Supervisors:

Prof. Frans W. Cornelissen (www.visualneuroscience.nl)

Dr. Remco Renken

Prof. Nomdo M. Jansonius (www.nomdo.nl/research.htm)

Background & Interests

My name is Azzurra Invernizzi. I graduated in Biomedical Engineering (BSc) at the University of Pavia, Italy. Due to my strong interest on

neural signal and functional neuroimaging, I achieved my MSc in Biomedical Engineering with curriculum in NeuroEngineering at the

University of Genoa, Italy. For my Master’s project, I worked at the University of Antwerp to develop a new data-analysis methodology for

neural signals analysis and obtain an in vitro model of cortical microcirtuitry activation inspired from biophysical mathematical modelling

studies. After this, I worked as research assistant at the University of Oxford for two years, during which I developed some optimised

approaches for fMRI/MRI brain imaging.

In September 2016, I joined the Visual Neuroscience Group (www.visualneuroscience.nl) at the University of Groningen to pursue my PhD.

 

Aim of the project

An outstanding issue is whether glaucoma should be considered exclusively an eye disease or also a brain disease. To resolve this, I will examine the brains and visual

pathways of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal-tension (NTG) glaucoma patients using resting-state (RS) fMRI. In particular, I will be looking for the

presence of neurodegeneration of the brain beyond what can be explained on the basis of propagated retinal and optic nerve damage. If I can demonstrate this, it

implies glaucoma should also be considered a brain disease with potential repercussions for treatment. Using RS-fMRI, I will examine and compare spontaneous

activity both in and outside the lesion projection zone in visual cortex.

 

Personal links:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/azzurrainvernizzi

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Azzurra_Invernizzi