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Hire Laura C.
United Kingdom
USD 30 /hr

PET Imaging & Medical Data Analysis Expert | Python, MATLAB, PMOD

Profile Summary
Subject Matter Expertise
Services
Writing Translation
Data & AI Image Processing, Image Analysis, Data Visualization, Data Processing
Work Experience

Faculteit Medische Wetenschappen/UMCG

- Present

Education

PhD in Medical Sciences

University of Groningen

- 2026

Master's in Medical Physics

Universidade do Porto

- 2021

Bachelor in Physics (Physics)

University of Coimbra

- 2019

Certifications
  • Certification details not provided.
Publications
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Motion-resolved parametric imaging derived from short dynamic [18F]FDG PET/CT scans. @article{ee4069e40bf744ffaa8335d533bd0ff3, title = "Motion-resolved parametric imaging derived from short dynamic [18F]FDG PET/CT scans.", abstract = "PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the added value of utilizing short-dynamic whole-body PET/CT scans and implementing motion correction before quantifying metabolic rate, offering more insights into physiological processes. While this approach may not be commonly adopted, addressing motion effects is crucial due to their demonstrated potential to cause significant errors in parametric imaging.METHODS: A 15-minute dynamic FDG PET acquisition protocol was utilized for four lymphoma patients undergoing therapy evaluation. Parametric imaging was obtained using a population-based input function (PBIF) derived from twelve patients with full 65-minute dynamic FDG PET acquisition. AI-based registration methods were employed to correct misalignments between both PET and ACCT and PET-to-PET. Tumour characteristics were assessed using both parametric images and standardized uptake values (SUV).RESULTS: The motion correction process significantly reduced mismatches between images without significantly altering voxel intensity values, except for SUV max. Following the alignment of the attenuation correction map with the PET frame, an increase in SUV max in FDG-avid lymph nodes was observed, indicating its susceptibility to spatial misalignments. In contrast, Patlak K i parameter was highly sensitive to misalignment across PET frames, that notably altered the Patlak slope. Upon completion of the motion correction process, the parametric representation revealed heterogeneous behaviour among lymph nodes compared to SUV images. Notably, reduced volume of elevated metabolic rate was determined in the mediastinal lymph nodes in contrast with an SUV of 5 g/ml, indicating potential perfusion or inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Motion resolved short-dynamic PET can enhance the utility and reliability of parametric imaging, an aspect often overlooked in commercial software.", author = "Alessia Artesani and \{van Sluis\}, Joyce and Laura Provid{\^e}ncia and \{van Snick\}, \{Johannes H\} and Slart, \{Riemer H J A\} and Walter Noordzij and Charalampos Tsoumpas", note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.", year = "2025", month = jul, doi = "10.1016/j.ejmp.2025.105010", language = "English", volume = "135", journal = "Physica medica-European journal of medical physics", issn = "1120-1797", publisher = "ELSEVIER SCI LTD", } . Physica medica-European journal of medical physics.
Evaluating image-derived input functions for cerebral [18F]MC225 PET studies @article{f797167ab7a54720a0178c51f1a1f400, title = "Evaluating image-derived input functions for cerebral [18F]MC225 PET studies", abstract = "Kinetic modelling of brain PET data is crucial for estimating quantitative biological parameters, traditionally requiring arterial sampling. This study evaluated whether arterial samples could be omitted to estimate the image-derived input function (IDIF) using a long axial field-of-view PET scanner. The use of internal carotid arteries (ICA) for IDIF estimation, along with venous samples for plasma-to-whole blood ratios and plasma parent fractions, was also assessed. Six healthy volunteers underwent [18F]MC225 scans with manual arterial sampling. IDIFs were derived from the aortic arch (IDIFAA) and calibrated using manual arterial samples (IDIFAA\_CAL). ICA-derived IDIF was also calibrated (IDIFCA\_CAL) and compared to IDIFAA\_CAL. In a separate group of six volunteers, venous and arterial samples were collected to evaluate plasma-to-whole blood ratios, plasma parent fractions, and IDIF calibration (IDIFCA\_CAL\_VEN). Volume of distribution (VT) of different brain regions was estimated for all IDIFs techniques, corrected for plasma-to-whole blood ratio and plasma parent fraction (IDIFAA,P, IDIFAA\_CAL,P, IDIFICA\_CAL,P and IDIFICA\_CAL\_VEN\_P). Our findings revealed discrepancies between IDIFAA and arterial samples, highlighting the importance of calibration. The differences between IDIFAA,P and IDIFAA\_CAL,P were 9.2\% for area under the curve and 4.0\% for brain VT. IDIFICA\_CAL,P showed strong agreement with IDIFA\_CAL,P, with 1.2\% VT difference. Venous sampling showed consistent agreement with arterial sampling for plasma parameters but was unreliable for IDIF calibration, leading to 39\% VT differences. This study emphasises that arterial samples are still required for IDIF calibration and reliable VT estimation for [18F]MC225 PET tracer. ICA-derived IDIF, when calibrated, provides reliable VT estimates. Venous sampling is a potential alternative for estimating plasma parameters, but it is unsuitable for IDIF calibration.", author = "\{Salvi de Souza\}, Giordana and Pascalle Mossel and Somsen, \{Joost F.\} and Laura Provid{\^e}ncia and Bartels, \{Anna L.\} and Willemsen, \{Antoon T.M.\} and Dierckx, \{Rudi A.J.O.\} and Furini, \{Cristiane R.G.\} and Lammertsma, \{Adriaan A.\} and Charalampos Tsoumpas and Gert Luurtsema", year = "2025", month = may, day = "19", doi = "10.3389/fnume.2025.1597902", language = "English", volume = "5", journal = "Frontiers in Nuclear Medicine", issn = "2673-8880", publisher = "Frontiers", } . Frontiers in Nuclear Medicine.
Long Axial Field of View PET/CT @article{54749b9f9f6043e5ac2e947c7a6bebbb, title = "Long Axial Field of View PET/CT: Technical Aspects in Cardiovascular Diseases", abstract = "Positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) plays a pivotal role in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly in the context of ischemic heart disease. Nevertheless, its application in other forms of CVD, such as infiltrative, infectious, or inflammatory conditions, remains limited. Recently, PET/CT systems with an extended axial field of view (LAFOV) have been developed, offering greater anatomical coverage and significantly enhanced PET sensitivity. These advancements enable head-to-pelvis imaging with a single bed position, and in systems with an axial field of view (FOV) of approximately 2 meters, even total body (TB) imaging is feasible in a single scan session. The application of LAFOV PET/CT in CVD presents a promising opportunity to improve systemic cardiovascular assessments and address the limitations inherent to conventional short axial field of view (SAFOV) devices. However, several technical challenges, including procedural considerations for LAFOV systems in CVD, complexities in data processing, arterial input function extraction, and artefact management, have not been fully explored. This review aims to discuss the technical aspects of LAFOV PET/CT in relation to CVD by highlighting key opportunities and challenges and examining the impact of these factors on the evaluation of most relevant CVD.", author = "Martinez-Lucio, \{Tonantzin Samara\} and Mendoza-Iba{\~n}ez, \{Oscar Isaac\} and Wanling Liu and Samaneh Mostafapour and Zekai Li and Laura Provid{\^e}ncia and \{Salvi de Souza\}, Giordana and Philipp Mohr and Dobrolinska, \{Magdalena M\} and \{van Leer\}, Bram and Tingen, \{Hendrea S A\} and \{van Sluis\}, Joyce and Charalampos Tsoumpas and Glaudemans, \{Andor W J M\} and Koopmans, \{Klaas Pieter\} and Lammertsma, \{Adriaan A\} and Slart, \{Riemer H J A\}", note = "Copyright {\textcopyright} 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.", year = "2025", month = jan, doi = "10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2024.10.009", language = "English", volume = "55", pages = "52--66", journal = "Seminars in Nuclear Medicine", issn = "0001-2998", publisher = "W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC", number = "1", } . Seminars in Nuclear Medicine.
Impact of patient motion on parametric PET imaging @article{8b3778d947094d3990462c377b24e214, title = "Impact of patient motion on parametric PET imaging", author = "Alessia Artesani and \{van Sluis\}, Joyce and \{van Snick\}, \{Johannes H\} and Laura Provid{\^e}ncia and Walter Noordzij and Charalampos Tsoumpas", year = "2024", month = jul, doi = "10.1007/s00259-024-06599-9", language = "English", volume = "51", pages = "1493–1494", journal = "European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging", issn = "1619-7070", publisher = "Springer", } . European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.
Can Internal Carotid Arteries Be Used for Noninvasive Quantification of Brain PET Studies? @article{821e977fa54f43f08359636f7856b238, title = "Can Internal Carotid Arteries Be Used for Noninvasive Quantification of Brain PET Studies?", abstract = "Because of the limited axial field of view of conventional PET scanners, the internal carotid arteries are commonly used to obtain an imagederived input function (IDIF) in quantitative brain PET. However, time- activity curves extracted from the internal carotids are prone to partialvolume effects due to the limited PET resolution. This study aimed to assess the use of the internal carotids for quantifying brain glucose metabolism before and after partial-volume correction. Methods: Dynamic [18F]FDG images were acquired on a 106-cm-long PET scanner, and quantification was performed with a 2-tissue-compartment model and Patlak analysis using an IDIF extracted from the internal carotids. An IDIF extracted from the ascending aorta was used as ground truth. Results: The internal carotid IDIF underestimated the area under the curve by 37\% compared with the ascending aorta IDIF, leading to Ki values approximately 17\% higher. After partial-volume correction, the mean relative Ki differences calculated with the ascending aorta and internal carotid IDIFs dropped to 7.5\% and 0.05\%, when using a 2-tissue-compartment model and Patlak analysis, respectively. However, microparameters (K1, k2, k3) derived from the corrected internal carotid curve differed significantly from those obtained using the ascending aorta. Conclusion: These results suggest that partial-volume-corrected internal carotids may be used to estimate Ki but not kinetic microparameters. Further validation in a larger patient cohort with more variable kinetics is needed for more definitive conclusions.", keywords = "cerebral glucose consumption, image-derived input function, kinetic modeling, partial-volume correction, PET", author = "Laura Provid\textasciicircum{}encia and \{van der Weijden\}, \{Chris W.J.\} and Philipp Mohr and \{van Sluis\}, Joyce and \{van Snick\}, \{Johannes H.\} and Slart, \{Riemer H.J.A.\} and Dierckx, \{Rudi A.J.O.\} and Lammertsma, \{Adriaan A.\} and Charalampos Tsoumpas", note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine andMolecular Imaging.", year = "2024", month = apr, day = "1", doi = "10.2967/jnumed.123.266675", language = "English", volume = "65", pages = "600--606", journal = "Journal of Nuclear Medicine", issn = "0161-5505", publisher = "SOC NUCLEAR MEDICINE INC", number = "4", } . Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Long Versus Short Axial Field of View Immuno-PET/CT @article{7f875f5f91884c6db2a3d2d9e4e28324, title = "Long Versus Short Axial Field of View Immuno-PET/CT: Semiquantitative Evaluation for 89Zr-Trastuzumab", abstract = "The purpose of this study was to quantify any differences between the SUVs of 89Zr immuno-PET scans obtained using a PET/CT system with a long axial field of view (LAFOV; Biograph Vision Quadra) compared to a PET/CT system with a short axial field of view (SAFOV; Biograph Vision) and to evaluate how LAFOV PET scan duration affects image noise and SUV metrics. Methods: Five metastatic breast cancer patients were scanned consecutively on SAFOV and LAFOV PET/CT scanners. Four additional patients were scanned using only LAFOV PET/CT. Scans on both systems lasted approximately 30 min and were acquired 4 d after injection of 37 MBq of 89Zr-trastuzumab. LAFOV list-mode data were reprocessed to obtain images acquired using shorter scan durations (15, 10, 7.5, 5, and 3 min). Volumes of interest were placed in healthy tissues, and tumors were segmented semiautomatically to compare coefficients of variation and to perform Bland-Altman analysis on SUV metrics (SUVmax, SUVpeak, and SUVmean). Results: Using 30-min images, 2 commonly used lesion SUV metrics were higher for SAFOV than for LAFOV PET (SUVmax, 16.2\% ± 13.4\%, and SUVpeak, 10.1\% ± 7.2\%), whereas the SUVmean of healthy tissues showed minimal differences (0.7\% ± 5.8\%). Coefficients of variation in the liver derived from 30-min SAFOV PET were between those of 3- and 5-min LAFOV PET. The smallest SUVmax and SUVpeak differences between SAFOV and LAFOV were found for 3-min LAFOV PET. Conclusion: LAFOV 89Zr immuno-PET showed a lower SUVmax and SUVpeak than SAFOV because of lower image noise. LAFOV PET scan duration may be reduced at the expense of increasing image noise and bias in SUV metrics. Nevertheless, SUVpeak showed only minimal bias when reducing scan duration from 30 to 10 min.", author = "Philipp Mohr and \{van Sluis\}, Joyce and Laura Provid{\^e}ncia and \{van Snick\}, \{Johannes H\} and \{Lub-de Hooge\}, \{Marjolijn N\} and Willemsen, \{Antoon T\} and Glaudemans, \{Andor W J M\} and Ronald Boellaard and Lammertsma, \{Adriaan A\} and Brouwers, \{Adrienne H\} and Charalampos Tsoumpas", note = "{\textcopyright} 2023 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.", year = "2023", month = nov, doi = "10.2967/jnumed.123.265621", language = "English", volume = "64", pages = "1815--1820", journal = "Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine", issn = "0161-5505", publisher = "SOC NUCLEAR MEDICINE INC", number = "11", } . Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine.
Current and Future Use of Long Axial Field-of-View Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scanners in Clinical Oncology @article{1b2f25d0843041a788ae8d1c8166431f, title = "Current and Future Use of Long Axial Field-of-View Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scanners in Clinical Oncology", abstract = "The latest technical development in the field of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging has been the extension of the PET axial field-of-view. As a result of the increased number of detectors, the long axial field-of-view (LAFOV) PET systems are not only characterized by a larger anatomical coverage but also by a substantially improved sensitivity, compared with conventional short axial field-of-view PET systems. In clinical practice, this innovation has led to the following optimization: (1) improved overall image quality, (2) decreased duration of PET examinations, (3) decreased amount of radioactivity administered to the patient, or (4) a combination of any of the above. In this review, novel applications of LAFOV PET in oncology are highlighted and future directions are discussed.", author = "Mostafa Roya and Samaneh Mostafapour and Philipp Mohr and Laura Provid{\^e}ncia and Zekai Li and \{van Snick\}, \{Johannes H\} and Brouwers, \{Adrienne H\} and Walter Noordzij and Willemsen, \{Antoon T M\} and Dierckx, \{Rudi A J O\} and Lammertsma, \{Adriaan A\} and Glaudemans, \{Andor W J M\} and Charalampos Tsoumpas and Slart, \{Riemer H J A\} and \{van Sluis\}, Joyce", year = "2023", month = oct, day = "27", doi = "10.3390/cancers15215173", language = "English", volume = "15", journal = "Cancers", issn = "2072-6694", publisher = "MDPI AG", number = "21", } . Cancers.