Dr. Festus SladeMRI Physicist | Imaging Scientist | Scientific Software Developer

MRI physics · quantitative imaging · signal processing · computational imaging · AI/ML in imaging · scientific software development · translational science

Professional Focus

Imaging Science & Technical Innovation

MRI, quantitative imaging, computational pipelines, and scientific software for advanced imaging and data analysis.

Core Strengths

MRI PhysicsQuantitative ImagingSignal ProcessingScientific ComputingSoftware DevelopmentAI/ML for ImagingData Pipelines

About

Dr. Festus Slade is an MRI physicist and imaging scientist with a strong background in molecular imaging and quantitative MRI. He has extensive experience building computational tools, imaging pipelines, and scientific software for advanced data analysis and translational imaging. Festus collaborates across academia and industry, focusing on solving technical challenges in imaging science, data analysis, and scientific computing. His work bridges technical innovation and practical application, delivering robust solutions for complex imaging and data problems.

Experience

  1. Founder CognitoDx

    2024 – Present

    Founded CognitoDx, a venture focused on innovative approaches in neurotechnology and data-driven healthcare. (Details confidential / in progress.)

  2. Postdoctoral Research Associate University of Cambridge

    2023 – Present

    Developing advanced MRI and MRS methods, quantitative imaging pipelines, and computational tools for neuroscience and translational imaging. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to solve technical challenges in imaging and data analysis.

  3. Postdoctoral Researcher University of Birmingham

    2021 – 2023

    Led technical development of molecular imaging and CEST MRI research. Built data analysis workflows and contributed to collaborative projects with industry and academic partners.

  4. BASF Collaboration (NMR Methods) BASF / University of Birmingham

    2022

    Worked with BASF on NMR method development, focusing on technical problem-solving and cross-sector collaboration.

  5. Research Exchange Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto

    2019

    Contributed to MRI sequence development and computational imaging research as part of an international research exchange.

  6. ISMRM Leadership Roles International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

    2018 – Present

    Active in technical leadership and community roles, supporting scientific exchange and technical advancement in MRI.

Projects & Technical Work

MRI Reconstruction Pipelines

Development of robust pipelines for quantitative MRI and advanced image reconstruction, including non-Cartesian and NUFFT methods.

MRIReconstructionPythonMATLABNUFFT

PETALUTE Trajectory Work

Technical work on PETALUTE trajectories for efficient k-space sampling and improved image quality in MRI.

MRITrajectory DesignSignal Processing

MR Spectroscopy Analysis Tools

Building analysis tools for MR spectroscopy data, including quantification and spectral fitting workflows.

MRSSpectroscopyPythonMATLAB

CEST MRI Research

Research and software for CEST MRI, including sequence development, data analysis, and quantitative modelling.

CEST MRISequence DevelopmentQuantitative Imaging

Scientific Computing Workflows

Design and implementation of scientific computing workflows for imaging data, including reproducible pipelines and automation.

Scientific ComputingPipelinesAutomation

Data Pipelines and Modelling

Development of data pipelines and modelling tools for quantitative biomedical imaging and translational research.

Data AnalysisModellingBiomedical Imaging

DNNKit Framework

A lightweight PyTorch framework for building, training, and documenting deep neural network experiments.

PythonPyTorchDeep LearningReproducibility
GitHub

Technical Profile

Programming Languages

MATLABPythonRC++Bash / ShellJavaScriptLaTeX

Tools and Platforms

Git / GitHubLinuxJupyterMRI reconstruction toolkitsSiemens IDEABruker MRI systemsScientific computing environments

Techniques

MRI physicsMR spectroscopyCEST MRIQuantitative MRINon-Cartesian reconstructionNUFFTSignal processingAI/ML for imagingSequence developmentModelling and simulationScientific software developmentData analysis pipelines

Domain Areas

NeuroimagingNeurodegenerationMolecular imagingMetabolic imagingQuantitative biomedical imaging

Software & Open Source

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Selected Publications

Transition metal Parashift and ParaCEST MRI agents: Current progress and challenges2024
Coordination Chemistry Reviews
F Slade, JF Collingwood, NJ Rogers
Enabling Characterisation of the NAD+ Biosynthesis Pathway via in vitro CEST MRI2022
Alzheimer's & Dementia
F Slade, D Villano, J Luo, D Longo, JF Collingwood
Adenosine-Linked CEST MRI Signatures of NAD⁺ Biosynthesis Precursors for Neurodegenerative Disease Detection2025
Alzheimer's & Dementia
FM Slade, WW Lam, JF Collingwood, G Stanisz
Insights from the Characterisation of the NAD+ Biosynthesis Pathway via in-vitro CEST MRI2025
ISMRM 2025 Proceedings
F Slade, W Lam, JF Collingwood, G Stanisz
The impact of amyloid-β and ferritin on ultra-high-field R2* and quantitative susceptibility mapping2023
ISMRM Proceedings
J Luo, J Everett, J Donnelly, F Slade, N Telling, JF Collingwood
DNNKit: A Lightweight Framework for Reproducible Deep Learning Experiments2026
Zenodo
F Slade

CV

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