< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Gopikrishna Deshpande wants to see the brain in action. How does information between bil- lions of neurons flow within this cerebral superhighway? What functional details impact decision-making or even clinical disorders such as autism or Alzheimer’s? Now, he can. The recently approved $9 million Siemens MAGNETOM Terra.X 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner inside the Auburn University Neuroimaging Center takes researchers to places they’ve never been and pro- vides them with detailed, ultra-high-res- olution images they previously could not study. The world’s first field-installed, clinically approved parallel transmit 7T MRI scanner complements the center’s 3T scanner, part of its original equipment that’s still used today. “3T scanners are standard in clinical practice today, and you get a fairly good view of what’s happening in the brain — but you miss a lot of the details,” said Deshpande, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, who specializes in signal/image processing. “Because the brain is such a complex organ with billions of neurons and trillions of con- nections, the devil is in the details. As researchers, we want to have as much detailed depiction, with high-resolution images, as possible.” For Auburn, installing the powerful whole-body Terra.X 7 Tesla scanner was … a no-brainer. “The university is sitting on a gold mine in terms of data and capabilities,” said Thomas Denney, director of the Auburn University Neuroimaging Center and the Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Donnellan & Family Endowed Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “This machine puts us on the map in the MRI universe, and it allows us to play in a sandbox that we couldn’t play in before.” Denney said updated scanners like this are fitted with parallel transmit tech- nology and sodium imaging capability. “With our old 7T, if we did an MRI scan of the brain in certain regions, you wouldn’t receive uniform coverage of the brain,” Denney said. “That’s because we had only one transmit channel — like a flashlight inside a large room with only one beam. By comparison, our new Terra.X 7 provides us with eight beams of light that illuminate the brain and provide a more uniform image. Sodium imaging technol- ogy is important because it can measure how much sodium is in your brain region- ally and identify abnormalities.” Denney noted that Auburn research- ers, many whom have already utilized the center’s previous 7T and 3T equip- ment, will take advantage of this new avenue. Fresh research explorations al- ready underway include: n Meredith Reid, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering, is ex- ploring post-traumatic stress disorder bio- markers in senior adults via spectroscopy. n Jennifer Robinson, professor in psychological sciences, compares brain connectivity between healthy popula- tions and those with mental illness, fo- cusing on cognition and emotions. n Adil Bashir, associate professor in electrical and computer engineering, is studying muscle and brain energy pro- duction capacity on the cells and deter- mining mitochondrial metabolic homeo- stasis using phosphorus spectroscopy. n Doug Martin, director of the Scott- Ritchey Research Center and professor of anatomy, physiology and pharmacol- ogy at the College of Veterinary Medi- cine, is using MRI and spectroscopy to measure the effect of gene therapy for Tay-Sachs disease in animal models. “I dreamed of building an MRI re- search program here at Auburn where large medical centers recognize our contributions,” Denney said. “Through research, Auburn University has moved the needle and more than exceeded my expectations. Since opening the Thomas Walter MRI Research Building in 2010, we’ve been able to double our staff. Those machines are great, but people are the ones who write research papers, and peo- ple are the ones who earn those research grants.” People like Deshpande. “MRI research has come a long way — and it will continue to evolve,” Desh- pande said. “I’m proud that Auburn University is a leading player in this field as my colleagues and myself continue to explore the unexplored, explain the unexplained and provide impactful re- search to improve the quality of life for all.” UNIVERSITY NEWS BY JOE MCADORY GAME CHANGER: NEW 7T MRI ELEVATES AUBURN RESEARCH The new 7T MRI will allow Auburn to leverage its existing expertise in engineering, sciences and veterinary medicine to improve health care. Jennifer Robinson’s teaching and research in neuroscience will be elevated with the use of the new 7T MRI scanner on campus. 129 E. Glenn Ave. (Downtown) (334) 209-6390 1673 Shug Jordan Pkwy. Suite A (334) 209-1295 1684 S. College St. (334) 209-1140 Serving Auburn for over 40 years “Bertha!”52 2024 HOMECOMING COURT AUBURNTIGERS.COM alongside such remarkable women and will remember this special moment as a highlight of my time at Auburn. What has been your favorite class at Auburn and why? My favorite class at Auburn has been macronutrients. It was fascinating to explore how our body digests and absorbs each nutrient so well. Although it was the most challenging course I’ve taken at Auburn, it was also the most rewarding. The depth of knowledge I gained not only expanded my understanding but also increased by passion for nutrition. Describe Auburn to someone who has never been here. Auburn is like coming home to your family and sharing a meal together. It’s being challenged by professors and expanding your knowledge. It’s athletic events and getting involved on campus. It represents a lifelong community that supports and inspires you. Auburn excels in every aspect, which is why I am so proud to call it my home. It is the home I will always come back to and that will always welcome me. Name: Lily Grace Thome Hometown: Knoxville, TN Major: Public Relations; Minor in Marketing and Leadership If you could play any position in football, what would you play and why? If I could play any position, it would be wide receiver. I think that position is one of the most exciting because the entire stadium holds their breath while they watch the ball fly through the air. I love the idea of running down the field at full speed, sensing the crowd’s anticipation as the ball is coming towards me and the absolute elation as I catch the ball and run into the endzone solidifying our win over Alabama. One can dream, right? What is your major and what made you decide to pursue it? So I think if you ask those who know me, they’ll say that I like organization. I like to put out fires. I like to create plans and execute them. I like to resolve conflict. I like to build consensus and get everyone rowing in the same direction. I chose to be a public relations major because through it I’ll get to all of this and more for a career. How a company positions themselves with their customers, their employees and even their competition can be incredibly important and the difference between success and failure. What is your favorite Auburn tradition and why? Without question, my favorite Auburn tradition is Hey Day. I love how the entire Auburn community comes together around the world for one day to celebrate this amazing school. I was fortunate enough to serve as Director of Hey Day for SGA during my sophomore year and fell in love with the tradition even more. If you could walk in someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be and why? I would have to choose my younger brother, John. He is currently a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point. It goes without saying that his college experience is not anything like mine, and I think it would be amazing to have a chance to walk a day in his shoes … or should I say boots! From his early morning wake up at 5:15am to his meal formations to his academic classes, and of course, his exercise routine, I think I’d both enjoy and be exhausted from walking a day in his shoes. Thanking the Lord that John knows he’s answering a higher calling to give back and protect! What does it mean to be on the Homecoming Court? When I arrived on Auburn’s campus as a freshman, I don’t think I fully understood just how important the Auburn traditions were. Since then, I’ve seen firsthand how our Auburn Family bonds over the various events throughout the year. To be on the Homecoming Court this weekend is a full-circle moment and allows me a chance to give back to the school that has given me so much. This week has been a consistent reminder that Auburn is such a special place. It’s the place that has created my definition of hard work, leadership and community. What has been your favorite class at Auburn and why? I’ve taken some amazing classes both here on campus and during my study abroad experiences, so that is a tough question for me to answer. I think one of my favorite classes has been my strategic communication in public relations class with professor Brooke Bacak. This course taught me how to conduct thorough research, analyze goals and objectives and develop an extensive PR strategy for a company or brand. This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern for Delta Air Lines where I used what I learned in this class every single day - from announcing new airports and flight routes, to celebrating the partnership with Team USA and the Paris Olympics, to helping frustrated customers through the world-wide Crowd Strike technology outage. Describe Auburn to someone who has never been here. They say “the people make the place!” I remember the first time I stepped foot on campus and how the friendly faces I saw, the traditions I wanted to be a part of and the excitement I felt saying “War Eagle” ignited something within me. This was the day it became clear that I would call this place home for the next four years. You can find your way easily around the campus, and you’ll never feel like you’re far from anything. The entrance is perfectly placed between Toomer’s Corner and Samford Lawn, which welcomes students, alumni and fans on to campus every day. My favorite spot is COVER FEATURE Continued from page 24 Continued on page 64ORANGE AND BLUE ©2024 BLUE MOON BREWING COMPANY, GOLDEN, CO • ALE54 2024 STADIUM MAP 2024 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM (NS PASS) NORTH STADIUM LOT SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE BILL & CONNIE NEVILLE LOBBY SUITE TICKET PICK-UP 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 20 0 EXIT GATE STUDENT GATE STUDENT GATE SOUTH SERVICE GATE AUBURN PLAYER GUEST STUDENT GATE BROADWAY CLUB & MEDIA CREDENTIALS TIGER WALK CLUB ENTRANCE HIGH SCHOOL COACHES 11 10 1U VISITING PLAYER GUEST & VISITING FAN TICKET PICK-UP NORTH SERVICE GATE VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM FOOTBALL RECRUITING OLYMPIC SPORT RECRUITING TIGER WALK CLUB 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 12 12 14 15 14 13 15 16 16 17 17 18 1819 19 20 20 21 46 46 45 44 44 434241 43424140 4039 39 38 38 37 37 36 35 35 34 34 33 33 32 32 31 31 30 30 2929 28 28 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 27 ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP HRC ONLY BROADWAY CLUB ONLY TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE TICKET OFFICE GAMEDAY TRANSIT & FANFEST NEVILLE ARENA TICKET OFFICE Sales & Pick-Up BROADWAY CLUB SUITESSUITES NELSON CLUB BECKWITH CLUB Entry Gate Water Station Cooling Station LEGEND Medical Bag Entry Special Access Statues Guest Services ADA Shuttle Elevator First Aid Tiger Babies Charging Station Student Section Seating bowl closed to non-students Team ShopCIVIL CONSTRUCTION, DONE RIGHT56 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM WOODFIELD LOT (ADA Reserved with Tailgating) SEE NEXT PAGE FOR LEGEND Auburn University is a smoke-free campus. THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING. Map information is subject to change. Visit AUBURNTIGERS.COM for updates to this map and other game day information. SCAN FOR DIGITAL2024 AUBURN PARKING MAP LEGEND 57 2024 AUBURN PARKING LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COMWelcome to Delicious YOUR LOCAL CULVER’S RESTAURANT: Culver’s of Auburn 2080 E University Dr Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 209-2708 YOUR LOCAL CULVER’S RESTAURANT: Culver’s of Auburn 2080 E University Dr Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 209-2708 Empowering Your Financial Journey. Lee County | Montgomery | Prattville Union Springs | Escambia County amerifirstbank.com Lee County Youth Development Center Laura Cooper Executive Director www.lcydc.org Serving Children Empowering Communities Uplifting Humanity 50 Years of Impact Business Friends Working for the Future of Auburn AUBURN - ATLANTA pursuitengineering.com Your Local MEP Design Firm Currently Hiring Experienced ME’s & EE’s 457 South 10th Street Opelika, AL 36801 334-749-2222 www.deanandbarrett.com 715 EAST GLENN AVE, AUBURN, AL 36804 (334) 734-0570 @AUBURN_NUTRITION -AUBURN NUTIRTION - AUBURNNUTRITION6427@GMAIL.COMSALADS | SANDWICHES | SOUPS | DESSERTS | & MORE SCORE BIGWITH NEWK’S CATERING! Order Online at catering.newks.com or at Newk’s Eatery of Opelika, AL 2664 Enterprise Drive | 334-749-0011Next >