Renebeth B. Payod
My focus is to use diffusion MRI and MR Cytometry to understand how water moves through tissues and what this can tell us about microscopic tissue structure in the kidney and skeletal muscle. I want to build a strong foundation in medical imaging science by integrating computer simulations, MRI experiments, human/specimen imaging, and histological validation. My long-term goal is to develop non-invasive quantitative imaging methods that can detect and measure meaningful changes in tissue microstructure and physiology.
Research Information
My current research focuses on developing non-invasive quantitative MRI methods for tissue characterization with three interconnected research directions.
The first project focuses on flow characterization in the kidney. I aim to investigate MRI approaches for separating and quantifying blood flow and tubular fluid flow to provide more specific information about renal physiology and microstructure. This work will involve theoretical modeling, computer simulations, phantom validation, feasibility studies and ultimately human imaging.
The second project focuses on MR Cytometry in skeletal muscle. I aim to extend MR Cytometry to anisotropic tissues, where water diffusion and measured tissue properties depend on their direction. I will investigate skeletal-muscle microstructure through simulations, phantom experiments, specimen imaging, and histological validation to build time-dependent diffusion MRI methods on muscle fiber size and membrane permeability.
In the near future, my third research direction will focus on histology-informed MR Cytometry for quantitative tissue characterization. I aim to combine quantitative MRI measurements with their histological information to better understand the biological and microstructural features of MRI signals. I hope this approach will strengthen the validation and interpretation of MR Cytometry and contribute to a more accurate and non-invasive characterization of tissue microstructure.