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Gareth Barker

Professor Gareth Barker PhD

Professor of Magnetic Resonance Physics

Research interests

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology

Biography

I am a fellow of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and have worked on the applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to neurological and psychological disorders for over 30 years. My work focuses on the development and optimisation of quantitative MRI techniques such as relaxation time measurements, magnetisation transfer and diffusion tensor imaging, which provide numerical results that can be directly compared between individuals and over time. Recently, my interests have centred on extending these approaches to newly developed near-silent acquisition methods. I am heavily involved in supporting PhD students, chairing the committee monitoring Neuroscience students’ progress, and acting as deputy Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies at the IoPPN. I have a strong interest in research ethics and am vice-chair of the College Research Ethics Committee.

Please see my Research Staff Profile for more detail.

Key Collaborators:

  • Dr Shannon Kolind, University of British Collumbia
  • Dr Eml Ljungberg, King's College London
  • Professor Gunter Schumann, King's College London
  • Professor Mark Richardson, King's College London

Research

MRI main image
Wellcome EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering

The Centre focuses on the science and engineering of medical imaging. The UK is strong in medical imaging, with the Centre hosting the largest research group in this area in Europe.The Centre combines fundamental research in engineering, physics, mathematics, computing, and chemistry with medicine and biomedical research. The 400 inter-disciplinary scientists in the Centre are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and will deliver exceptional research.

neuron-communication-receptor-STRATA-Schizophrenia-hero
STRATA - Schizophrenia: Treatment Resistance and Therapeutic Advances

People with schizophrenia suffer from a range of symptoms including hallucinations (such as hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs) and thought disorder (thoughts not flowing in a logical way).

NESPRED-logo_final
Neurocognitive signatures predicting risk of recurrent depression (NESPRED) study

After recovering from depression, it is currently difficult to advise on the risk of future recurring episodes. The aim of this study is to find better ways to predict the risk of future depressive episodes for a particular person

Features

Successful re-launch of the PGR Student Showcase

The IoPPN PGR Student Showcase relaunched recently, attracting more than 100 attendees and featuring power pitches and poster presentations by the PhD/MD(Res)...

pgr showcase banner

Research

MRI main image
Wellcome EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering

The Centre focuses on the science and engineering of medical imaging. The UK is strong in medical imaging, with the Centre hosting the largest research group in this area in Europe.The Centre combines fundamental research in engineering, physics, mathematics, computing, and chemistry with medicine and biomedical research. The 400 inter-disciplinary scientists in the Centre are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and will deliver exceptional research.

neuron-communication-receptor-STRATA-Schizophrenia-hero
STRATA - Schizophrenia: Treatment Resistance and Therapeutic Advances

People with schizophrenia suffer from a range of symptoms including hallucinations (such as hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs) and thought disorder (thoughts not flowing in a logical way).

NESPRED-logo_final
Neurocognitive signatures predicting risk of recurrent depression (NESPRED) study

After recovering from depression, it is currently difficult to advise on the risk of future recurring episodes. The aim of this study is to find better ways to predict the risk of future depressive episodes for a particular person

Features

Successful re-launch of the PGR Student Showcase

The IoPPN PGR Student Showcase relaunched recently, attracting more than 100 attendees and featuring power pitches and poster presentations by the PhD/MD(Res)...

pgr showcase banner