The Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, and the James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation, Oden Institute, have a jointly administered opening for a Post-doctoral Fellow in the area of Neurovascular mechanics derived from clinical images.
A major thrust of this project will be the development of computational models of human neurovascular system for image-based patient-specific analysis and diagnosis. The Fellow will directly interact with clinical faculty and research staff to assist in acquiring clinical images of the human neurovascular system. The applicant will also interact with Biomedical Engineering faculty on evaluating improved clinical imaging protocols. Modeling efforts will be built within the new FeNiCSX open source package with plans for extensions to machine learning modeling. The Willerson Center is housed in the world class Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences which has access to state of the art supercomputer facilities at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). The Willerson Center has a long rich history of post-doctoral training, with ample opportunity for fellowship and NIH funding as a pathway to independence
Knowledge/interest in the neurovascular function and simulation.
Working knowledge of clinical imaging modalities.
A PhD in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related fields.
Proven experience with the finite element method, and proficient in detailed low-and high-level coding and model development
The overarching goal of the James T. Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation (WCCMS) is developing computational biomechanical models for understanding heart valve and heart disease progression for developing clinical interventions, including prosthetics devices. We develop or utilize a range of unique in-vivo and in-vitro data for elucidating mechanisms that underlie the observed pathologies. Our modeling focus is the detailed incorporation of this data to provide a high level of physical and physiological realism and validation, working at the continuum-cellular, fibrous tissue, and whole organ levels. We ultimately seek to provide cardiovascular scientists and clinicians with advanced simulations for the rational development of treatments for structural heart and heart valve diseases. Such simulations can ultimately lead to reduction in development time, lowering of morbidity and mortality, reduced re-operative rates, and lessened post-operative recovery time. Moreover, the development and use of these tools in the context of patient-specific models will ultimately also allow clinicians to craft cardiovascular therapies that are optimized for the cardiovascul...ar system of individuals, with a resulting increase in success and decrease in risk adverse side effects.
