Medical imaging research centre launches

A Medical Imaging Research Centre has launched in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences with goals of collaboration and improving healthcare in the community.

The faculty research centre will be co-directed by Maurice Curtis, Professor of Neuroscience, Associate Professor Miriam Scadeng and Dr Beau Pontré, all  from the Department of Anatomy of Medical Imaging.

“The aim is to promote collaboration to engage researchers in a network where they find expertise, and inspiration, and where work they didn't dream could be possible can become possible,” said Professor Maurice Curtis at the official launch on 29 November.

A number of researchers from Auckland Bioengineering Institute attended the launch and will closely collaborate with the centre on research projects. Many researchers from outside the University of Auckland were also present and part of the launch.

“Ultimately the purpose of the centre is to do better for our communities tomorrow than what we can do today,” Maurice said.

The research centre will offer expertise, equipment and mentoring for researchers at the planning stages of new projects, Miriam said.

A working group led by the three co-directors is interested to hear from academic colleagues and, importantly, from the community what they would like from a centre and how best to collaborate.

“The aim of our centre is to improve help for people in the community while also doing research,” Miriam said.