Contact: Phil Hearn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A new facility featuring state-of-the-art research and clinical imaging equipment will formally open in Starkville Tuesday [Oct. 17].
The 20,000-square-foot facility--the result of a partnership between Premier Radiology and Mississippi State--features a powerful $2.7 million 3 Telsa Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine and a 64-slice computed tomography scanner. The MRI equipment is funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
University President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong, Starkville Mayor Dan Camp and Premier Radiology physician Dr. Vernon W. Barrow III will be among featured speakers at a 5 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. An open-house with light refreshments will follow.
The facility is located at the intersection of U.S. 182 West and Stark Road.
"The MRI will be a key element in research and education in biomedical engineering, computer science, veterinary medicine, cognitive science, and other areas related to neuroscience and technology," said Colin Scanes, vice president for research and economic development.
The university's Institute for Neurocognitive Science and Technology, directed by Stephanie Doane, will use the imaging equipment to conduct research aimed at improving the visualization of biomedical data, human performance in complex interactive task environments, and the scientific and clinical understanding of disease.
Premier Radiology will make the medical imaging equipment available to physicians and their patients for diagnostic and therapeutic use. Additionally, veterinarians and pet owners will have access to the imaging equipment through MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Established in 2004, INST is a cross-disciplinary, university-level research institute at Mississippi State that has grown to include more than 30 researchers representing eight departments and four colleges. The Web site is www.inst.msstate.edu.
For more information on the grand opening, contact INST assistant director Jennifer McCallister at (662) 325-3442 or jmccallister@inst.msstate.edu.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.