Dr. Christin Sander’s research focuses on multi-modal functional brain imaging with combined MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and PET (positron emission tomography). Her main interests include (i) dynamic imaging of dopamine & glutamate neuroreceptor function through pharmacology and neuromodulation, (ii) advance multi-modal imaging techniques and translational experimental approaches and (iii) devise quantitative models of imaging signals. Her overall goal is to map molecular signaling pathways of the living brain to advance our understanding of brain disorders in psychiatry and drug addiction.
Education
PhD in Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Select Publications
1. Sander CY, Hooker JM, Catana C, Normandin MD, Alpert NM, Knudsen GM, Vanduffel W, Rosen BR, Mandeville JB. Neurovascular coupling to D2/D3 dopamine receptor occupancy using simultaneous PET/functional MRI. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Jul 2;110(27):11169-74.
2. Sander CY, Hooker JM, Catana C, Rosen BR, Mandeville JB. Imaging Agonist-Induced D2/D3 Receptor Desensitization and Internalization In Vivo with PET/fMRI. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2016 Apr;41(5):1427-36.
3. Sander CY, Mandeville JB, Wey HY, Catana C, Hooker JM, Rosen BR. Effects of flow changes on radiotracer binding: Simultaneous measurement of neuroreceptor binding and cerebral blood flow modulation. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2019 Jan;39(1):131-146.
Highlights
K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH)
Early Career Investigator Travel Award, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
CECI2 Early Career Investigator, Academy of Radiology Research
Junior Fellow, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine