Senior Researcher Exchanges

The TACTIX Senior Researcher Exchanges are a core activity of the project’s mentoring programme, designed to strengthen long-term collaboration between Boğaziçi University, Fraunhofer MEVIS, and Amsterdam UMC. Within this framework, senior researchers from Boğaziçi University undertake extended research visits to leading European institutions to gain hands-on experience in advanced MRI sequence design, modelling, data processing, and clinical interpretation, while working closely with international experts. In parallel, the programme also includes four one-week reciprocal visits of senior researchers from Fraunhofer MEVIS and Amsterdam UMC to Boğaziçi University, enabling direct peer-to-peer interactions, on-site mentoring, and joint scientific discussions. Together, these two-way exchanges support the expansion of professional networks, foster collaborative work on future research projects, grant applications, and scientific publications, and contribute to building sustainable excellence in computational MRI research within the TACTIX consortium.

Completed Exchanges

Esin Öztürk Işık’s visit (14–25 July 2025) focused on learning from Fraunhofer MEVIS’s best practices in mentoring, research management, and software product development, with special emphasis on deep learning-based MRI software and large language model applications. Her visit also included participation in the gammaSTAR summer school and meetings on potential joint EU funding mechanisms and future collaboration topics.

Ahmet Ademoğlu (15–30 July 2025) explored the integration of EEG and functional ultrasound imaging through engagement with the AEGEUS project, aiming to develop expertise in multimodal imaging and signal processing for neuroimaging. He also expressed interest in initiating new interdisciplinary research groups at BU and designing a graduate-level course on functional ultrasound imaging to sustain collaboration.

Pınar S. Özbay (14–25 July 2025) concentrated on advanced MRI sequence development, particularly gradient echo-based and multi-echo fMRI sequences, as well as arterial spin labelling (ASL). Her goal was to acquire phantom data for validation, transfer these protocols to BU and Acıbadem sites, and integrate the knowledge into her teaching in the Quantitative MRI and Multimodal Brain Imaging courses.

Mehmed Özkan (July–August 2025) focused on MRI-guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technologies, including practical training, sequence design for thermal monitoring, and construction of phantoms for verification experiments. His work aimed to connect MEVIS’s imaging and gammaSTAR expertise with BU’s teaching and research infrastructure, particularly for his graduate course “Principles of MRI.”