Download Jean-David Jutras, Ph.D.

8 February 2017
Jean-David Jutras, Ph.D.
Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Cell# 1-780-952-9080
Email: [email protected]
Education
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Sept. 2011-Dec. 2016: Ph.D. in Medical Physics. Thesis title: “Volumetric Quantitative Brain
Magnetic Resonance Imaging−Application to Cancer.” Supervisor: Dr. Nicola De Zanche.
University of Alberta, department of Oncology, Edmonton, Canada.
2011-2008: M.Sc. in Medical Physics. Thesis title: “Efficient Data Acquisition, Transmission and
Post-Processing for Quality Spiral Magnetic Resonance Imaging.1” University of Alberta,
department of Oncology, Edmonton, Canada.
2008-2003: B.Sc. Honors in Applied Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Research/Work Experience
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September 2013-August 2014: worked part-time as a Quality Assurance Assistant Physicist for
the department of Medical Physics, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada.
July 2012-April 2013: worked part-time as a Quality Assurance Assistant Physicist for the
department of Medical Physics, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada.
May 2008-August 2008: worked under the supervision of Dr. Alan Wilman in the department of
Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, doing research in Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy.
May 2007-August 2007: worked under the supervision of Dr. John Beamish in the department of
Physics, University of Alberta, doing research in low-temperature condensed matter physics.
Awards/Scholarships
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February 2015: awarded an educational stipend by the International Society of Magnetic
Resonance in Medicine (value: $220).
September 2014-August 2016: awarded a 2014 The Catherine M. Pearson Cancer Research
Graduate Studentship by the Alberta Cancer Foundation (value: $57,000).
September 2013: awarded a Queen Elizabeth II graduate scholarship by the University of Alberta
(value: $15,000).
February 2013: awarded an educational stipend by the International Society of Magnetic
Resonance in Medicine (value: $430).
September 2011: awarded a Graduate Recruitment Scholarship by the University of Alberta
(value: $10,000).
September 2011: awarded a Queen Elizabeth II graduate scholarship by the University of Alberta
(value: $15,000).
Open access at https://era.library.ualberta.ca/files/dj52w5188#.V94TECgrKM9
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April 2011: awarded a Brian and Gail Heidecker Graduate Travel Award (value: $500).
February 2011: awarded an educational stipend by International Society of Magnetic Resonance in
Medicine (value: $460).
May 2010: awarded an Alberta Advanced Education and Technology Graduate Scholarship
2009-2010 (value: $3000).
January 2010: awarded a Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 75th Anniversary Graduate Student
Award (value: $7000).
April 2007: awarded an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) from NSERC (value:
$8000, including University contribution).
November 2006: awarded The Jason Lang Scholarship for academic success in the year 2005-2006
(value: $1000).
September 2006: awarded The Dr Kenneth Newbound Memorial Scholarship in Physics (value:
$500).
September 2005: awarded the India Community Prize (value: $500).
September 2005: awarded The Jason Lang Scholarship for academic success in the year 20042005 (value: $1000).
September 2004: awarded The Jason Lang Scholarship for academic success in the year 20032004 (value: $1000).
September 2003: received the Dow Chemical Award for achieving the highest grade in Chemistry
30 (99%) in the Elk Island Public Schools System (value: $500).
August 2003: awarded the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship for high school achievement (value:
$2100).
June 2003: received a Special Merit Award by the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) for
displaying exceptional achievement (tied for 3rd place in Northern Alberta) in the National High
School Chemistry Examination.
Leadership/Volunteering
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October 2012-October 2013: I served as graduate student councilor representing the Department
of Oncology at the Graduate Student Association council meetings of the University of Alberta. This
volunteer work requires being present at every council meeting and providing positive feedback,
comments and questions concerning the council minutes.
September 2013-November 2015: I served as a representative for the department of Oncology on
the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Graduate Student Advisory Committee.
May 2016-present: I have been serving as a deacon (diaconate board member) for the Orthodox
Reformed Church of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Skills
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Proficient in: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, MATLAB, and 3D Slicer.
Some Experience with: Mathematica, SPM12 and FSL.
Courses (on-site training):
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1. Pulse Programming Course (April 2012). A 5-day course offered by Gyrotools LLC, Zurich,
Switzerland, which provides background information on the Philips MR system and
introduction to basic pulse sequence programming.
2. Research Tools and Data Handling Course (April 2012). A 4-day course offered by
Gyrotools LLC, Zurich, Switzerland, which provides background knowledge and hand-on of
several research options on Philips MR systems.(http://www.gyrotools.com/courses/gtresearch.html)
Languages: English (spoken and written), French (spoken and written).
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journals
Jutras, J.-D., K. Wachowicz, G. Gilbert, N. De Zanche. (2016) SNR Efficiency of combined bipolar
gradient echoes: Comparison of three-dimensional FLASH, MPRAGE and multiparameter mapping with
VFA-FLASH and MP2RAGE. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (Early View). DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26306
Jutras, J.-D., K. Wachowicz, N. De Zanche. (2016) Analytical corrections of banding artifacts in driven
equilibrium single pulse observation of T2 (DESPOT2). Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 76(6):17901804. DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26074
Jutras, J.-D., B.G. Fallone, N. De Zanche. (2011) Efficient data compression for distributed detection in
wireless high-density arrays. Concepts in Magnetic Resonance Part B 39B(2):64-77
Conference Proceedings/Abstracts/Posters
Jutras, J.-D., K. Wachowicz, N. De Zanche. (April 2017) SNR Efficiency of Combined Bipolar Gradient
Echoes: Theoretical Expressions and Experimental Verification. International Society of Magnetic
Resonance in Medicine 25th Annual meeting. Honolulu, Hawaii. (In Press)
Jutras, J.-D., K. Wachowicz, G. Gilbert, N. De Zanche. (April 2017) SNR Efficiency in Multi-Parameter
Mapping (PD, T1 & T2*) at 3T: Comparison of MP2RAGE and VFA-FLASH. International Society of
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 25th Annual meeting. Honolulu, Hawaii. (In Press)
Jutras, J.-D., A. D. Murtha, N. De Zanche (July 2016) Fast Quantitative MRI Acquisition and Processing
Pipeline for Radiation Treatment Planning and Simulation. Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists,
62th Annual meeting, St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Jutras, J.-D., K. Wachowicz, N. De Zanche. (May 2015) Analytical Correction of Banding Artifacts in
Driven Equilibrium Single Pulse Observation of T2 (DESPOT2). International Society of Magnetic
Resonance in Medicine 23rd Annual meeting. Toronto, Canada. p.3240
Jutras, J.-D., K. Wachowicz, B.G. Fallone, N. De Zanche. (May 2013) Complete T1, T2* and ProtonDensity Maps of Bone and Soft Tissues from UTE and Standard FLASH. International Society of
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 21st Annual meeting. Salt Lake City, USA. p.2451
Jutras, J.-D., B.G. Fallone, N. De Zanche. (May 2011) Efficient data compression for distributed
detection in wireless high-density arrays. International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 19th
Annual meeting. Montreal, Canada. p.1814
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Jutras, J.-D., C.C. Hanstock, J. J. Snyder, A. H. Wilman. (May 2009) PRESS Spectroscopy of
Glutamate: Effects of Voxel Location and Field Strength. International Society of Magnetic Resonance in
Medicine 17th Annual meeting. Honolulu, Hawaii. p.4283
Conference Oral Presentations
Jutras, J.-D., A. D. Murtha, N. De Zanche. (July 21, 2016) “Fast Quantitative MRI Acquisition and
Processing Pipeline for Radiation Treatment Planning and Simulation.” Canadian Organization of
Medical Physicists, 62th Annual meeting, St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Jutras, J.-D., N. De Zanche. (May 11, 2015) “Quantitative (M0, T1, T2* & T2) 3D structural brain MR
imaging with corrections for RF and static field inhomogeneities and motions at 3T.” Alberta Imaging
Symposium, Calgary, AB.
Jutras, J.-D., K. Wachowicz, B.G. Fallone, & N. De Zanche. (October 22, 2013) “3D Quantitative MRI:
Application to Image-Guided Radiation Therapy.” Alberta Cancer Foundation Cancer Research
Conference, Banff, AB.
Jutras, J.-D., B.G. Fallone, N. De Zanche. (June 8, 2012) Efficient Data Compression for Distributed
Detection in Wireless High-Density Arrays: A simulated Study. Alberta Imaging Symposium, Calgary,
AB.
Referees
Name: Dr. Nicola De Zanche, PhD, MCCPM, PEng
Title or Position: Associate Professor
Institution: University of Alberta
Department: Oncology
Address: 11560 University Avenue,
Edmonton
Alberta, Canada
T6G 1Z2
Phone Number: 1-780-989-8155
Email Address: [email protected]
Name: Dr. Richard Thompson, PhD
Title or Position: Associate Professor
Institution: University of Alberta
Department: Biomedical Engineering
Address: 1098 Research Transition Facility,
Edmonton
Alberta, Canada
T6G 2V2
Phone Number: 1-780-492-8665
Email Address: [email protected]
Name: Dr. B. Gino Fallone, OMRI, PhD, PPhys, FCCPM, DABMP, DABR, FAAPM, FCOMP
Title or Position: Professor/Director
Institution: University of Alberta/Cross Cancer Institute
Department: Oncology
Phone Number: 1-780-432-8750
Address: 11560 University Avenue,
Edmonton
Alberta, Canada
T6G 1Z2
Email Address: [email protected]
8 February 2017
[email protected]
Name: Dr. Richard Frayne, PhD
Title or Position: Professor/Director
Institution: University of Calgary
Department: Radiology/ Clinical Neuroscience
Address: MRG 007 Seaman Family MR Centre (Foothills Medical Centre)
1403 29 Street NW
Calgary,
Alberta, Canada
T2N 2T9
Phone Number: 1-403-944-8321
Email Address: [email protected]
Research Interests
1. Multi-Parameter Mapping and its Clinical Applications
My Ph.D. project focused especially on quantitative parametric mapping of the brain using conventional
3D MRI sequences (especially FLASH and bSSFP). Dating as far back as 1987, the Variable Flip Angle of
technique (VFA) originally proposed by Wang et al [1] enables mapping proton-density (PD) and T1 from
as few as two FLASH sequences. If multiple echoes are acquired, T2* can also be mapped
simultaneously. A magnetization transfer saturation map (MTsat) can also be obtained using a third
FLASH sequence with an MT module, as demonstrated by Weiskopf et al [2]. Finally, T2 can also be
mapped using bSSFP and the known T1. Using the phase information from the multi-echo FLASH data,
quantitative susceptibility can also be obtained simultaneously (QSM). Therefore, a total of six
parametric maps, (PD, T1, T2*, T2, MTsat and QS) can all be obtained from as few as 7 sequences, (2
FLASH, 1 MT-FLASH and 4 bSSFP). Using parallel imaging, the total scan time can be constrained to
within 30 minutes, for a typical brain-size field-of-view and 1 mm isotropic resolution.
There are many other parametric-mapping methods and pulse sequences (e.g. MR-Fingerprinting,
MP2RAGE, MOLLI, etc…), and different schools of thought exist regarding which method should be used
and why. I am particularly interested in concentrating on the methods that already offer sufficient speed
and accuracy to be implemented within the clinic and in developing new clinical applications. I am also
interested in reconciling the discrepancies in reported brain tissue T1 and T2 values across different
techniques.
While the VFA technique appears simple on the surface typical challenges include:
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Accurately correcting for RF inhomogeneity (both B1+ and B1-). This can be done using a fast B1mapping sequence or a bias-field correction algorithm (e.g. UNICORT) [3]. However, no B1
inhomogeneity correction method is perfect.
Sensitivity to motion (especially the T2* and T2 map). Inter-scan motion can be corrected
retrospectively using image registration, but intra-scan motion can only be minimized using a
prospective motion correction (PMC) system [4].
The accuracy of the T1, M0 and T2 quantification can be biased by higher-order effects such as
MT, and non-ideal RF spoiling.
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At the Cross Cancer Institute, we have started a clinical trial with a cohort of 30 primary brain tumor
patients. The patients are being scanned on a 3T scanner with the above protocol at different time
points, including a pre-treatment baseline scan (see Figure 2 and 3), 3 months (Figure 3), 6 months and 1
year after their treatment in the hope to gain further insights into how the cancer responds to the
treatment and how changes in the tumor is correlated to changes in the parameters. An important
question is whether multi-parameter mapping could be used to more accurately distinguish pseudoprogression (psPD) from true progression of brain tumors, following treatment.
As a future research avenue, the technique could be implemented on a PET-MR scanner with a
radioactive tracer, which could provide more information concerning perfusion and tumor cell
metabolism. Alternatively, an MRI contrast agent could also be added, (such as Gd-DTPA or Iron oxide
nanoparticles), to gain further insight into contrast uptake by the tumor. The technique could also be
optimized and implemented on other parts of the anatomy, such as the knee or the pelvis.
Another interesting avenue of quantitative MRI research would be to investigate the feasibility of
mapping multiple parameters (e.g. T1, T2, etc.) from 3D pulse sequences of the spin echo family (such as
3D T2w TSE, T1w TSE or FLAIR TSE sequences [5], [6]). Spin echo pulse sequences are becoming less
popular in quantitative MRI, probably because of their lower sampling efficiency and the fact that the
signal is difficult to model mathematically, making closed-form analytical solutions generally nonexistent. However, TSE sequences do carry some interesting properties that make them advantageous
over GRE sequences, notably an intrinsic robustness to static field inhomogeneity. Single-slice or multislice 2D TSE sequence (e.g. CPMG) are frequently used to map T2 but no one has yet attempted to map
multiple relaxation parameters simultaneously from 3D spin echo sequences. However, by using a
combination of different 3D TSE weightings (and their signal ratios), I believe it should be possible to
accurately estimate proton-density, T1, T2 and B1 inhomogeneity via a multi-dimensional look-up table
derived from Bloch equation simulations.
2. Synthetic CT from UTE MRI for Dose Simulation in RTP
The development of PET-MR scanners and MRI simulators for Radiation Treatment Planning (RTP) has
stirred a considerable interest in the generation of synthetic CT (sCT), (a.k.a. substitute-CT or pseudo-CT)
from MRI, in order to perform linear-attenuation corrections in PET and direct dose inhomogeneity
correction in RTP. Many different pulse sequences and classification methods have already been
developed for generating sCT from MRI. Ultra-short TE radial MR sequences are of particular interest for
generating sCT, as they can be used to estimate bone density. As part of my PhD project, I improved
upon a previous technique by Berker et al [7] to generate continuous-valued sCT using a triple-echo UTE
Dixon sequence (UTILE-Dixon). So far, the method has been quite successful in brain imaging (see Figure
2), but has encountered poor results in other parts of the anatomy, such as the pelvis. The lack of
success is owing primarily to the larger static-field inhomogeneity and susceptibility effects that tend to
worsen with the size of the field-of-view, and additional hardware limitations, such as gradient delays. A
future research avenue would be to overcome the technical challenges associated with the application
of this technique to other regions of the human anatomy (e.g. pelvis).
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Figure 1: Comparison of the actual CT and the sCT generated using (a) the Berker’s original method (MAE=158HU),
(b) the FCM1 pipeline (MAE=140HU) and (c) the FCM2 pipeline (MAE=139HU). MAE stands for “Mean Absolute
Error” in Hounsfield Units.
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Figure 2: Axial slices of the parametric maps taken through primary brain tumors in 5 patients. Note that M0 is in
percent (%), MTsat is unitless, while T1, T2 and T2* are in milliseconds (ms). The tumors are clearly defined, despite
motion artifacts being present in the M0 and T2* maps of p1 and in the T2 maps of p3 and p5.
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Figure 3: Example of a brain tumor patient scanned with an MPM protocol before the start of the radiation
therapy (baseline scan) and 3 months after the end of the treatment (about 4 months later). Significant structural
changes (anatomical shifts) and increased relaxometry in and around the tumor are clearly visible in the difference
map.
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References
[1]
H. Z. Wang, S. J. Riederer, and J. N. Lee, “Optimizing the precision in T1 relaxation estimation
using limited flip angles.,” Magn. Reson. Med., vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 399–416, 1987.
[2]
G. Helms, H. Dathe, and P. Dechent, “Modeling the influence of TR and excitation flip angle on
the Magnetization Transfer Ratio (MTR) in human brain Obtained from 3D spoiled gradient echo
MRI,” Magn. Reson. Med., vol. 64, no. 1, pp. 177–185, 2010.
[3]
N. Weiskopf, A. Lutti, G. Helms, M. Novak, J. Ashburner, and C. Hutton, “Unified segmentation
based correction of R1 brain maps for RF transmit field inhomogeneities (UNICORT).,”
Neuroimage, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 2116–24, Feb. 2011.
[4]
M. F. Callaghan, O. Josephs, M. Herbst, M. Zaitsev, N. Todd, and N. Weiskopf, “An evaluation of
prospective motion correction (PMC) for high resolution quantitative MRI,” Front. Neurosci., vol.
9, no. March, pp. 1–9, 2015.
[5]
J. Park, J. P. Mugler, W. Horger, and B. Kiefer, “Optimized T1-weighted contrast for single-slab 3D
turbo spin-echo imaging with long echo trains: Application to whole-brain imaging,” Magn.
Reson. Med., vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 982–992, 2007.
[6]
H. Lee, E.-Y. Kim, K.-S. Yang, and J. Park, “Susceptibility-resistant variable-flip-angle turbo spin
echo imaging for reliable estimation of cortical thickness: a feasibility study.,” Neuroimage, vol.
59, no. 1, pp. 377–88, Jan. 2012.
[7]
Y. Berker, J. Franke, A. Salomon, M. Palmowski, H. C. W. Donker, Y. Temur, F. M. Mottaghy, C.
Kuhl, D. Izquierdo-Garcia, Z. a Fayad, F. Kiessling, and V. Schulz, “MRI-based attenuation
correction for hybrid PET/MRI systems: a 4-class tissue segmentation technique using a
combined ultrashort-echo-time/Dixon MRI sequence.,” J. Nucl. Med., vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 796–804,
May 2012.