
Welcome to the Vascular Imaging Laboratory
Our focus is on using magnetic resonance imaging to advance the detection and management of vascular diseases, particularly those of the brain and neck. We strive to develop, apply and evaluate new imaging tools for the characterization of neurovascular disease. The Vascular Imaging Lab (VIL) is proud to be a component of the University of Calgary and to be part of the Seaman Family Magnetic Resonance Research Centre at the Foothills Medical Center, Alberta Health Services. We work closely with the Calgary Image Processing and Analysis Centre.
Currently, the VIL is active in imaging research that encompasses the neurovascular components of aging, stroke, vascular dementia, as well as brain tumours. These include projects that vary in scope and methodology, from development of new imaging technologies, to advanced post-processing and analysis strategies, to pilot human imaging studies. Outcomes of these and past studies can be seen through our collection of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals and research presentations at multiple national and international workshops and conferences. This effort occurs in an inclusive, supportive learning environment.
Priorities at the VIL include establishing and sustaining constructive partnerships and collaborations with other researchers, networks, and institutions; sustaining support from funding agencies and foundations; as well as the advanced training through research of our students, fellows and staff. Our collaborators, funders and trainees are key to the success of the program.
The University of Calgary, located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).
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News

Richard Rides for Heart
Snow might not be fully gone, but Richard Frayne is riding again! After a few years without much biking :(, he is delighted to support the 2025 Heart and Stroke Ride for Heart Campaign. The VIL is proud to be H&S supported. See link for more information and to support this worthy cause. (April 2025)

Susanne Speaks in Houston, Texas
Susanne Schmid presented her PhD work at the 2025 International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI) in Houston, TX. Title of her talk was "Quantifying White Matter Hyperintensities." (April 2025)

Natalia Graduates with MSc
Natalia Dubljevic received her MSc in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Calgary Spring Convocation. Congratulations to Natalia and good luck at Circle Cardiovascular, Inc. (June 2025)

Richard attends G7 Health Meeting
Richard Frayne participated in the G7 Health Workshop focused on the Brain Economy organized by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and their partners. (June 2025)

Abhi and Richard attend OHBM 2025
Abhi Sidhu and Richard Frayne discussing one of Abhi's posters at the 2025 OHBM Meeting in Brisbane, Australia. Great work by Abhi and a fabulous location to present. (June 2025)

Kauê Publishes work on Attention Blocks in WMH Disease
Kauê Duarte and his co-authors in Calgary, Campinas and Edmonton published their methodology for improving the accuracy of deep-learning based methods for segmenting white matter hyperintensities (WMH), a common MR finding in diseases of aging. Congratulations on another WMH segementation paper! (July 2025)

VIL Awarded Grant
Thank you to the Alzheimer's Society of Alberta and NWT for funding a project looking at novel imaging biomarkers for detecting early changes in dementia. Matching funding was provided by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. (August 2025)

Susanne has a Date for her PhD Oral Examination
Join us for Susanne's PhD Oral Examination on Wednesday 24 September 2025 in HSC G801E. Public Lecture at 13h, with Open Examination to follow at 14h. Title of her thesis is "Predictions of Periventricular Fazekas Scores on MRI: Addressing Label Noise, Interpretability and Uncertainty". (August 2025)

U-day Presents Summer Resaerch
U-day Harikay was busy over the summer working with Abhi Sidhu and Richard Frayne. He successfully presented his work entitled "Age and Sex Changes in Brain White Matter Microstructure by Corpus Callosum Segment" as a Data-Blitz and a Poster at the HBI Summer Student Research Day.(August 2025)
People
Meet the people currently working in the laboratory and our alumni
Projects
Find out more about our research activities and infrastructure.
Partners
Learn more about our training program and the funding partner that support our research activities.
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