1. What is your current role at CMRI?

I am a research scientist in the Department of Radiology at Children’s Mercy and a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. My work focuses on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including cortical surface modeling, quantitative imaging biomarkers, brain connectome analysis and machine learning-based approaches.

At CMRI, I work with Avner Meoded, MD, in the Advanced Neuroimaging Lab to develop a comprehensive pipeline for pediatric brain MRI processing. This pipeline integrates automated segmentation, feature extraction and predictive modeling to improve brain health evaluation, enable early detection of neurological disorders and advance our understanding of pediatric brain development. I have also conducted computational and artificial intelligence (AI) methods for neuroimaging, with a key focus on developing an AI-driven pediatric brain age prediction tool. These innovative research projects will support clinical diagnosis and interpretation of abnormal brain growth patterns, representing a significant step toward incorporating quantitative neuroimaging into routine clinical practice for individualized care.

2. What drew you to a career at CMRI?

After spending eight years as a postdoctoral researcher and faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, I wanted to continue translating cutting-edge imaging technologies into tools that make a real impact on patient care. Children’s Mercy offered the ideal opportunity to apply my expertise while collaborating with clinicians and researchers who share the same vision of improving outcomes for children. The chance to combine advanced research with real-world clinical applications is what truly inspired me to join Children’s Mercy.

3. What are your research/career goals?

My primary goal is to build a product-level software platform that automatically evaluates pediatric brain health. This tool will assist radiologists in identifying atypical brain growth and generate clear, understandable reports for patients and their families. Ultimately, I aim to bridge the gap between advanced neuroimaging research and practical clinical applications to improve diagnostic accuracy and communication in pediatric care.

4. What is your favorite thing about working at CMRI?

I love the strong commitment to innovation in pediatric health care, and its collaborative and supportive research environment at Children’s Mercy. Being part of a team that values both cutting-edge science and teamwork makes it an inspiring place to work.

5. What is on your bucket list?

I’d like to visit all the national parks in the United States!