Isobel French

Summary

The Master’s degree that I have completed involves analysis with MRI, especially DTI scans, and processing with the FSL software ((MRI, FSL software, S.M. Smith, M. Jenkinson, M.W. Woolrich, C.F. Beckmann, T.E.J. Behrens, H. Johansen-Berg, P.R. Bannister, M. De Luca, I. Drobnjak, D.E. Flitney, R. Niazy, J. Saunders, J. Vickers, Y. Zhang, N. De Stefano, J.M. Brady, and P.M. Matthews. Advances in functional and structural MR image analysis and implementation as FSL. NeuroImage, 23(S1):208-19, 2004). Tractography was then conducted with DARTEL implemented in SPM12, and performed to and from the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), a structure in the lower midbrain that is affected in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD), and then to compare the results between healthy controls and PD patients. Further analysis was conducted using FWHM, TFCE and FDR. Final results revealed that the tracts connecting the PPN to and from dorsal central lobules were most affected in PD patients, correlating with motoric symptoms in PD. The research article is currently being corrected to be published under Neuroimage. 

While recruiting patients, I have also been trained to assess them fully before undergoing DBS surgery.  I have had extensive experience in caring for and assessing PD patients for cognitive deficits as well, especially in administering tests like MoCa, speech ad freezing of gait (FoG). I have also been into the operating theatre and helped assess these patients during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to evaluate their motor control and symptom alleviation under the supervision of a neurosurgeon. Other than that, I have also had the opportunity to witness how these patients undergo MRI for DBS surgery planning. 

I have also been trained to use the Neurolucida software. This software is a powerful tool for creating and analyzing realistic, meaningful, and quantifiable neuron reconstructions from microscope images. It can also perform detailed morphometric analysis of neurons, such as quantifying the number of dendrites, axons, nodes, synapses, and spines; the length, width, and volume of dendrites and axons; the area and volume of the soma; and also the complexity and extension of neurons. 

I have had limited training with biological tissue and also genetic processing as I had only done this during my undergraduate study. However, I am sure that my skills can be further honed and perfected with much practice as I pay much attention to details and consistency.

Positions

Education

Skills

Laboratory and Research Work

Apply standard statistical methods to daily laboratory results, and ensure that results are reported
only when they conform to predetermined statistical limits and criteria.
• Ensure equipment, apparatus, and other instruments are in correct operating condition.
• Ensure instruments requiring calibration or other standardization are calibrated and standardized.
• Ensure faulty equipment, instruments, and apparatus are repaired or replaced.
• Update present equipment.
• Computer-based and software utilization skills in relation to neuro-imaging (MRI, FSL software,
S.M. Smith, M. Jenkinson, M.W. Woolrich, C.F. Beckmann, T.E.J. Behrens, H. Johansen-Berg, P.R. Bannister, M. De Luca, I. Drobnjak, D.E. Flitney, R. Niazy, J. Saunders, J. Vickers, Y. Zhang, N. De Stefano, J.M. Brady, and P.M. Matthews. Advances in functional and structural MR image analysis and implementation as FSL. NeuroImage, 23(S1):208-19, 2004).
• Trained in using the Neurolucida system for analysing of histopathological tissues
• Experience in writing research papers and reviews, and publication processes
• Extensive experience in administrative and paperwork skills

Clinical Skills
• Experienced in conducting UPDRS assessment for Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients
• Experienced in recruiting subjects for clinical/ research studies and follow-up with patients

Communication And Computing Skills
• Fluent in spoken and written English and Bahasa Malaysia (Malaysia’s national language), and conversational Mandarin
• Basically good in teaching and passing on skills to others through tutoring experiences and music lessons.
• Good team player and able to work in group settings as well as an individual.
• Good proficiency in utilising Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point )
• Intermediate knowledge in utilization of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
• Intermediate knowledge in using software for neuroimaging analysis (FSL, ITK-SNAP, DTK-
TrackVis etc)
• Basic knowledge in Python and Matlab programming
• Trained in utilization of REDCap (clinical and online database builder)
• Willing to learn and work independently to achieve goals or given tasks.
• Self-motivated, creative, fast learner, efficient and possess good interpersonal and intrapersonal
skills
• Able to think critically and analytically in order to solve problems or create innovative
methodologies.
• Able to manage time and priorities efficiently.
• Good organizational and management skills
• Highly independent and self-motivated

Administrative skills

Extensive and exhaustive administrative skills especially in preparing paperwork for:

• Grants
• Procurement procedures
• Formal letter writing
• Minute writing
• Updating and maintaining offline/ online databases

Professional interests

A career in academics and research in the field of neurosciences, with main interests in the field of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathophysiology, neuroimaging analysis, systems and computational neuroscience, and molecular neuroscience.

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Contact details

New opportunities

Open to new opportunities: Yes