Coordinator, Developer, and Lecturer
Animal Imaging Workshop – Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland.
Dr. Zachary H. Houston
Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Queensland
Teaching
Currrent Teaching
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Present2016
This workshop covers a range of important aspects of animal imaging, through a theoretical component and hands-on session. It was developed to give materials chemists the knowledge to thoughtfully design their own imaging experiments for their own research.
Over 1-2 days, participants get the opportunity to focus their time on imaging that will help them with their research projects. The workshop covers the theory, practical, and analytical information and hands-on practice needed for doing the imaging experiments with the aim of preparing the participant for future imaging studies.
The workshop has evolved over the years. Click on the tabs below to see the program and practical information for each year.
In the first year of this workshop the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology (CBNS) and the Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) co-sponsored a full-day imaging workshop. The workshop was organised by Dr. Zachary H. Houston and Professor Kristofer J. Thureht, and utilised the special expertise of Dr. Gary Cowin for PET-MRI, Dr. Karine Mardon for PET-CT, and Nicholas Westra van Holthe and Anna Gemmel for MSOT from the CAI. The event covered all aspects that are important to designing a small animal imaging experiment from theory to practical demonstrations. Program details about the day can be found here.
Topics included:
- Optical Imaging
- Multi-Spectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT)
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Animal Models
- Ethics
- Materials Design
Thanks to the entire Thurecht group for putting it all together and for hosting an amazing BBQ as well at the end of the day. Check out the pictures from the event here.
In the second year of the workshop, two streams were available to participants, in a one-day workshop. The details of each are described below.
Introduction to Animal Imaging: (Stream 1)
The introduction course will start with talks by the experts in PET-CT, MRI, optical, and MSOT imaging, as well as information about animal models, ethics, and other experimental considerations. In the afternoon, live animal demonstrations using the major modalities were done.
- Introductory Stream Program
- Introductory Stream Practical Sheet
Advanced Imaging and Analysis: (Stream 2)
The advanced course will start with an animal imaging experiment in the morning using PET-CT, MRI, optical, and MSOT imaging, and will follow with a data analysis workshop in the afternoon. The various data and images possible from each modality and the relevant questions they can answer will be discussed.
- Advanced Stream Program
- Advanced Stream Practical Sheet
The ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent BioNano Science and Technology (CBNS), the University of Queensland, the Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI), the Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology (CIBIT) and PerkinElmer sponsored the 3rd Animal Imaging Workshop. In this 2-day workshop participants were taken through two case-study driven experiments (one on each day) and learned about the theory, discussed experimental parameters, participated in several experiments across multiple modalities, and concluded with examples for data and image processing from each experiment. The program and practical portions were customised from participant responses the provided via a survey prior to the event.
Over 2 days, participants will get the opportunity to focus their time on imaging that will help them with their research projects. The workshop will cover the theory, practical, and analytical information and hands-on practice needed for doing the imaging experiments with the aim of preparing the participant for future imaging studies.
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Present2016
Lecturer
Molecular Targets and Imaging Probes – Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland.
This unit of study explores the characteristics of molecular targets and imaging probes that are required for successful molecular imaging experiments.
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Present2016
Lecturer
Cell-labelling and tracking technologies in MR and molecular imaging – Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland.
This course describes the various approaches used for cell-labelling in vivo, with particular emphasis on the complementary nature of each modality for application in nanomedicine.
Teaching History
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20182018
Lecturer
Nanoscience: Synthesis: Vibrational Spectroscopy Workshop – School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland.
Introduction to the synthesis of nanostructures and their use in nanotechnology. Fundamentals of synthetic methods, structure-property relationships and application in computing, drug and vaccine delivery, plastic optoelectronics, diagnostics, nanoreactors, and nanorobots.
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20102008
Teaching Assitant
College Chemistry – Chemistry Department, University of Missouri
A two-semester sequence of courses with the first semester emphasizing principles and applications of modern chemical sciences. Covers chemical nomenclature, stoichiometry, kinetic molecular theory, atomic structure, periodic properties, and molecular structure and bonding. Satisfies laboratory science requirement. The second semester covers intermolecular forces, solutions, kinetics, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and thermodynamics.
- Taught both courses (CHEM 1320 & CHEM 1330)
- (3.8/4.0 average rating)
- Head TA – 4 Semesters
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20062006
Laboratory Demonstrator
Chemical Structure and Bonding & Modern Chemistry – School of Physical Sciences, Flinders University
Two semesters of an introductory chemistry course that included topics on atomic and molecular structures, nuclear and electronic structure of atoms, periodic table trends, chemical bonds, intermolecular forces, states of matter, properties of gases, liquids and solids, spectroscopy to determine structures, thermodynamics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, kinetics, and reactivity in organic chemistry.