Visiting Speakers

Ivan Tkac, PhD - Assistant Professor of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota

 Feb 11, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m.

Localized proton (¹H) MR spectroscopy (MRS) has made notable progress over the last 25 years by increasing the range of detectable brain metabolites in living organisms and by improving the precision and reliability of their quantification. The major advantage of MRS is the in vivo nature, which allows to monitor the progression of neurological diseases, as well as the response to treatments. In the beginning of my talk, I will outline the basic principles of the MRS technique, explain the benefits of ultra-high magnetic fields for in vivo neurochemical quantification and discuss the possibilities and challenges in wider research and clinical applications. In the second part, I will show examples of in vivo MRS applications in animal models (brain development, neurodegenerative diseases) and in humans (neurodegeneration, brain activation)

Host: Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience Seminar Speaker Series

Megan Herting, PhD - Associate Professor, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Southern California

 May 06, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m.

Environmental pollutants that we encounter every day can have a significant impact on our health, including brain health. Of particular concern, outdoor air pollution is a prominent neurotoxicant. Ongoing brain development renders children and adolescents particularly vulnerable. In this talk, I will highlight emerging neuroimaging research showing that even relatively 'safe' levels of air pollution exposure are associated with differences in brain development. This will include findings from my research team linking geospatial air quality estimates to brain structure and function in the nationwide Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study cohort. Building upon strong existing animal toxicology evidence, these findings demonstrate how neuroimaging can help to address pressing questions in environmental neuroscience and inform policy makers to improve public health.