Associate Professor of Radiology, Neurobiology and Bioengineering
Co-Director, Pre-Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory
McGowan Institute (MIRM) #159.05
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA
Tel. (412) 624-1210, e-Mail: alv15@pitt.edu
Google Scholar
My NCBI
Alberto L. Vazquez, Ph.D.
Education
Academic training including degrees conferred.
-
Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering (1994)
Concentrated in Electrical Engineering
-
Masters of Science in Bioengineering (1997)
-
Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering (2005)
fMRI Laboratory
Advisor: Douglas C. Noll, Ph.D.
Thesis: “Dynamics of the Blood Oxygenation Response in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging”
-
Post-doc in Neurobiology and Radiology (2009)
Advisor: Seong-Gi Kim, Ph.D.
Research Interests
Imaging in vivo physiology using optical and magnetic resonance imaging approaches.
Neuro-vascular and neuro-metabolic interactions in health and disease, especially Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and VCID.
Image acquisition and reconstruction, data analyses strategies, simulation of imaging systems and computational modeling of biological phenomena.
Early detection of brain dysfunction using translational tools.
Engineering approaches to promote or restore brain homeostasis and health.
My Approach
-
A fundamental understanding of the principles underlying large-scale recording systems like imaging technologies, from signal sensitivity to digitization and information reconstruction, are at the core of my research platform. It enables development, redesign and modeling of the systems we measure.
-
The brain orchestrates vital functions ranging in complexity, from distilling sensory input, executing motor output, and processing cognitive information. The brain is composed of a very diverse population of cells with specialized properties, of which neurons are just one type of cell. Neurons themselves are also incredibly diverse. A fundamental neurophysiological understanding of constituents of brain tissue (neurons and other supporting cells, such as glia and blood vessels) is necessary to distinguish between normal brain function and dysfunction. It is also essential in the engineering of systems and devices that intend to record, manipulate or interface with the brain.
-
Pittsburgh is Medicine. Pittsburgh is Brain. Pittsburgh is Neural Engineering. These are areas our local institutions have focused on and devote tremendous resources. Pittsburgh is also many more things. As a non-Pittsburgh native I have come to find my place here outside of work as well. Pittsburgh is coffee. Pittsburgh is biking. Pittsburgh is food. Pittsburgh is beer. Pittsburgh is donuts!
-
Fundamentals, depth, verification strategies. These are at the core of my research approach. I believe and participate in hands-on training, encourage end-to-end experimentation, and the open discussion of research possibilities and ideas. I use modeling and simulation of the systems we investigate to facilitate a deeper understanding and quantitative testing of our research questions.
When Not Working…
(ok some of these are at work, but it’s because work is pretty fun too)
Other Interests
Jogging and biking around Pittsburgh especially around the GAP trail in the South Side near work.
I continue my habit of searching to new music, here are some of the ones that guide my searches; Best Albums of the 1990s (The Low End Theory, MellonCollie and Infinite Sadness, The Lonesome Crowded West, Keep It Like a Secret), Best Albums of the 2000s (KidA/Amnesiac, Out From Outwhere, DE9, Shutup I am Dreaming), Best Albums of the 2010s (Oishin, Teens of Denial, X100PRE), Best Albums of the 2020s (USB, Frog in Boiling Water, …)