His research is highly multi-disciplinary, crossing the boundaries between engineering, physics, neuroscience and clinical medicine. The technical focus of his work is the development and use of non-invasive optical instruments and techniques for monitoring brain oxygenation, haemodynamics and metabolism. A major part of Prof. Tachtsidis research is to investigate the use and limitations of functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy or fNIRS in neuroscience applications. In addition, the clinical focus of his work is the identification and use of optically measured biomarkers to assess the functional status of the brain.
The Team
Ilias Tachtsidis
Professor in Biomedical Engineering
founder and CEO of Metabolight Ltd.
Ilias Tachtsidis is a Professor in Biomedical Engineering and is the founder and CEO of Metabolight Ltd. He is a senior member of the Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory in University College London and heads the Multi-Modal Spectroscopy Group.
Andrew Levy
Senior Neuroscientist
Andrew has been with Metabolight since its inception. He has worked with Prof. Tachtsidis before joining Metabolight in developing new optical techniques and methodologies to investigate brain tissue metabolic changes during functional activation.
As an experienced neuroscientist Andrew’s role at Metabolight is to oversee research projects, providing support for the designing, conducting and analysis of neuroimaging research. He is the project lead on the development of bespoke neuroimaging software used by a global industrial partner (See Project).
Andrew has a diverse background, starting out in dentistry (University of Leeds) and continuing towards a career in neuroscience by undertaking training in clinical hypnotherapy (LCCH), cognitive neuroscience (Birkbeck College), and computational and theoretical neurology (University College London).
As part of his PhD, Andrew worked alongside the team that develops Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM), the most widely used neuroimaging analysis software. He gained extensive experience with conventional neuroimaging modalities such as fMRI, fNIRS, MEG, & EEG, as well as working with cutting-edge innovations in neuroimaging. For example, Andrew developed an oral appliance that enabled an MEG sensor to be positioned in the mouth. This resulted in a world-first, high-fidelity recording of electrical activity deep in the brain which may have a future application in localising aberrant activity in epileptic patients.
Past Team
Ellie Boot
Neuroscientist
Ellie is a neuroscientist working to apply wearable functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology to research sensorial perception, stimulus imagery and crossmodal correspondences.
Ellie completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Coventry University, obtaining a bachelor of science first class honours. She further continued her education to Masters level, studying Brain Imaging and Cognitive Neuroscience at University of Birmingham, obtaining her masters of science with distinction.
