What is your current role on AMYPAD?
I have joined the AMYPAD project on March 2019 as a PhD student in Barcelonaβeta Brain research centre (BBRC). I had previous experiences working about protocol development in PET imaging and neuroimaging data analyses. Hence, I am involved in WP2 and WP5, where I work in image quantification and in the improvement of imaging data analysis and comparability. As a researcher, it is my first experience with a multicentre study. This is allowing me to gain a lot of experience in data management and imaging analysis, as well as being part of an international network and team effort.

What is your overall vision?
AMYPAD collects a vast variety of data across different European centres, therefore, I think it could play an important role in capturing a better image of the multiple dynamic processes underlying Alzheimer’s disease from the earliest stages. I am very glad for having this opportunity of being involved in this project, which helps me in a better understanding of challenges in Alzheimer’s disease modelling. 

What do you find most challenging about the project?
One of the main challenges that we are all facing is how to bring all the information together to make them as comparable as possible. Keeping in mind that challenges are inevitable parts of research, the collaborative efforts with the AMYPAD amazing team is allowing us to move toward finding the best solutions to meet the main objectives of the project.

Mahnaz’s PhD title: “Topographical Staging of amyloid and Tau PET imaging for preclinical AD.”
Starting: November 2019; Estimating end date: end of 2023.