Alexandra Badea

Radiology

Associate Professor in Radiology

Alexandra  Badea Profile Photo
Alexandra Badea Profile Photo

Research Interests

Alzheimer's Disease, Brain Imaging, MRI, Connectivity, Multivariate Biomarkers, Image Analysis, Neurological Conditions. 

Bio

I have a joint appointment in Radiology and Neurology and my research focuses on neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. I work on imaging and analysis to provide a comprehensive characterization of the brain. MRI is particularly suitable for brain imaging, and diffusion tensor imaging is an important tool for studying brain microstructure, and the connectivity amongst gray matter regions.  

I am interested in image segmentation, morphometry and shape analysis, as well as in integrating information from MRI with genetics, and behavior. Our approaches  target: 1) phenotyping the neuroanatomy using imaging; 2) uncovering the link between structural and functional changes, the genetic bases, and environmental factors. I am interested in generating methods and tools for comprehensive phenotyping.

We use high-performance cluster computing to accelerate our image analysis. We use compressed sensing image reconstruction, and process large image arrays using deformable registration, perform segmentation based on multiple image contrasts including diffusion tensor imaging, as well as voxel, and graph analysis for connectomics.

At BIAC  my efforts focus on developing multivariate biomarkers and identifying vulnerable networks based on genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.

My enthusiasm comes from the possibility to extend from single to integrative multivariate and network based analyses to obtain a comprehensive picture of normal development and aging, stages of disease, and the effects of treatments.  I am working on multivariate image analysis and predictive modeling approaches to help better understand early biomarkers for human disease indirectly through mouse models, as well as directly in human studies. 

I am dedicated to supporting an increase in female presence in STEM fields, and love working with students. The Bass Connections teams involve undergraduate students in research, providing them the opportunity to do independent research studies and get involved with the community. These students have for example takes classes such as:

BME 394: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
BME 493: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
ECE 899: Special Readings in Electrical Engineering
NEUROSCI 493: Research Independent Study 1

Education

  • Ph.D. University of Patras (Greece), 2003

Positions

  • Associate Professor in Radiology
  • Associate Professor in Neurology
  • Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Member of the Center for Brain Imaging and Analysis

Courses Taught

  • NEUROSCI 494: Research Independent Study 2
  • MEDPHY 791: Independent Study in Medical Physics
  • EGR 393: Research Projects in Engineering
  • BRAINSOC 796T: Bass Connections in Brain & Society Research Team
  • BRAINSOC 795T: Bass Connections in Brain & Society Research Team
  • BRAINSOC 398T: Bass Connections in Brain & Society Research Team
  • BRAINSOC 398: Bass Connections in Brain and Society 4: Interdisciplinary Team Projects
  • BRAINSOC 398-1: Bass Connections in Brain and Society 4: Interdisciplinary Team Projects
  • BRAINSOC 397T: Bass Connections in Brain & Society Research Team
  • BRAINSOC 397-1: Bass Connections in Brain and Society 3: Interdisciplinary Team Projects
  • BRAINSOC 396T: Bass Connections in Brain & Society Research Team
  • BRAINSOC 396-1: Bass Connections in Brain and Society 2: Interdisciplinary Team Projects
  • BRAINSOC 395T: Bass Connections in Brain & Society Research Team
  • BRAINSOC 395: Bass Connections in Brain and Society: Interdisciplinary Team Projects
  • BRAINSOC 395-1: Bass Connections in Brain and Society: Interdisciplinary Team Projects
  • BME 791: Graduate Independent Study
  • BME 494: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
  • BME 493: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)

Publications

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