Petra van Houdt

In 2013 I joined the group of Uulke van der Heide, where I am currently working as an associate staff scientist. My research focusses on the development and validation of quantitative MRI techniques for radiotherapy. Quantitative imaging biomarkers (QIBs) derived from MRI techniques have the potential to be used for the personalised treatment of cancer patients. For example, to predict treatment outcome or to monitor treatment response. Integrated MRI-guided radiotherapy (MRIgRT) systems, such as hybrid MRI-linear accelerators, have the unique advantage that MR images can be acquired during every treatment session. This means that high-frequency imaging of quantitative MRI becomes feasible with reduced patient burden, logistical challenges, and costs compared to extra scan sessions. A wealth of valuable data will be collected before and during treatment, creating new opportunities to advance QIB research at large.

In addition, I am involved in the open science initiative for perfusion imaging (www.osipi.org), where we try to create open access resources for perfusion imaging research, aiming to eliminate the practice of duplicate development.