ALAN JASANOFF, Ph.D. (PI) Associate Professor Alan initiated the laboratory’s research in “molecular fMRI,” ultrahigh resolution neuroimaging, and behavioral neuroscience. He joined the MIT faculty in 2004.

ALI BARANDOV, Ph.D. Postdoc (BE) Ali is interested in the design and development of small molecule sensors for intracellular signal transduction events.

MARIYA BARCH, Ph.D. Postdoc (BE) Mariya is developing nanoparticle-based sensors for MRI. These reporters will ultimately be used to image neurochemical signals. She has a background in chemistry and is interested in properties that affect contrast enhancement.

BENJAMIN BARTELLE, Ph.D. Postdoc (BE) Ben is developing MRI sensor proteins meant to explore the function of the brain in vivo. He has previously developed a suite of MRI reporter proteins for studies of functional and developmental genetics of the mouse.

LILI X. CAI Technical Assistant Lili works on using MRI contrast agents to image in vivo dopamine release in rodents, as well as on strategies for brain delivery of contrast agents.

MITUL DESAI, Ph.D. Postdoc (BE) Mitul studies how neural circuit dynamics give rise to aspects of brain function related to decision-making. He also works on a novel approach for high-sensitivity molecular imaging of neural signaling events.

SOUPARNO GHOSH Graduate Student (BE) Souparno is working on a project that applies protein-engineering principles to develop protein based contrast agents for studying neural activity using fMRI.

AVIAD HAI, Ph.D. Postdoc (BE) Aviad is using his knowledge in cell biology, electrophysiology and electrical engineering to develop novel MRI nanosensors for in vivo imaging of neural activity.

VIVIAN HSIEH Grad Student (ChemE) Vivian works on developing neurotransmitter-specific contrast agents based on biological molecules and nanoparticles. She applied protein bioengineering methods and bioconjugation chemistry to investigate novel contrast mechanisms and improve sensor properties.

TEHYA JOHNSON Technical Assistant Tehya is examining the capabilities of MRI sensors in vivo. She is also working on using fMRI to examine neural networks which mediate responses to affective stimuli, and how intersection and activation of these pathways influences behavior.

VICTOR LELYVELD, Ph.D. Postdoc (BE) Victor is interested in the design and development of expressible protein-based fMRI sensors.  With a background in biochemistry and nanoparticle science, Victor seeks to apply protein bioengineering principles and inorganic chemistry to the advancement of molecular fMRI technology.

YURI MATSUMOTO Graduate Student (BE) Yuri is interested in improving the properties of existing protein-based MRI contrast agents.  She uses  protein bioengineering approaches to identify molecular variants that generate optimized contrast in model systems.

SATOSHI OKADA, Ph.D. Postdoc (BE) Satoshi is interested in rational design of contrast agents based on the collaboration of nanotechnology, molecular biology, and computer science and the application of them to in vivo imaging.
UNDERGRADUATES (UROPS) Shambhu Koirala
LAB ALUMNI Yelena Gluz Elisenda Rodriguez Vargas Gil Westmeyer Tatjana Atanasijevic Alexandra Awai Matthew Colonnese Andrew Dennis Henryk Faas Ana Fiallos Taekwan Lee