Postdoctoral Fellowship Available: Hemodynamics of vascular aging (CLOSED: see comment)

Stemming from our involvement in the NIH's ARIC and VALIDATE studies, we have begun investigating the relationship between carotid artery flow dynamics and vascular aging. The focus will be on three-dimensional (CFD) and/or one-dimensional (wave propagation) analyses as they relate to systemic cardiovascular risk factors and image-derived vascular pathology. We are seeking a talented postdoctoral fellow to help lead this project. Qualifications include:

• MD, or PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Physiology or related area
• Broad understanding of vascular physiology and hemodynamics
• Ability to communicate with clinicians and epidemiologists.
• Some experience with medical image analysis, time-series analysis, and multivariate statistics
• Background and experience in 3D and/or 1D vascular modelling preferred.
  
• Ability to travel to U.S. for meetings with ARIC and VALIDATE collaborators.
  

To apply, please email me a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest for this position; a detailed curriculum vitae; and the names and contact information of at least three references. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Abstract accepted for SLSAeu Conference: Textures

Congratulations to Dolores Steinman, whose abstract "Virtual medical representations: Integrant part of the body’s texture", has been accepted for presentation at the 6th European Meeting of the Society for Literature, Science and the Arts (Riga, 15-20 June 2010).

Aneurysms, simulations, and Rolling Stones

In a recent counterpoint to an opinion piece in the American Journal of Neuroradiology on imaging follow-up after coiling of intracranial aneurysms, intenventional neuroradiologist Jean Raymond speaks the words that every simulation jockey in our field dreads (or should dread) to hear:

"Good methodology and hard work may provide some answers to our questions, but contrary to what the Rolling Stones’ song says, time is a false friend in most research enterprises, particularly if it is retrospective (often badly planned and conducted in our young field) or when expediency is favored over accuracy, as exemplified by an expanding literature on computer simulations projecting speculations over the lifetime of individuals, to the detriment of prudent assembling of clinical evidence."

Ouch. It's unfortunate that Dr. Raymond paints with such a broad brush, but I can't say I completely disagree with his sentiments. There's good simulation work in the field of aneurysm research, but a bandwagon's a bandwagon, and it's to our detriment that some, er, less-than-good work gets published, for it only feeds clinical suspicion of all of our efforts. On the other hand, "you can't always get what you want; but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need."