People of Biomedial MR

MSc. Colette Reniers

In 2023, I joined BioMR where I could further develop my interest in neurodegenerative diseases. My fascination with neurological movement disorders began during my bachelor’s research, where I studied the effect of levodopa on serum AADC enzyme activity in Parkinson’s disease. During my Cognitive Neuroscience master’s program, my focus shifted toward MRI techniques during my internship at the DCC, laying the foundation for my current research.

I now focus on identifying imaging biomarkers in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), a rare genetic movement disorder. My goal is to find biomarkers that are sensitive to small but clinically meaningful changes over time, which could improve tracking of disease progression and evaluation of therapeutic interventions. My work combines various MRI methods, including structural imaging, spectroscopy, diffusion imaging, and resting-state analyses.
What I enjoy most about my work is the variety: from patient interaction and data acquisition to project management, collaboration with colleagues, and coordination with other departments, such as ophthalmology, and with other hospitals. This blend of clinical and research activities allows me to make a real impact and contribute to improving care for people with rare neurological disorders.

The idea that my research could help patients receive better diagnostics and treatments is what drives me every day. Being able to translate complex imaging data into meaningful insights for patient care is both challenging and rewarding, and it continues to fuel my passion for neuroscience research.