Although the new MRI scanner of Erasmus University Rotterdam and Erasmus MC has been in full use for almost a year, the joint MRI facility was officially and festively opened last week. During the event at Erasmus MC, researchers, administrators and students came together to reflect on what the facility has already achieved, and on the promising research plans for the coming years.
The advanced MRI scanner, specially intended for scientific research into the relationship between brain, behavior and development, is the result of an intensive collaboration between Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (ESSB), and Erasmus MC. This collaboration is already proving to be of great value in practice.
Initial research and insights
At the ceremony, representatives from the three research teams involved in making these new facilities available reflected on what has already been achieved in the year since the scanner has been operational, and provided an outlook into the years to come. Since its commissioning, the scanner has been used intensively for a variety of research projects.
Within the GUTS project (Growing Up Together in Society), MRI scans have been made on several hundreds of young people between the ages of 10 and 20 in recent months. With this data, ESSB scientists investigate how self-regulation and environmental factors contribute to healthy growing up.
Also for the Generation R project (Erasmus MC), hundreds of individuals who are tracked from infancy to adulthood have been scanned, with the goal of collecting data on over 2,500 young adults in the coming 4 years.
And for RSM, several projects investigating the effects of marketing communication on consumers have been completed in this first year.
The importance of collaboration
During the official opening by Rector Magnificus Prof. Jantine Schuit and Chairman of the Executive Board and Dean of the Erasmus MC Prof. Stefan Sleijfer, speakers emphasized the importance of inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration. Rector Magnificus Professor Jantine Schuit says about this:
“I warmly congratulate the initiators on this impressive and distinctive research facility. This MRI scanner is a wonderful example of an innovative collaboration between Erasmus MC and Erasmus University Rotterdam, brought about by enthusiastic and ambitious researchers who look beyond disciplinary boundaries. Thanks to the collaboration between the faculties of ESSB, RSM and FGG/Erasmus MC, it is possible to gain new insights in a unique way into the complex relationship between brain and behaviour. Such collaborations enable us not only to better understand societal challenges, but also to contribute to potential solutions. I am proud that we can play a role in this - collaborations like these are essential.”
More opportunities for researchers in the social sciences
The new MRI facilities are intended to stimulate new research, new collaborations, and new opportunities for grants and other external funding. Brain imaging can be a valuable tool for researchers in various disciplines, as suggested by the emergence of many interdisciplinary collaborations, such as cognitive neuroscience, social neuroscience, affective neuroscience, neuroeconomics, consumer neuroscience and organizational neuroscience.
Researchers who are interested in the use of MRI in their research can contact Suzanne van de Groep (ESSB), Maarten Boksem (RSM/ESE), and Carolina Deurloo – Mendez Orellana (EMC). They are happy to think about the possibilities and support.
With a year of experience, promising initial research and a growing group of involved researchers, the official opening marks an important moment forward: together we are strong in innovative research into brain and behavior.
- More information
ESSB: Marjolein Kooistra, kooistra@essb.eur.nl
RSM: Danielle Baan, baan@rsm.nl
Erasmus MC: press@erasmusmc.nl
