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Pamela Beatriz Guevara Alvez

Full Professor

Universidad de Concepcion

Concepcion, Chile

Líneas de Investigación


Analysis of Diffusion MRI Data Biomedical Imaging Digital Signal and Image Processing Computer Graphics and Visualization Algorithm and Code Optimization Software Development

Educación

  •  Electronics Engineer, UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION. Chile, 2001
  •  Engineering Science, UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION. Chile, 1999
  •  Medical Imaging, Universite Paris Sud. Francia, 2007
  •  Physics - Medical imaging, Universite Paris Sud. Francia, 2011

Experiencia Académica

  •   Instructor Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

    Engineering

    Concepcion, Chile

    2006 - 2012

  •   Assistant Professor Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

    Engineering

    Concepcion, Chile

    2012 - 2017

  •   Associate Professor Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

    Engineering

    Concepcion, Chile

    2017 - 2021

  •   Full Professor Full Time

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

    Engineering

    Concepcion, Chile

    2022 - A la fecha

Experiencia Profesional

  •   Research Assistant in FONDEF project D98I1054 Full Time

    Universidad de Concepcion

    Concepcion, Chile

    2000 - 2001

  •   Software Engineer Full Time

    Motorola, Global Software Group

    Valparaiso, Chile

    2002 - 2004

  •   Research Assistant in FONDEF project D00I1143 Full Time

    Universidad Católica de la Santisima Concepcion / Universidad de Concepcion

    Concepcion, Chile

    2001 - 2002

  •   Research Assistant in FONDEF project D04I1206 Part Time

    Universidad de Concepcion

    Concepcion, Chile

    2005 - 2006

Formación de Capital Humano


During the last 12 years the investigator has been focused on the training of students following her main research lines: Diffusion MRI data analysis, Biomedical Imaging, Digital Signal, and Image Processing, Computer Graphics and Visualization, Algorithm and Code Optimization, Software Development. The main research work is related to the processing of Diffusion MRI data for the study of brain anatomical connectivity. A wider goal is the integration of these research lines for the development of high-performance tools for the analysis and visualization of complex data.
Another R&D line is the development of software biomedical applications, in particular, the cognitive stimulation of infants. A recent line is focused on the development of virtual reality and augmented reality applications for education.

Undergraduate theses direction:

As (Assistant/Associate/Full) Professor at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Concepción, she has directed more than 80 undergraduate theses (Biomedical Engineering (BE), Electronics Engineering (EE), and Informatics Engineering (IE)), related to the main research areas mentioned above. The main subjects are:

- "Development of a virtual reality application for the learning of neurosurgical approaches" (BE)
- "Inter-subject fiber clustering based on an autoencoder and HDBSCAN" (IE)
- “Software for the support of reading comprehension” (IE)
- “Development of a mobile application for infant stimulation and language learning” (BE)
- “Development of an application for cognitive evaluation and stimulation for the elderly” (BE)
- “Study of short association white matter fibers using clustering methods” (BE)
- “Development of an optimized tool for a high quality visualization of white matter fibers fusing GLSL” (EE)
- “Development of movement tracking processing tool for kinesiotherapy studies” (BE)
- “Development of an automatic tool for the segmentation of short association white matter fibers” (BE)
- “Parcellation of the human brain cortex based on connectivity calculated from diffusion MRI” (BE)
- “Development of a tool for the interactive manipulation of complex fiber datasets calculated from diffusion MRI” (EE)
- “Filtering and 3D interactive visualization of brain fibers calculated from diffusion MRI” (BE).
- “Registration of ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance images for neuronavigation applications” (BE).
- “Semi-automatic extraction of the trigeminal cave on Magnetic Resonance images” (BE).
- “Calculation and optimization of the diffusion tensor from diffusion MRI” (BE).
- “Study of the variability of short brain association bundles using diffusion MRI” (EE).
- “Optimization of an algorithm of white matter fiber classification based on a multi-subject bundle atlas” (BE, co-director).

Courses:

The investigator has been also dedicated to teaching different undergraduate courses closely related to the proposed developments: “Object-Oriented Programming”, “Programming Laboratory”, “Algorithms and Programming Languages”, “Digital Image Processing”, “Digital Signal Processing”, “Computer Graphics ", "Visualization” and “Scientific Python” and "Medical Image Analysis".

Between 2001 and 2005 she collaborated as a teaching assistant in the graduate courses: “Fundamentals of Computer Graphics”, “Advances in Computer Visualization” and “Object-Oriented Programming for Economy applications”.

In 2013, she designed and taught the course “Scientific Python” for undergraduate and graduate students. This course aims to give the knowledge for the design and implementation of efficient and interactive solutions for scientific and engineering problems using the Python language. The focus is on the efficient development of computational solutions, with the integration of scientific computing modules, 2D and 3D visualization, user interface, and a number of other tools depending on the application area. It integrates concepts such as object-oriented programming and optimization, for efficient implementation of algorithms. The course has a strong emphasis on scientific computing, starting with the optimized use of matrices and tools for the efficient management of information. We study various areas of analysis, especially digital signal and image processing, and information manipulation and visualization.

In 2017, she designed and taught the course “Medical Image Analysis” for graduate students. This course aims to give basic knowledge of the state-of-the-art techniques and software used in the biomedical community, mainly in the neuroimaging area. Software such as Freesurfer, DSI-Studio, and Brainvisa/Anatomist are used, combined with tools and new developments in Python and MATLAB.

In 2019, she designed and taught the course “Seminar on Medical Signal and Image Analysis” for graduate students. This course aims to perform the study and application of state-of-the-art methods in the area of Medical Signal and Image Analysis.

Master theses direction (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Concepción):

- "Parcellation of the cortical surface based on a diffusion-based white matter atlas" (M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering)
- "Short white matter fiber identification based on hierarchical clustering, using dMRI data" (M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering)
- “Development of a method for the semi-automatic segmentation of neuron processes based on High Resolution Microscopy” (M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering)
- “Optimization of an automatic white matter bundle segmentation tool for interactive applications” (co-director) (M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering)
- "Efficient method for brain fiber clustering based on point distribution" (M.Sc. in Computer Science)
- "Siting and sizing of Energy Storage Systems for congestion control in long-term planning" (M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering)
- "Support for the diagnosis of depression using EEG signal analysis and automated learning tools" (M.Sc. in Computer Science)

PhD theses direction (Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción)

- "Algorithms and methods for the study of brain connectivity based on MRI" (Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering)
- "Study of superficial white matter fibers in data from the Human Connectome Project" (Ph.D. in Computer Science)
- "Modeling of the states from the dynamics of resting-state brain networks" (Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering)


Difusión y Transferencia


Most of the recent developments have not yet reached the transfer stage. Therefore, the main activities have been focused on the dissemination of the research areas and projects.

The investigator presented the following talks:
- “Study of human brain anatomical connectivity using DW-MRI”, to graduate students of Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Concepción, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile. (14/11/2012.)
- “Study of human brain anatomical connectivity using DW-MRI”, to graduate and undergraduate students of the Electrical Department, Engineering Faculty, University of Concepción, Chile. (15/11/2012.)
- “Study of human brain anatomical connectivity using DW-MRI”, to undergraduate students of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Department, Engineering Faculty, University of Concepción, Chile. (19/03/2013.)
- “Magnetic Resonance: principles and applications to brain images”, to master students of Computer Sciences Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Católica del Maule, Chile. (7/09/2013).
- Organization of the Workshop “Brain Dynamics, from the neuron to the skill”, University of Concepción, Chile. (2014)
- Organization of the Workshop “Advances in MRI techniques for the study of brain pathologies and disorders”, University of Concepción, Chile. (2015)
- Organization of the Workshop “Diffusion MRI, processing examples and applications", University of Concepción, Chile. (2015).
- Organization of the Workshop "Workshop on Biomedical Imaging: Research and clinical applications", University of Concepción, Chile. (2017).
- Organization of the "IEEE Summer School on Biomedical Signal and Image Processing - Chile 2020", University of Concepción, Chile. (2020).


Premios y Distinciones

  •   Premio Facultad de Ingeniería

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

    Chile, 2001

    Academic excellence award.

  •   Premio Universidad de Concepción

    UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

    Chile, 2001

    Best student of the Electronics Engineer promotion.

  •   PhD graduation with maximum distinction

    UNIVERSITE PARIS SUD - PARIS XI

    Francia, 2011

    PhD in Physics (Medical Imaging), graduation with maximum distinction.

  •   Master graduation with maximum distinction

    UNIVERSITE PARIS SUD - PARIS XI

    Francia, 2007

    Master on medical imaging. Graduation with maximum distinction.

  •   Best Paper of III Chilean Workshop on Pattern Recognition

    Chilean Association for Pattern Recognition

    Chile, 2011

    Best paper of III Chilean Workshop on Pattern Recognition. Title "Segmentation of short association bundles in massive tractography datasets using a multi-subject bundle atlas."

  •   Beca “Presidente de la República”

    MIDEPLAN

    Chile, 2006

    Granted to perform graduate studies in France in Biomedical Engineering area. (Finally the fellow relinquished the fellowship due to another grant).

  •   Beca de “Doctorado y Master 2 Investigación”

    COMISION NACIONAL DE INVESTIGACION CIENTIFICA Y TECNOLOGICA

    Chile, 2006

    Granted for graduate studies (Master and PhD) in France, in the Biomedical Engineering area (4 years).

  •   Beca complementaria “Region Île-de-France”

    Consejo Regional de la Región Île-de-France

    Chile, 2008

    “Region Île-de-France” complementary grant, for PhD Thesis development in the neuroscience area (3 years).


 

Article (26)

Efficient Estimation of Time-Dependent Brain Functional Connectivity Using Anatomical Connectivity Constraints
Disruption of Conscious Access in Psychosis Is Associated with Altered Structural Brain Connectivity
Automatic group-wise whole-brain short association fiber bundle labeling based on clustering and cortical surface information
FFClust: Fast fiber clustering for large tractography datasets for a detailed study of brain connectivity
From Coarse to Fine-Grained Parcellation of the Cortical Surface Using a Fiber-Bundle Atlas
GeoSP: A parallel method for a cortical surface parcellation based on geodesic distance
Inter-Subject Clustering of Brain Fibers from Whole-Brain Tractography
CORTICAL SURFACE PARCELLATION BASED ON GRAPH REPRESENTATION OF SHORT FIBER BUNDLE CONNECTIONS
Increased and Decreased Superficial White Matter Structural Connectivity in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
PARALLEL OPTIMIZATION OF FIBER BUNDLE SEGMENTATION FOR MASSIVE TRACTOGRAPHY DATASETS
Local structural connectivity is associated with social cognition in autism spectrum disorder
Clustring of Whole-Brain White Matter Short Association Bundles Using HARDI Data
Fast Automatic Segmentation of White Matter Streamlines Based on a Multi-Subject Bundle Atlas
Reproducibility of superficial white matter tracts using diffusion-weighted imaging tractography
Shape analysis of the cingulum, uncinate and arcuate fasciculi in patients with bipolar disorder
Childhood trauma and the limbic network: A multimodal MRI study in patients with bipolar disorder and controls
Similar white matter but opposite grey matter changes in schizophrenia and high-functioning autism
Spatial normalization of brain images and beyond
Altered structural connectivity of cortico-striato-pallido-thalamic networks in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
An Example-Based Multi-Atlas Approach to Automatic Labeling of White Matter Tracts
Organising white matter in a brain without corpus callosum fibres
A Multicenter Tractography Study of Deep White Matter Tracts in Bipolar I Disorder Psychotic Features and Interhemispheric Disconnectivity
Mapping Cortico-Striatal Connectivity onto the Cortical Surface: A New Tractography-Based Approach to Study Huntington Disease
The CONNECT project: Combining macro- and micro-structure
Automatic fiber bundle segmentation in massive tractography datasets using a multi-subject bundle atlas
Robust clustering of massive tractography datasets

Abstract (3)

TRANSMEDIA PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO IMPROVE PHARMACOLOGICAL ADHERENCE TO ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE
ALTERATIONS IN SUPERFICIAL WHITE MATTER IN THE FRONTAL CORTEX IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A DWI STUDY USING A NOVEL ATLAS
A MULTICENTER TRACTOGRAPHY STUDY OF STRUCTURAL CONNECTIVITY IN BIPOLAR DISORDER AND EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTIC FEATURES

ConferencePaper (25)

Interactive System for Language and Communication Stimulation Directed to Young Children
The effect of the number of fibers in tractography reconstruction of white matter bundles
Creation of a whole brain short association bundle atlas using a hybrid approach
Short association bundle atlas based on inter-subject clustering from HARDI data
A semi-automatic tool for the connectivity tracking of neuronal processes acquired using electron microscopy
Automatic clustering of short association white matter fibers from HARDI tractography datasets
Automatic segmentation of short association bundles using a new multi-subject atlas of the left hemisphere fronto-parietal brain connections
IFiber: A brain tract visualizer for Android devices
Automatic segmentation of the short association fibers of the fronto-parietal and insula brain regions
Clustering of short association white matter fibers calculated from diffusion MRI
Interactive segmentation of white-matter fibers using a multi-subject atlas
Using tractography to infer Basal ganglia's functional subterritories distribution change in Huntington disease
A multicenter tractography study of white matter integrity in bipolar disorder and effects of psychotic features
GPU-Based acceleration of an automatic white matter segmentation algorithm using CUDA
Study of the variability of short association bundles on a HARDI database
A HARDI multi-subject bundle atlas of known deep white matter and short superficial white matter tracts.
Joint T1 and Brain Fiber Log-Demons Registration Using Currents to Model Geometry
Joint T1 and brain fiber diffeomorphic registration using the demons
Segmentation of short association bundles in massive tractography datasets using a multi-subject bundle atlas
Analysis of the striato-thalamo-cortical connectivity on the cortical surface to infer biomarkers of Huntington's disease.
Inference of a HARDI fiber bundle atlas using a two-level clustering strategy.
Inference of a fiber bundle atlas using a two-level clustering strategy
Tractography-Based Parcellation of the Cortex using a Spatially-Informed Dimension Reduction of the Connectivity Matrix
Connectivity-based parcellation of the cortical surface using q-ball imaging
The structural paradigm when analyzing diffusion data.

ConferencePoster (4)

Basal ganglia connectivity inferred from tractography: dealing with direct and indirect connections.
Accurate tractography propagation mask using T1-weighted data rather than FA.
Inter-subject Connectivity-based Parcellation of a Patch of Cerebral Cortex. In Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention
Connectivity-based parcellation of the cortical surface using q-ball diffusion imaging.

Proyecto (13)

Reading in the classroom for pedagogy students with reading comprehension problems. Reading intervention program and its effect on the generation of inferences: Evidence from electrophysiological and eye movement techniques
Haptic glove for the rehabilitation of patients with motor sequelae in the upper extremity
Sistema Interactivo de Promoción del Lenguaje y la Comunicación (SIPLYC)
ADVANCED CENTER FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
Methods for tractography-based parcellation of the cortical surface
Adquisición de un equipo de electrofisiología portátil con sistema Wireless para el estudio de metodologías didácticas innovadoras y su influencia en el aprendizaje a nivel neurocognitivo
Neural Mechanisms of Brain Self-regulation with Brain-Machine Interfaces and Application to Addiction.
Transmedial psycho-educational program to improve pharmacological adherence of antihypertensive treatment in the elderly
Sistema Interactivo de Promoción del Lenguaje y la Comunicación (SIPLYC)
Development of new tools for the study of human brain connectomics
Magnetic Resonance Imaging technology for aging related diseases=> brain, heart and vessels.
Development and optimization of toolsfor the study of human brain anatomical connectivity using high angular resolution diffusion MRI
SIEL=> Sistema de estimulación del lactante

Review (1)

Superficial white matter: A review on the dMRI analysis methods and applications
64
Pamela Guevara

Full Professor

Electrical Engineering

Universidad de Concepcion

Concepcion, Chile

3
Miguel Figueroa

Profesor Titular

Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica

Universidad de Concepción

Concepción, Chile

2
Cecilia Hernández

Profesor Asistente

UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

Concepción, Chile

1
Ignacio Osorio

Asistente de Investigacion

Biomedica

Universidad de Concepción

Concepcion, Chile

1
Danilo Bonometti

Ingeniero de Desarrollo

Independiente

Concepción, Chile

1
Tabita Moreno

Profesor Asociado

Comunicación Social

Universidad de Concepción

Concepción, Chile

1
Montserrat Victoriano

Profesor Asociado

UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

Concepción, Chile

1
David Araya

Profesor Investigador

Informatica

Universidad Andrés Bello

Viña del Mar, Chile

1
Juan Tapia

Profesor Asociado

UNIVERSIDAD DE TALCA

Talca, Chile

1
WAEL EL-DEREDY

Profesor Titular

Ingenieria Biomedica

UNIVERSIDAD DE VALPARAISO

Valparaiso, Chile