Feindel Brain and Mind Seminar Series

The Feindel Brain and Mind Seminar Series will advance the vision of Dr. William Feindel (1918–2014), Former Director of the Neuro (1972–1984), to constantly bridge the clinical and research realms. The talks will highlight the latest advances and discoveries in neuropsychology, cognitive neuroscience, and neuroimaging.

Speakers will include scientists from across The Neuro, as well as colleagues and collaborators locally and from around the world. The series is intended to provide a virtual forum for scientists and trainees to continue to foster interdisciplinary exchanges on the mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment of brain and cognitive disorders.

Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract: Since roughly 2014, we have been working to design and build an MRI suitable for use in space. The design that works for the extreme low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) requirements for such a space MRI is a gradient-free MRI design that uses radio frequency (RF) methods to achieve image encoding. The principles of operation of the RF encoding MRI will be reviewed, and it is planned to show our current prototype at the lecture. In addition, for use in space, we are currently developing the MRI for use in northern Saskatchewan communities through student building projects at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) and through consultations in those northern communities. The SIIT work will be described, and its relationship to other MRI building work now being done in Uganda discussed.

Bio: Gordon Sarty has degrees in Mechanical Engineering (BScE, UNB, 1982) and Applied Math (PhD, USask, 1995). He worked as an engineer at SED Systems in Saskatoon in the 1980’s, doing mechanical design work for Space Shuttle and sounding rocket science payloads. In the late 1990’s he did a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Medical Imaging at USask and moved into a faculty position with the Department of Psychology and Health Studies in 2000. The core of his research in the first decade of this century was with fMRI. He did some astrophysics for a while before picking up the task of designing and building an MRI that was suitable for use in space. He has had significant funding from the Canadian Space Agency to realize a space MRI since 2014.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

De Grandpre Communications Centre, 3801 Rue University, Montreal, Canada