Academic Interests
Medical imaging, with FDG-PET/CT and MR, used in diagnostics and image guided radiotherapy. Image analysis, segmentation, and classification, used to examine the dynamic interplay between measured physiological functions of the tissue, like perfusion and metabolism. Explore possibilities for multi modal modeling compared to separate interpretations.
The workflow contains co-registration, calculation of physiological models, and image segmentation. The calculations are mainly conducted in Interactive Data Language (IDL). The connection between physics and physiology, clinical practice and science, is both interesting and stimulating. Though the field is wide I am determined to find my spot.
A short story of metabolism
The basis of a FDG-PET image is the measurement of the distribution of radioactive sugar in patients. Manipulating sugar metabolism is one of the oldest biochemical experiment conducted by man. That is using yeast to brew a variety of alcoholic substances. Since the invention of the microscope and the discovery of microorganisms, research has been conducted to find an explanation of how grapes turned to wine, milk turned to cheese, and grain turned to beer. From the beginning it was apparent that the efficiency of the process, in the case of beer or wine: the amount of alcohol produced per unit of sugar, depended both on the abundance of sugar (Crabtree) and availability of oxygen (Pasteur). Under certain conditions the yeast switched to an alternative process of sugar transformation, while some types of yeast always preferred the alternative approach regardless of the environment. Later it was found that cancer cells where of the latter type (Warburg).
The exact mechanisms of the metabolic shift varies between cancer strands, it seems to be more an evolutionary pressure towards more aggressive cells. To compensate for the increased cell density both vascular and metabolic changes are required, both with negative consequences for the surrounding tissue. As such changes within both respects can be used to estimate tumor aggressiveness, though which is most pronounced depends on tumor type. It is however natural to assume that a region identified as poor prognostic factor also is a possible target for intensive treatment.
An even shorter story of me
Initially studied aeronautics, though changed to electronics. Had a specialization in biocompatible surfaces, but had to extend to the field of physics. I began with analysis of city structure, though ended with analyzing the humans inside. Desired 2D for its simplicity but ended in 3D. Hunted for fish and found an island.