Alastair Martin, PhD

Alastair J. Martin, PhD, is Vice Chair for Capital Infrastructure in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Martin obtained his BSc in Physics from the University of British Columbia, Canada, in 1987, and he earned his MSc in Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto, Canada in 1989. He completed his PhD in Medical Physics from the University of Toronto in 1994, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Biophysics from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, in 1996.

Dr. Martin’s research is focused on applications where MR methods enhance the delivery of therapy. His research specifically targets neurosurgical and endovascular applications where MR techniques may provide significant benefits. These activities include basic science developments, animal studies, and clinical research. Dr. Martin primarily focuses his research on the development of MR guidance techniques for delivering deep brain stimulator electrodes to precise locations inside the brain. Another interest of Dr. Martin’s is the application of MR methods of endovascular procedures where he investigates safety concerns with endovascular devices within an MR system.

Dr Martin is also interested in sustainable practices in radiology, with an emphasis on power use by MR systems. This research focuses on opportunities to limit the carbon footprint of imaging systems by understanding their power needs and assuring system energy consumption is focused on periods of productive system use.

Dr. Martin provides his services to many journals as a peer-reviewer. He has published over 150 journal articles, over 200 conference abstracts and 10 book chapters.

Expertise:
Interventional magnetic resonance imaging

Specialty:
MR guidance for minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures, including deep brain stimulator implantation and drug and gene therapies; sustainable practices in Radiology

Professional Interests:
Interventional MR, endovascular MR, Parkinson's disease, deep brain stimulation, convection enhanced delivery, sustainability

Education and Training:
• Bachelor of Science: University of British Columbia, Canada - Physics
• Masters of Science: University of Toronto, Canada - Medical Biophysics
• Doctor of Philosophy: University of Toronto, Canada - Medical Biophysics
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of Western Ontario, Canada - Medical Biophysics