Arit Banerjee
Worcester,MA
Summary
I am a dedicated PhD student working at the UMass Medical School Worcester and UMass Amherst, specializing in characterizing thalamic nuclear morphology for potential clinical biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. My research focuses on utilizing brain segmentation techniques and white-matter-nulled MP-RAGE imaging to accurately segment thalamic nuclei, essential for therapeutic neurosurgery. Additionally, I have experience at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign investigating auditory processing disorders, using neuroimaging techniques and assessing neurotransmitter concentrations. I have also contributed to research projects at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Columbia University Medical Center, gaining expertise in Alzheimer's disease, sensory stimulation, brain imaging, and statistical analysis.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
PhD Graduate Assistant
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Amherst, MA
08.2023 - Current
- Focusing on characterizing thalamic nuclear morphology for potential clinical biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases.
- My work emphasizes the necessity for accurate thalamic nuclei characterization due to their relevance in therapeutic neurosurgery.
- Utilizing a multi-atlas segmentation technique, I leverage white-matter-nulled MP-RAGE imaging to segment the thalamus into several nuclei.
Research Technician
Massachusetts Institute Tech
Cambridge, MA
11.2019 - 06.2021
- I have also worked on a novel therapeutic technique that can help prevent brain atrophy while improving functional connectivity, sleep, and cognition using a 40Hz sensory stimulation to induce entrainment of neural oscillations in patients with mild probable Alzheimer’s disease safely and efficiently.
- I have also studied the effect of inducing gamma oscillations using an alternative modality, namely the somatosensory system using tactile stimulation on motor function as well as molecular and cellular pathology in mouse models of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Research Technician
Columbia University Medical Center
New York, NY
07.2018 - 10.2019
- I have worked on the underlying mechanisms of memory and cognition such as white matter abnormalities and their role in vascular disease and Alzheimer’s Disease.
- I have also worked in the development of a novel algorithm for the automatic quantification and segmentation of white matter hyperintensities.
Education
Ph.D. - Neuroscience
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL08-2023
Master of Science - Neuroscience
The University of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX05-2018
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology
Vellore Institute of Technology
Vellore, India06-2016
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
University of Massachusetts At Amherst
Amherst, MASkills
- Advising students - Teaching assistant at UIUC
- Academic Writing
- Qualitative Research
- Lab Management
- Programming languages: MATLAB, Python
- Statistical Tools: R, SPSS
- Operating system: UNIX
- Neuroimaging softwares: FreeSurfer, FMRIB Software Library (FSL), SPM, ITK-Snap, MRIcron, Slicer 3D
- Brain imaging techniques: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Electroencephalography (EEG)
Affiliations
- Teaching Assistant for Anatomy and Physiology 247 under Molecular and Cellular Biology department, Spring'22, Fall'22, Spring'23 at UIUC
- Elected President of the Neuroscience Student Organization, May'23 (defunct)
Timeline
PhD Graduate Assistant
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
08.2023 - Current
Research Technician
Massachusetts Institute Tech
11.2019 - 06.2021
Research Technician
Columbia University Medical Center
07.2018 - 10.2019
Ph.D. - Neuroscience
University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Master of Science - Neuroscience
The University of Texas At Dallas
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology
Vellore Institute of Technology
Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering
University of Massachusetts At Amherst