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Professor Owen Carmichael
Name:
Professor Owen Carmichael
Job Title:
Professor and Director of Biomedical Imaging
Place of work / study:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Area of Research:
Through my research, I work to develop new biomedical imaging techniques that can be applied to study Alzheimer’s disease, brain aging, metabolic disorders, and exercise, with an emphasis on the effects of lifestyle factors on the aging brain.
How is your work funded:
My work is mainly funded by the US National Institutes of Health.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am Professor and Director of Biomedical Imaging at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As Director of Biomedical Imaging, I oversee MRI, DXA, and ultrasound data collection and analysis at Pennington Biomedical. My laboratory works to develop new biomedical imaging techniques that can be applied to study Alzheimer’s disease, brain aging, metabolic disorders, and exercise, with an emphasis on the effects of lifestyle factors on the aging brain. I am a Principal Investigator of National Institutes of Health-funded research studies that assess brain aging in the Bogalusa Heart Study, effects of exercise on brain health among older African Americans, and effects of exercise on skeletal muscle characteristics. He has also led or contributed to clinical trials assessing effects of pharmaceuticals and food products on the brain, using functional MRI as an outcome measure.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
Since moving to Louisiana I have taken to cooking Cajun and Creole delicacies, including crawfish, macque choux, and shrimp and merliton dressing.
Why did you choose to work in dementia:
My father and grandfather both died of dementia. Observing their slow and steady decline had a major impact on me.
What single piece of of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Beware of imposter syndrome! Even if you believe that you are not as smart or not as creative as your peers, chances are this is not true. You deserve to be in the research business and your contributions are likely to be valuable regardless of how you see yourself.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I am reading the Dune series of science fiction novels. I recommend them because one premise is that computational machines (“thinking machines”) have been outlawed. It is a very different perspective compared to our current AI-predominated landscape.
Favourite film of all time?
There are far too many to select just one! I can say that I am extremely fond of films by Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, Billy Wilder, and others.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
I like to exercise: running, swimming, lifting weights, etc.
Can we find you on social media?
Would you like to share your playlist?
Like movies, there are far too many genres and artists to select just one musical playlist! On different days I listen to rock, jazz, blues, techno…
Dr Yvonne Couch
Alz Forum