAAS Science Policy Workshop in DC later this month! (link).

The Neuroimaging lab is looking for motivated individuals that find our work exciting and will help push our mission forward. While funding continually fluctuates, we have an outstanding funding record and we look forward to helping secure funds for outstanding candidates whether through internal or external sources.

Join our team?

Let’s meet up, we would be happy to show you our laboratory and talk about our ongoing research.

Send us a message if you are in the Pittsburgh area and are interested in visiting the lab or want to explore research opportunities.