Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering (Research Division)

When I decided to do my MSc in Medical Engineering & Physics, King's was the most appealing choice for me. Being ranked in the top 30 universities worldwide and with the MSc linked with the Division of Imaging Science at Guy's, King's & St Thomas' Hospitals meant offering a world-class teaching and research experience.

After finishing my MSc with distinction, I was awarded the King's Overseas Research Studentship which helped me to fulfill my greatest ambition of doing my PhD at the Division of Imaging Science at St Thomas' Hospital.

What really fascinates me about my study now is being able to work with some of the brightest brains in my field which provides an excellent research environment where you feel most supported and encouraged. Moreover, the division is extremely well resourced and facilitated with cutting-edge clinical imaging equipment which includes two PET/CT scanners, several SPECT and SPECT/CT scanners, and dedicated 1.5T and 3T MRI scanners alongside X-ray cardiac catheterisation laboratories.

After I complete my PhD I would really like to carry on my career as a clinical scientist involving in the imaging sciences research, ideally at King's.

In April 2006, I took up the post of Philip Harris Professor of Imaging Sciences as one of the first appointees of a new interdisciplinary research group. Since then the group has grown to over 80 scientists and graduate students with a background in mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics, chemistry, biology and medicine. We work together at St Thomas’ Campus using first class experimental and clinical imaging equipment.

The major direction of my research is the investigation of new MR-acquisition and reconstruction techniques for cardiovascular, interventional and molecular imaging applications. I have published several book chapters, 50 peer-reviewed papers, over 200 conference abstracts and 25 international patents. I am the principal investigator of a number of research projects funded by EPSRC, TSB and the European Framework FP7. Many of these projects are carried out in collaboration with industrial partners allowing faster translation of research results into clinical practice.

From the start of my academic career I had strong interest in interdisciplinary research. I studied electrical engineering in Berlin and did my PhD in the Division of Bio-Chemistry at University Bremen in 1996, where I worked on the medical application of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging. Afterwards, I worked for 10 years at the Philips Research Laboratories in Hamburg, where I carried out research in close collaboration with luminary clinical sites.