Gary Schott
The Harpeth Hall School
Biology, AP Biology, Ecology, Environmental Issues

Victoria Morgan Ph.D. - Functional MRI 

Dr. Morgan studies functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), which is a method to localize and quantify areas of the brain used for a specific task (brain activation).  I was involved in a particular study that compared activation of the human motor cortex in 3 Tesla (T) and 7T MRI machines in normal volunteers.  With an increase in magnetic field strength, an increase in the signal to noise ratio (SNR) is expected in both structural and functional images.  The SNR is the ratio of true signal to random signals (background noise), which has an impact on image quality.  We scanned six volunteers, with various levels of success, and obtained four good data sets.  In some cases the 7T machine did not function properly.  Those four data sets yielded good data; however, we did not see a difference in the signal to noise ratio between the 3T and 7T machines.  We are not sure why the 7T machine did not function as expected.  Thus, more studies, possibly on other 7T machines, are needed. 

The curriculum I have written introduces the students to biomedical imaging with an emphasis on MRI and fMRI.  The students will learn about the different medical imaging techniques from local experts through hands on activities and video.  They will learn how to analyze images and apply what they learn to a real-world situation.  In addition, they will create an informational brochure that educates patients on the benefits of fMRI.