Joining BSMS in June 2018, Dr. Iris Asllani has worked at the Clinical Imaging Science Centre (CISC) for the past 7 years, despite the pandemic having ‘distorted her sense of time’. With a background in theoretical nuclear physics, her long-term career focus has been using imaging techniques to study brain function and metabolism. Starting with electron-microscopy during her undergraduate years, Iris eventually moved to near-field optical microscopy, finally landing on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). During her time at Columbia University, USA; Dr, Asllani spearheaded Arterial Spin labeling (ASL) MRI, a technique that tracks blood flow as it perfuses brain tissue. Slightly shifting gears, some of her recent work also includes exploring non-MRI methods and their use in capturing metabolic changes in the human body.
When asked about her progression from the field of Theoretical Nuclear Physics to the field of Imaging Sciences, Iris recounted – “I always smile when I’m asked this question because it takes me back to a pivotal moment in my career.” Dr. Asllani was working at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, USA under a Fulbright Scholarship, sponsored by the head of the Electron Microscopy Lab and the only woman among the first 30 employees at the center, Liz Cladwell. Cladwell encouraged Iris to pursue graduate studies and asked her what she wanted to do. Iris responded she wanted to apply her experience in physics and imaging to a more medical and health-related setting. Flipping through the thick course catalog for the University of Washington, USA they stumbled upon the newly established Department of Bioengineering, which turned out to be the first of its kind.
As an MRI physicist, Iris’ work is a combination of collaborating with clinicians using MRI to conduct medical research, and her focus on advancing the imaging methods themselves. “I am incredibly fortunate to collaborate with outstanding scientists on campus, such as Prof. Hugo Critchley, Dr. Alessandro Colasanti, and others, to develop advanced tools for studying brain metabolism in psychiatric disorders.” One of their projects focuses on measuring cardiac pulsatility (mechanical force of heartbeat) and its effects on the brain’s tissue mechanics. Elaborating on the same, they are also exploring how constant mechanical stretching in the brain affects its functions and metabolism, an area of research, as Iris says ‘still holds many unanswered questions’.
Dr. Asllani’s work goes beyond academic and clinical research. Starting her career as the Education Director at Peace Corps in Albania during the 90s, she talked about the advent of some of the first Americans, Barbara Cummings, Michael Honegger, Janis Sabetta, and John Lutton, following the country’s half-century-long isolation. “Michael Honegger, the Director of the Peace Corps, and I worked closely to help establish the Peace Corps in Albania and bring in the very first group of volunteers.” This particular experience has had a profound impact on her personal and professional life, acting as a driving force for her current work with the Consortium for Advancement of MRI Research and Education in Africa (CAMERA) and Smart Africa Network (SMARTA).
The observed lack of representation of African scientists and researchers from global conferences and academic discourse circles such as the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) served as one of the reasons for forming CAMERA. Tied by a shared concern, Dr. Asllani along with like-minded colleagues from Nigeria and Sub-saharan African countries, gradually gave shape to a network with several impactful initiatives for advancing neuroimaging in Africa. Both CAMERA and SMARTA have played a critical role in launching the ISMRM Africa Chapter, with their first conference in September 2023 being held in Ghana, followed by the second one in Tanzania in 2024 and this year’s conference is slated to be held in Lagos, Nigeria in July 2025.
“For anyone with the opportunity, I highly recommend attending a scientific conference in Africa. The energy, the vibrancy, and the sheer dynamism of these gatherings bring a unique dimension to the experience. There’s something about the atmosphere — the colors, the warmth, the openness — that makes networking feel more natural and organic,”
On the topic of specific focus on MRI accessibility, Iris remarked that the tangible manifestation of Quantum Mechanics is something that continues to amaze her. “I’m biased, but I can’t think of anything more extraordinary than that.” Expanding on CAMERA’s vision to progress MRI research globally, Iris talks about the development of Low-Field MRI. This cost-effective, portable scanner increases the prospects of research and clinical applications in low-resource settings globally. Discussing the progress made by BSMS in developing Low Field MRI aimed at expanding accessibility across the UK and the world, Iris suggests- “For any student interested in learning more, I highly recommend looking into the work of Prof. Andrew Webb at Leiden University, a pioneer in Low Field MRI and a collaborator with our center here at BSMS.”
Iris reminisces about meeting two students, shortly after joining Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), USA, in 2013, who volunteered for Engineering World Health (EWH) and had worked in Tanzania and Rwanda. Over the years the group continued to work in several locations, working in hospitals, helping repair equipment, and collaborating with the Biomedical Engineering Department at RIT to develop manuals for existing devices. EWH was eventually absorbed into Engineers Without Borders, further opening more opportunities for the organization. “…my goal is to bring this initiative to campus here and potentially expand it to include junior clinicians. While Covid and other challenges have slowed this effort, I hope to be able to report progress on it soon.”
Tanzania Women’s Group (Dr. Iris Asllani at the extreme left)
“I long for a time when the term ‘woman scientist’ is no longer necessary”. Reflecting on attitudes towards women in academic settings, Iris talks about the need for institutional changes, having personally encountered biased attitudes from women in senior academic positions. “It’s not about who holds the office, but about the office itself—if that makes sense. We need to change that.” The subtle behavioral changes in the way men and women are treated in professional settings (something that Iris has experienced first-hand) further impacts the work environment and contributes towards creating a disparity.
Dr. Asllani points out the reliance and inadequacy of metrics to judge diversity and the working conditions of a place. “It’s not about the number of women in the lab or on campus; it’s about how the environment makes a woman feel, even if she were the only one…it’s crucial to recognize that women are not a monolith, something I feel is often overlooked in these conversations. The expectation that we all speak with one voice is, in itself, misogynistic.”
In her advice to people considering a career in STEM fields and academia, Dr. Asllani says that while it is ‘one of the most rewarding careers one can have’, she points out that with funding becoming increasingly difficult, one needs to consider their priorities and their life when making the choice. The lack of fixed 9-to-5 shifts, while coming with its set perks, also means work never ends. “Academia is a job of the mind, which means that if you choose this path, you’ll need to be prepared for a part of you to always be working.”
Having moved to BSMS to be closer to her family in Europe, despite having her career up until 2018 based in the US, Dr. Iris Asllani’s plans seem to be a little uncertain. “While the environment has had its challenges, my experience at BSMS/University of Sussex has been deeply fulfilling, let’s hope that the global changes unfolding don’t alter that.”