MRITogether25 - “Breaking Boundaries”

This year marks the fifth edition of the workshop since 2021 with a focus on “Breaking boundaries”. We want to discuss how to go beyond traditional limits in every dimension of MRI. We will explore the full spectrum of imaging—from the brain to the whole body, from ultra-high to ultra-low-field—while expanding horizons geographically and professionally, engaging participants from every corner of the globe and every role in the MRI community, including radiographers. By fostering open science, championing grassroots initiatives, and advancing science communication from academia to the wider world, we aim to create a truly inclusive, innovative, and boundary-defying forum for the future of MRI. Of course, we will also highlight the latest open source tools for acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis that have been developed by the MR community.

Day 1: December 9th

Opening session: Open science in MRI what is missing? (04:30 - 05:00 UTC)

The opening session will host a keynote speaker talking about the current state of open science in MRI, highlighting achievements to date, identifying critical gaps, and inspiring new ways to make MRI research more transparent, collaborative, and accessible for the global community.

Open-minded AI deployment in MRI (06:00-07:30 UTC)

This session will explore how artificial intelligence can be thoughtfully integrated into MRI. Two AI experts will each give a 30-minute talk: one on deep learning approaches to enhance ultra-low-field imaging, and another on the use of AI in clinical neuroimaging. Following these talks, a one-hour poster session will feature power pitches and provide opportunities for interaction with all the speakers.

Opening session: Open science in MRI what is missing? (recorded) (15:00 - 15:30 UTC)

The opening session will be replayed for participants in other time zones, using a recording made earlier. However, a moderator will be present to coordinate a live discussion alongside the recorded keynote video.

Challenges of AI in open science (16:30 - 18:00 UTC)

This session will address the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations of applying AI in MRI, featuring two talks: one on the pitfalls and successes of current approaches and a second on the reproducibility of AI in MRI applications. These will be followed by a one-hour poster session with power pitches, where attendees can engage with presenters and vote for the best poster to be awarded in the closing session.

Day 2: December 10th

Data sharing considerations for MRI (04:30 - 06:00 UTC)

This session will explore the current landscape of data sharing in MRI, from the latest legislation and its implications to key networks and initiatives that researchers should join. It will feature expert talks, interactive panel discussions, and a networking market designed to connect participants and foster collaboration in open science.

Between disruption and tradition: challenges of the MRI researcher (06:30 - 08:30 UTC)

This session will examine the evolving role of the MRI researcher in a rapidly changing landscape, from harnessing generative AI for coding and data analysis to navigating the global challenges of the tenure-track system. Through expert talks, an interactive ‘best prompt’ challenge, and a panel discussion, participants will reflect on the balance between disruption and tradition in shaping the future of MRI research careers.

MRI in the LMICs (14:00-15:30 UTC)

This session will highlight the realities and opportunities of advancing MRI in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), from transferring technology and expertise to showcasing innovations emerging from the global south. Through expert talks, panel discussions, and debates with speakers who have first-hand experience, participants will gain insight into the unique challenges and transformative potential of MRI in these settings.

Between disruption and tradition: challenges of the MRI researcher (recorded) (16:30 - 18:00 UTC)

The session Between disruption and tradition: challenges of the MRI researcher described above will be replayed for participants in other time zones, using a recording made earlier. However, a moderator will be present to coordinate a live discussion alongside the recorded keynote video.

Day 3: December 11th

Challenges of AI in open science (recorded) (04:30 - 06:00 UTC)

The session Challenges of AI in open science described above will be replayed for participants in other time zones, using a recording made earlier. However, a moderator will be present to coordinate a live discussion alongside the recorded keynote video.

Open-science MRI for everyone: from radiographers to students (06:30 - 08:30 UTC)

This session will showcase how open science in MRI can engage and empower everyone—from radiographers to students: through effective science communication, accessible open-source educational tools, and inspiring examples of radiographer-led research, concluding with an interactive MRI artefact identification game!

Simulation MRI: from acquisition to motion correction (14:00-15:30 UTC)

This session will delve into MRI simulation workflows, from sequence design in Pulseq and reconstruction with BART to advanced simulations in KomaMRI and optimization in MRZero, complemented by two hands-on sessions for practical experience in acquisition-to-motion-correction pipelines!

A focus on body MRI (16:30-17:30 UTC)

This session will focus on advances in body MRI beyond the brain, featuring open-source motion correction tools with a hands-on demonstration, and exploring the latest developments and applications in whole-body MRI!

Early-career researcher initiatives for advancing open science in MRI (17:30-18:00 UTC)

In this session, an early career researcher will present their work on glymphatic system imaging and share their group’s initiative to launch a MICCAI challenge for developing open-source perivascular space (PVS) segmentation methods—highlighting the technical and methodological challenges involved in this endeavour.

Day 4: December 12th

Collaboration and contributions from early-career researchers (04:30 - 06:00 UTC)

This session will spotlight the work and perspectives of early-career researchers from regions outside North America and Europe, featuring short talks, Q&A, and an interactive round table with senior mentors to discuss research, career development, and opportunities for global collaboration.

Closing session: Low-field MRI and open hardware (06:30 - 07:30 UTC)

The closing session will feature a keynote on low-field MRI and open hardware, exploring how accessible technologies are reshaping the MRI landscape, followed by concluding remarks and the presentation of conference awards.

Collaboration and contributions from early-career researchers (recorded) (15:00 - 16:30 UTC)

The session Collaboration and contributions from early-career researchers described above will be replayed for participants in other time zones, using a recording made earlier. However, a moderator will be present to coordinate a live discussion alongside the recorded keynote video.

Closing session: Low-field MRI and open hardware (recorded) (06:30 - 07:30 UTC)

The session Closing session: Low-field MRI and open hardware described above will be replayed for participants in other time zones, using a recording made earlier. However, a moderator will be present to coordinate a live discussion alongside the recorded keynote video.