Hecheng Jin Wins First Place Poster Award at International MRI Conference
Spending time in an MRI scanner can be more than just uncomfortable for some patients — it can be overwhelming. One graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh set out to tackle this issue by making detailed brain imaging more efficient and patient-friendly, and earned international recognition for her efforts.
Hecheng Jin, PhD candidate in the 7T Bioengineering Research Program (7TBRP), received the first-place poster award at the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Annual Meeting this spring for her presentation “Design and implementation of a 1H/31P dual-tuned head coil at 7T.”
Jin works with Tamer Ibrahim, professor of bioengineering at the Swanson School of Engineering, to design hardware for 7 Tesla MRI systems — an advanced imaging technique that operates at a much higher magnetic field than conventional clinical MRI.
The increased magnetic field strength of 7 Tesla MRI allows for more detailed images of the brain, helping researchers detect subtle changes that might go unnoticed with standard imaging. With higher-strength MRI, however, researchers are not only interested in the brain’s structure but are also looking to understand the brain’s metabolism — which can lead to patient discomfort during the imaging process.
“We need two types of images to see the structure and metabolic activity of the brain, so we have to use two separate setups and scan patients twice, which can take up to an extra hour just for preparation.” Jin said. “Many of our studies involve people with Alzheimer’s disease or Lewy body dementia, so this process is especially uncomfortable for them.”
At ISMRM, Jin showcased her design and implementation of a novel integrated MRI head coil capable of performing both high-resolution structural imaging and chemical phosphorus spectroscopy, which would improve patient comfort and scan efficiency by eliminating the need to reposition patients mid-exam. Jin said she was honored to receive the award, and noted that the collaborative effort of her lab helped her end up with the first place spot.
“Our goal is to fully develop an integrated coil that works for both imaging types so we can improve image quality and patient experience.” Jin said. “I think this is one of the most supportive environments I’ve ever been in. My advisor always gives me unique guidance and encouragement, and my lab mates are incredibly supportive, so I’m grateful for everyone's support in helping me succeed.”