BUFFALO, N.Y. – On Thursday, Sept. 7, researchers at the University at Buffalo and throughout Western New York are invited to attend a daylong imaging research symposium to learn about an extraordinary new research tool at UB.

The massive 5.5-ton Philips MR 7700, one of the most powerful AI-enabled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners available anywhere, has been installed in the Center for Biomedical Imaging (CBI) in UB’s Clinical and Translational Research Center and is now operational.

The purpose of the symposium is to inform researchers at UB and beyond about imaging capabilities on the new 3 Tesla scanner (Tesla signifies the strength of the magnet) and to make them aware of how imaging can be applied to their research.
Because the new scanner is far more powerful than previous models, it allows researchers to obtain in a few minutes the same amount of information that conventional scanning would take two hours to produce.

The complete agenda and information on registration are available on the UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute website.

A key focus of the CBI is to utilize the new scanner in studies that address disparities in underserved or underrepresented populations, as well as rare diseases in the Western New York region.

What: Local researchers at UB and beyond will learn all about the MR 7700, one of the most powerful scanners in the nation, which has been installed in the CTRC and is exclusively available for research.

Where and when: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 7 in the Clinical and Translational Research Center, 875 Ellicott St., Buffalo, 5th floor.

Best times for media: 8-10 a.m.

Who: Speakers include:

Venu Govindaraju, PhD, vice president for research and economic development.
Allison Brashear, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Neurology in the Jacobs School and director of UB’s Center for Biomedical Imaging.
Tim Murphy, MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Jacobs School and director of UB’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).
Tammie Rupnik, head of imaging, Philips North America.
Alan Huang, PhD, MR market leader, Philips North America.
The scanner will allow researchers across UB to achieve breakthroughs in understanding and treating the most complex human diseases, from multiple sclerosis to Alzheimer’s disease to traumatic brain injury and heart disease.


About University at Buffalo
The University at Buffalo is a premier, research-intensive public university, and is New York’s flagship. UB's more than 32,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 500 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities, which is composed of America's leading research universities. AAU's 71 research universities transform lives through education, research and innovation.

MRI Homepage