News from IQ-BRAIN Doctoral Candidates

Daniel Yzuel, DC2 within the IQ-BRAIN Doctoral Network, participated in the 2026 ISMRM Electro-Magnetic Tissue Properties (EMTP) Workshop in Annapolis as a member of the EMTP Study Group.

During the workshop, Daniel presented his research on total-field estimation using DeepSets-based neural networks through a power pitch and poster session. He also had the opportunity to discuss emerging QSM and susceptibility source-separation toolboxes directly with their developers.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to learn about the latest methods and software in the field, exchange ideas with researchers and clinicians, and better understand clinical needs when translating QSM and source-separation techniques into practice.

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Gideon attended the RIME Workshop (Reconstruction and Imaging Motion Estimation) at MICCAI 2026 in Strasbourg, France, where he presented his work, “CUPA-T2*: Covariance-Aware Uncertainty Propagation and Alignment for T2* Mapping in Accelerated MRI.” The work was presented both as a power pitch and as a poster, offering an opportunity to share the project with a broad audience and engage in detailed discussions with researchers working on related topics.The research focuses on leveraging and aligning uncertainty between the two main stages of quantitative MRI: image reconstruction and parameter fitting. By explicitly accounting for uncertainty propagation across these stages, the work aims to improve the reliability and robustness of T2* mapping in accelerated MRI settings.In addition to presenting, he attended a range of interesting talks and had valuable conversations with members of the MRI and medical imaging community. He left inspired and motivated back to Munich.

From September 30 to October 3, eight IQ-BRAIN doctoral candidates attended the ESMRMB Annual Meeting in Girona, Spain. For Bram, Aron, Guanqun, Federica, Mona, Anni, Lara and Chiara, this was their first large european MRI conference within their PhD and an opportunity to present their research, explore current developments in the field, and meet researchers from across the MRI community.

The doctoral candidates contributed to the scientific programme with posters, lightning talks and oral presentations covering a broad range of topics in image reconstruction, quantitative MRI and diffusion MRI.

Bram presented his work on accelerated 3D radial multi-echo reconstruction using a deep unrolled network, Aron on joint diffusion relaxometry of the brain using multi-echo spin-echo EPI, and Federica on combining quantitative MRI reconstruction with brain-age prediction. Guanqun and Mona complemented their posters with lightning talks. Guanqun talked about the feasibility of deep learning-based T2 mapping with partial-Fourier first-echo sampling, while Mona presented a deep learning approach for simulating prescribed brain atrophy to benchmark volumetric measurement algorithms. Anni and Lara both gave oral presentations on joint k-q space reconstruction for accelerated diffusion MRI, addressing the same reconstruction problem with different methodological approaches. Anni presented k-q-ASeDiWa, which combines kernel estimation in k-space with a neural network for correcting the estimated phase maps. Lara, in contrast, presented an approach based on an implicit neural representation that jointly models the spatial and angular dimensions of the diffusion MRI signal.

Unsurprisingly, artificial intelligence was a recurring topic throughout the meeting. Several sessions addressed the future of MRI in the age of AI, bringing together perspectives from researchers, radiologists and industry representatives.

One particularly impressive example was a poster on Agent4MR, which explored the use of large language models equipped with MR-specific skills for physics-informed sequence development. The idea of using an AI system not simply to analyse acquired images but to support the development of MRI sequences themselves offered an interesting glimpse at how AI may become integrated into increasingly technical parts of the imaging workflow.

Open science also was a hot topic at the conference with several session dedicated to it. A highlight was the open science fair. Instead of presentation, such fair brought together developers of different open-source tools and gave attendees the opportunity to speak to them directly.

For the doctoral candidates, this was useful from two perspectives: discovering tools that could support their own research and learning more about how researchers themselves can contribute to open-source development, reproducibility and standardisation within the MRI community.

Beyond the scientific content it was also a chance for the doctoral candidates to spend time together again. Between presentations and conference sessions, the group had the opportunity to explore Girona, and, fun fact but not too fun at the moment, in the last day the DCs had to face numerous mobility issues along the travel back, thanks to a Red Warning for Rain in the whole Catalonia region!

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On September 18, six doctoral candidates joined the MarBEL meeting of the Belgian MRI community, held at the University Botanical Garden in Ghent. Chiara, Emma, Lara, Deniz, Mona and Aron attended the meeting to get an update on current MRI research in Belgium and exchange ideas with researchers from different areas of the field. 

The meeting also offered a useful change of perspective for the doctoral candidates. Much of their own research is focused on methodological development. Many of the projects presented at MarBEL, in contrast, focused more strongly on applications of MRI.  

Some doctoral candidates also had the opportunity to present their own work. Chiara and Lara presented posters, while Aron contributed both with a poster and a short power pitch. This gave them the opportunity to discuss their work with researchers working on more applied and translational aspects of MRI. 

One of the highlights of the programme was a talk by Dr. Tanvia Evans on collaborative science. Rather than focusing only on the final results of a successful project, she gave a more personal account of how her research had developed over time. She discussed the different stages the project went through, the challenges that emerged along the way, and how collaboration helped to overcome some of these obstacles. This honest approach of explaining her research process was particularly relatable for researchers at an early stage of their careers. It also illustrated how collaboration can influence the direction of a project and provide ways forward when initial approaches do not work as expected. 

Another particularly interesting session explored the challenges of bringing additional measurement devices into the MRI scanner room. Combining MRI with other technologies comes with many practical constraints, from compatibility with the scanner environment to designing experimental setups that can operate reliably during measurements. The projects presented in this session showed a range of creative ways of addressing these constraints. They highlighted the practical problem-solving that often sits behind an experiment and demonstrated how technical limitations can lead to inventive solutions. 

In conclusion, the MarBEL meeting offered more than an overview of current MRI research in Belgium. It provided an opportunity to present ongoing IQ-BRAIN work, encounter researchers with different backgrounds and expertise, and see how collaboration and practical problem-solving can contribute to a research project. 

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The past week has been a particularly engaging one for all members of IQ-BRAIN, which has now reached its 19th month.

The third weekly school for the Doctoral Candidates (DCs) took place from Tuesday 2nd to Tuesday 9th June. This time, the hosting institution was the coordinating centre of the project, the University of Antwerp. The summer school was another valuable opportunity for the DCs to catch up with each other and attend a series of highly appreciated training sessions.

Moreover, on Wednesday 3rd June, the first annual project meeting was held in the beautiful city of Ghent. All beneficiaries and partners attended, and the DCs had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the Project Officer andpresent the progress achieved so far. The feedback from the supervisors was very positive, and the atmosphere throughout the day reflected a strong sense of motivation and enthusiasm for the research activities. Several abstracts and papers have already been submitted based on the work carried out by the DCs during these first months of IQ-BRAIN.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to review and redesign some secondments, better plan upcoming ones, and discuss those that have already been completed. The day concluded in a joyful atmosphere with a dinner at Jour de Fête in Ghent.

On Friday and Saturday, hands-on sessions on both clinical and preclinical MRI scanners were organised. For some participants, it was their very first time seeing an MR scanner, making the experience particularly valuable. The diversity of backgrounds among the DCs encouraged comparisons between different perspectives and expertise. The sessions were highly practical: participants were literally placed in front of the scanner console and encouraged to start running sequences themselves, making the learning process effective.

The social programme also included an excursion to a local farm, where the DCs were divided into two teams and challenged with a series of unusual games, including wheelbarrow relay races and other farm-inspired activities. The day continued with a guided visit of the surroundings. Sometimes, spending time closer to nature, away from phones and computers, is simply refreshing and allows everyone to reconnect with a more spontaneous and playful side of themselves.

Finally, the summer school concluded with a two-day poster workshop. This gave all participants the opportunity to draft an academic poster under the guidance of an expert, receiving personalised feedback and practical advice.

Productivity, fun, and new knowledge filled these intense days. For researchers whose daily work often consists of coding and developing computational models, having the opportunity to see real scanners in action and experience their practical use first-hand was particularly meaningful. The less conventional format of the training activities was greatly appreciated and provided additional motivation, allowing the DCs to directly observe real medical applications and better appreciate the value of the research they carry out every day.

Almost one year has passed since the kick-off meeting, and the doctoral candidates have already achieved significant progress. Even more importantly, the sense of community, friendship, and collaboration within the network continues to grow stronger, making IQ-BRAIN not only a successful research project but also an enriching personal experience for everyone involved.

From 8 to 14 May 2026, Daniel (DC2) attended ISMRM 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, marking his first participation in one of the leading international conferences in the field of magnetic resonance imaging. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to learn from experts in quantitative MRI and QSM research, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration for future developments within his PhD project.

During the conference, Daniel presented his first research activities through a digital poster focused on the use of DeepSets for total field estimation in Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). The event allowed him to discuss his work with researchers from different institutions and receive valuable feedback from specialists working on related topics.

Beyond the scientific sessions, ISMRM 2026 offered a broad range of talks, discussions, and networking events that encouraged interaction with colleagues and researchers from all around the world. These exchanges highlighted the collaborative and international nature of the MRI research community.

This year’s edition was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, providing not only an inspiring scientific environment but also the opportunity to experience breathtaking landscapes and discover the local surroundings together with newly met international colleagues and friends. The combination of scientific exchange and cultural experience made the conference a particularly memorable first ISMRM experience.

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From 18 to 21 March 2026, Daniel and Lara participated in Madrid es Ciencia, a large public science fair in Madrid, where they engaged with visitors of all ages and backgrounds to share their research. They were invited through Science is Wonderful!, an outreach initiative of the European Union, which brought together Spanish-speaking Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action fellows for this event.

At their booth, the two doctoral candidates introduced MRI through interactive activities, such a simple magnet experiments and 3D brain visualizations. Inline with the goals of IQ-BRAIN, the focus was the explanation and the dissemination of quantitative MRI research. Therefore, they described how quantitative approaches provide more reliable and standardized information than conventional imaging.

They also prepared games for younger visitors to illustrate how image quality affects diagnosis and how the learning process of machine learning algorithms works.

One of the most striking aspects of the event was the diversity of the audience. Visitors ranged from young children to older adults, each requiring a different approach. With younger children, the two doctoral candidates placed emphasis on visual elements and hands-on games, while conversations with teenagers and adults allowed for more in-depth discussions.

Some interactions were particularly memorable. For example, Lara and Daniel spoke with visitors who had undergone MRI scans and were interested to better understand the process, allowing them to clarify doubts about the technique. They also engaged with teenagers who were in the process of choosing their study paths; their curiosity and enthusiasm highlighted the potential positive impact of such outreach.

Beyond the outreach experience, the trip also provided opportunities for scientific exchange. Daniel and Lara connected with other exhibitors at the fair, and Lara combined the visit with a trip to a research lab in Valladolid, where she discussed related topics with a fellow researcher. Beyond the academic setting, the stay also offered a chance to enjoy Spain’s welcoming atmosphere, good weather, and excellent food.

Ina time when misinformation is widespread, engaging directly with the public not only helps to divulgate specific research topics but also promotes critical thinking and trust in science, and this initiative demonstrated the value of science communication.

Four months after the first DC meeting, eight of our candidates, affiliated with institutions in Belgium and the Netherlands, had the opportunity to participate in the local ISMRM Benelux Chapter meeting. The aim of the ISMRM Benelux Chapter is to provide a platform for MRI scientists in the region to discuss their research and to stimulate the application of MRI across the Benelux.  

Ahead of the conference, the sharing of abstracts and posters by the ISMRM organizing committee allowed the DCs to arrive well prepared. They were able to carefully select the talks to attend, choose between parallel sessions, and identify the posters most relevant to their own research interests. 

As a result, the conference proved highly productive: through both poster and oral presentations, the DCs gained valuable insight into the current state of research within universities in their respective countries, in areas that are central to their doctoral projects. This is particularly meaningful during the early phase of the PhD; a period focused primarily on learning and exploration. Moreover, the relatively small scale of the event made it easier to gain an overview of research lines in nearby universities, as well as to identify promising collaborations that could be initiated and further developed throughout the PhD journey. 

In addition, one of the featured activities for this year’s meeting included a set of interactive “Challenges”, such as a Meme Challenge, Graphical Abstract Challenge, and Clinical Unmet Needs Challenge, designed to stimulate creativity and problem-solving within the MRI community, of which our DCs are now a part. 

The day concluded with a networking aperitif followed by a dinner, which further encouraged discussions and exchanges. This social setting enabled the DCs to connect colleagues from different laboratories and crowned the already enriching day. 

For Daniel Yzuel (DC2), the conference marked an important milestone: he presented his first poster, entitled “Assessing Simple Neural Architectures for Total Field Estimation in Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping”. Daniel took part in engaging scientific discussions, and the dissemination of his first research results was met with great interest. 

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On Sunday December 14th, in an atmosphere reminiscent of Christmas, quite a few trains, planes, and buses travelling across European countries, lead the 15 Doctoral Candidates from their main institutions to Munich for the first IQ-BRAIN Winter School. 

This time, the Technische Universität München has hosted the team for his training. The first three days were covered by Essential Data Science Training, with a carousel of lessons regarding the basic Probability theory, Machine Learning and Deep Learning concepts and performance evaluation of these models. 

On Thursday and Friday, the program became even more engaging, featuring numerous presentations by different project-affiliated PIs on the latest research advances in Deep Learning and Generative AI for MR image reconstruction, analysis, and registration. On the final day, participants also had the opportunity to hear perspectives from a neuroradiologist on the role of AI and deep learning in clinical practice. 

The social side of the week was just as intense, including a visit to Munich’s Christmas markets, a lively evening at an Irish pub, and a warm exchange of gifts through a Secret Santa activity. 

Connections among the DCs are growing stronger. The WS sessions represented extremely valuable opportunities for them to discuss the similar day-to-day challenges, that each of them has started to deal with over the first months of their PhDs journey.  As it occurred during the Summer School three months earlier, this new meeting proved effective in delivering new knowledge and strengthening a collaborative environment. 

After the Christmas holidays, the IQ-BRAIN Doctoral Candidates will step into 2026 ready to turn collaboration into progress. 

The IQ-BRAIN MSCA Doctoral Network officially launched with a two-day kick-off meeting on 16th and 17th September 2025 at the University of Antwerp, followed by the first network’s summer school. For the fifteen Doctoral Candidates (DCs), it was the first opportunity to connect faces to names and gain a clearer view of the research taking place across the consortium. 

During the kick-off, partners from academia, hospitals, and industry outlined their roles, and the DCs presented their individual projects. The group’s diverse backgrounds in engineering, physics, computer science, and biomedical sciences immediately activated sharing of scientific knowledge. Sessions on research integrity, doctoral training standards, and the MSCA Supervision and Green Charter laid the groundwork for future collaborations. 

The summer school (18th–25th September) introduced DCs to open science practices and essential concepts in quantitative MRI. Lectures and hands-on sessions covered data management, MRI principles, optimisation methods, and model-based reconstruction, providing a common foundation for the project’s research activities. 

Beyond the scientific programme, the week - and especially the weekend - featured a varied social schedule, including a guided city tour, a visit to the Chocolate Nation museum, a hike outside Antwerp, an escape-room-style city exploration, and several shared evening meals. These informal moments strengthened connections within the group and encouraged intercultural exchange alongside the scientific one. 

With the conclusion of the first meetings, IQ-BRAIN now enters its active research phase. The DCs begin to work at their host institutions, supported by a growing network of peers and partners which has established during this productive first meeting. 

We are also delighted to announce that our official LinkedIn and Instagram pages are now live. Alongside the News section of our website, these channels will keep you up to date with network highlights, upcoming events, and research insights from across IQ-BRAIN:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/eJzFPA8q📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iqbrain.msca/

The IQ-BRAIN MSCA Doctoral Network has officially taken off with the signing of its consortium agreement — an important milestone marking the formal start of our collaborative research and training activities across Europe. We thank all partner institutions for their commitment and teamwork in bringing the network to life. With the agreement in place, we are now ready to welcome our PhD candidates and launch the next phase of IQ-BRAIN.

As part of our training programme, IQ-BRAIN is preparing its first Summer School on Quantitative MRI (qMRI), which will take place 22–25 September 2025 in Antwerp, Belgium. The event will combine lectures from international experts with a hands-on workshop on Unishell, Git, and Python. A limited number of places will be available for external early-career researchers, offering a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the environment of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network.

The project IQ-BRAIN (Improving QMRI By Realizing trustworthy integration of AI in Neuro-imaging) has received 4 M euro of funding under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions of the Horizon Europe programme. Starting in December 2024, IQ-BRAIN aims to enhance quantitative MRI by integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) in a trustworthy way to develop faster, improved and reliable neuro-imaging tools. With this European funding, IQ-BRAIN will attract 16 doctoral candidates for an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research & training programme in leading European academic institutes, hospitals and companies.

About IQ-BRAIN

IQ-BRAIN focusses on the need for accelerated and trustworthy AI-supported quantitative MRI (qMRI) technology for neuroimaging applications. qMRI is a relatively recent MRI tool that cannot only visualize, but also precisely measure brain features, including tissue properties. However, key barriers that limit its implementation in clinical practice remain, such as long acquisition times and a lack of trust in new AI tools for qMRI. The IQ-BRAIN project will develop faster qMRI methodology with integrated, trustworthy AI-solutions for neuro-imaging applications, significantly advancing brain research and medical imaging. Through a dedicated doctoral training programme, IQ-BRAIN will prepare the next generation of qMRI specialists trained in the different aspects of the qMRI-neuroimaging pipeline, that can bridge the gap between qMRI method development and clinical need.

About the IQ-BRAIN consortium

IQ-BRAIN will be implemented by a leading consortium of carefully selected international partners with complementary expertise and skills in both qMRI and AI research as well as in training of researchers. The project will be coordinated by Prof. Jan Sijbers of the University of Antwerp and relies on intensive collaboration between twelve beneficiaries and seven associated partners, from academia to hospitals and industry, spanning a total of six countries.

The IQ-BRAIN consortium will consist of twelve beneficiaries: University of Antwerp, Ghent University, Erasmus MC, Amsterdam UMC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Forschungszentrum Julich, Technische Universität München, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oslo University Hospital, Siemens Healthineers, Icometrix and Bruker Biospin. In addition, seven associated partners will join the consortium: King’s College London, GE Healthcare, NordicImagingLab, University Hospital Antwerp, RWTH Aachen University, University of Amsterdam and University of Oslo.