Dr Schiff’s work fused his interests in physics and engineering with novel approaches to tackling global health problems in neurosurgery, such as work in Africa on hydrocephalus, neonatal sepsis, sustainable MRI imaging, brain growth and image analysis, and satellite rainfall analysis. To support such efforts, he received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award in 2015 and an NIH Director’s Transformative Award in 2018. This forms part of the decision to develop a Low-Field MRI in Uganda from scratch.

Keynote speeches from Prof Andrew Webb, a renowned physicist who is very motivated in developing low-field MRI machines in Africa and Dr Godwin Ogbole, a renowned neuroradiologist who has been working with other scientists to change the landscape of MRI science in Africa. Dr Johnes Obungoloch, a CO-PI on the CZI_SMART AFRICA Project introduced the MRI Project and MRI workshop to the attendees.

Dr Sairam Geethanath, Assistant professor of Biomedical Engineering, Ichan School of Medicine Mount Sinai, USA lectured on “Start pulse sequence programming in 15 minutes and Dr Joshua Harper discuss “what is good? Image quality or Clinical Utility“.

Dr Sairam Geethanath, opened up the day with his lecture on “inline identification of wrap-around, Gibbs and motion artifacts. After this, Mrs Chinonye Okorie gave a virtual lecture on “Understanding gradient functions and Gradient effect on Image Quality in MRI“. Dr Johnes Obungoloch gave a lecture on “The basics of MRI-Understanding the Technology“. Dr Abdulmumin Ibrahim gave a presentation on “HEU Neurodevelopment in infants“.