Research Assistant: Neuroimaging Brain Abnormalities in Mood Disorders

Introduction to the topic:

Affective disorders, such as bipolar disorders, are associated with changes in both brain structure and cognitive function. In our research group, we have used MRI to obtain images from a large group of patients with affective disorders and healthy controls in order to map gray and white matter changes and abnormal neural responses during cognitive tasks.

Project details:

The research project will involve visual assessment of the quality of structural and functional MRI brain scans of patients and healthy control participants. The project may further involve contribution to the statistical analysis of the imaging data, exploration into recent neuroimaging literature, and aid in the writing of a scientific publication. Ability/willingness to work independently is required. You will spend 180 hours directly engaged in research, together with an additional 5 hours in professional workshops and co-curricular activities, during your RAship.

Selected relevant publications:

Macoveanu J, et al (2023). Early longitudinal changes in brain structure and cognitive functioning in remitted patients with recently diagnosed bipolar disorder. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.026. PMID: 37442440
Macoveanu J, et al (2023). Associations between aberrant working memory-related neural activity and cognitive impairments in somatically healthy, remitted patients with mood disorders. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723000715 PMID: 37051904
Macoveanu J, et al (2021). Hippocampal subfield morphology in monozygotic twins discordant for affective disorders. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0756-2 PMID: 32620004

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Recommended experience

It is recommended that you also undertake the DIS elective course Neuroimaging of the Disordered Brain and feel comfortable working with new computer systems and software.

Faculty

Julian Macoveanu

Faculty

Ph.D. (Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Karolinska Institute, Sweden, 2006). Ph.D. Licentiate of Engineering (Computational Biology), University of Linköping, Sweden, 2005) MSc. (Biochemistry, Stockholm University, 2002). Postdoctoral Research Associate, Danish Research Center for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR) Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre. With DIS since 2014.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Additional application required

Recommended experience

Faculty

Julian Macoveanu

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?