Disciplines:
Medical Image Processing, Neuroimaging
Digital Signal and Image Processing
Computer Graphics/Visualization
Software Development with high 2D/3D graphic content.
Application Sectors:
Medicine
Biology
Electronics
Education
Psychology
Among others

MAIN RESEARCH AREA:
My main research area is the Processing and Analysis of Medical Images, in which I lead a Medical Image Analysis Group. In it, my main research line is the Brain Tractography Analysis (Diffusion MRI). We work in the development of tools for the study and analysis of brain connectivity, using brain tractography data obtained with Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI).
This started during my postgraduate studies, at Neurospin, France, which main result was a method for the segmentation of known fiber fascicles from a multi-subject atlas (PhD thesis). Since then I’ve continued my research at Universidad de Concepción, working in collaboration with French researchers from the same center (Neurospin), mainly, Jean-François Mangin, Cyril Poupon and Josselin Houenou. The work has been getting richer little by little thanks to the collaboration of national researchers. This work has been possible thanks to the dedication and effort of many undergraduate and graduate students at Universidad de Concepción.
The studies are based on images from High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging (HARDI). For the development of algorithms, high quality databases were used, most of them acquired and preprocessed at Neurospin.
The work/papers developed use clustering and segmentation algorithms to mainly study short association fascicles.
We’ve also focused on optimizing the developped algorithms, such as the algorithm for the segmentation of brain fibers.
Another area of interest is the optimized visualization of the tracts, where we have developed applications for a interactive visualization and manipulation of the fibers.
Many studies have used the segmentation of the known long fascicles, to perform analysis in different group of subjects, finding connectivity differences, for example, in bipolar syndrome patients. These studies have been carried out by our collaborators, where in each case, there is an important group of investigators participating.
Our objective is still the development and improvement of tools for the analysis of brain connectivity, now also are focused on the development of parcellations for the study of the human connectome.

Other areas
I’m interested in the image and signal processing in general, as well as the development of scientific applications with high graphic content. These developments are made if a necessity and/or collaboration arises.
In particular, I’m interested in the development of software for cognitive stimulation, where we have developed a prototype for the stimulation of infants, and another for the evaluation and stimulation of elderlies.
Other examples of works are the processing of electronic microscopy images for the study of neural connectivity, the processing of facial tracking data for the study of facial mimics in psychology, the visualization of oceanographic data, and the development of a mobile application to improve drug adherence in older adults.
Methods for tractography-based parcellation of the cortical surface
Project Type: Regular FONDECYT #1190701Position: Head ResearcherAward Year: 2019. Ending Year: 2021. The study of the human connectome is an interesting, growing and key [...]
Neural Mechanisms of Brain Self-regulation with Brain-Machine Interfaces and Application to Addiction
Project Type: Anillo ACT 172121 Project Principal Institution: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Position: Principal Researcher Award Year: 2010 Ending Year: 2018
Development of new tools for the study of human brain connectomics
Project Type: Regular FONDECYT #1161427 Position: Head Researcher Award Year: 2016. Ending Year: 2019. This project aims to continue with the development and [...]
Transmedial psychoeducational program to improve farmacological adherence of antihypertensive treatment in seniors: Pilot project
Project Type: FONDEF ID16AM0007 Senior Thematic Two-Stage IDeA Program Principal Institution: Universidad de Concepción. Position: Researcher Award Year: 2017. Ending Year: 2018.
Interactive System for the Promotion of Language and Communication
Project Type: FONDEF ID16I10210 Two-Stage IDeA Program Main Institution: Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Associated Institution: University of Concepción. Position: Alternate Director. Award Year: 2017. Finishing Year: 2018. Director: Marcela Peña [...]
Magnetic resonance imaging technology for aging related diseases: brain, heart and vessels
Project Type: Anillo ACT 1416 Project Principal Institution: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Position: Associate Researcher Award Year: 2015. Ending Year: 2018. http://mri4agingdiseases.cl/