Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Contact

B1 Stellar-Chance Laboratories

422 Curie Blvd.

Philadelphia, PA 19104-6100

Tel:(215) 573-8482

Fax: (215) 573-2113

email: ari@mail.mmrrcc.upenn.edu

Education

B.S. 1994, Angelo State University (Physics)

Ph.D. 2000, University of Pennsylvania (Biophysics)

Work

Research Interests

Develop novel spin-lock (or T1ρ) MRI applications

Perform quantitative studies via MR relaxometry

Implement multi-nuclear & multiple-quantum-filtered MRI capability on clinical scanners via: pulse sequence development

RF coil design and construction

The goal of our research is to develop non-invasive and non-destructive MRI techniques for the study of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease. We facilitate timely clinical diagnoses by inventing and improving MRI pulse sequences and hardware. Our multi-nuclear and relaxometric techniques are routinely applied in model systems as well as in clinical research. We maintain active partnerships with faculty from Pathology, Neurology, Orthopedic Surgery and Rheumatology departments and train doctoral candidates from Biophysics and Bioengineering graduate programs at the University of Pennsylvania.

Professional Experience

2004-present: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania

2000-2004: Post-doctoral Researcher, Dept. of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania

1996-2000: Teaching Assistant, Dept. of Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania

1994-2000: Graduate Fellow, Dept. of Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania

Summer 1994: Research Assistant, Dept. of Radiology, University of Texas Medical School

Summer 1993: Intern, Dept. of Radiology, University of Texas Medical School

1992-1994: Lab Consultant, Microlab Facility, Angelo State University

Selected Publications

Borthakur A, Charagundla SR, Wheaton AJ, Reddy R. T1ρ-weighted MR imaging using a surface coil to transmit spin-lock pulses. Journal of Magnetic Resonance 2004; 167:306-316.

Borthakur A, Wheaton AJ, Gougoutas AJ, Akella SVS, Regatte RR, Charagundla SR, Reddy R. In vivo measurement of T1ρ dispersion in the human brain at 1.5T. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2004; 19:403-409.

Auerbach JD, Johannessen W, Borthakur A, Wheaton AJ, Dolinskas CA, Balderston RA, Reddy R, Elliott DM. Quantitative in vivo Assessment of Human Lumbar Disc Degeneration Using T1ρ-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging. European Spine Journal 2006; 15:338-344.

Borthakur A, Gur T, Wheaton AJ, Corbo M, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VM, Reddy R. In vivo Measurement of Plaque Burden in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2006; 24:1011-1017.

Borthakur A, Mellon E, Niyogi S, Witschey W, Kneeland JB, Reddy R. Sodium and T1ρ MRI for Molecular and Diagnostic Imaging of Articular Cartilage (Review Article). NMR in Biomedicine 2006; 19: 781–821.

Witschey WRT, Borthakur A, Elliott, MA, Mellon E, Niyogi S, Wallman DJ, Wang C, Reddy R. Artifacts in T1ρ-Weighted Imaging: Compensation for B1 and B0 Field Imperfections. Journal of Magnetic Resonance 2007; 186(1): 75-85. 44.

Wang C, Auerbach JD, Witschey WRT, Balderston RA, Reddy R, Borthakur A. Advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Assessment of Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine. Seminars in Spine Surgery 2007; 19: 65-71.

Clark CM, Davatzikos C, Borthakur A, Newberg A, Leight S, Lee VMY, Trojanowski JQ. Biomarkers for Early Detection of Alzheimer Pathology. Neurosignals 2008;16(1):11-18.

Nguyen, AM, Johannessen W, Yoder JH, Wheaton AJ, Vresilovic EJ, Borthakur A, Elliott, DM. Noninvasive quantification of human nucleus pulposus pressure using T1{rho}-weighted MRI as a biomarker of degeneration. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2008;90(4):796-802.

Borthakur A, Sochor M, Davatzikos C, Melhem ER, Trojanowski JQ, Clark CM. T1rho of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuroimage 2008;41(4):1199-205.