Professor of Neuroimaging and Senior Physicist at the Bangor Imaging Centre in the School of Psychology and Sports Science.

My research falls into three broad areas: the use of magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy to investigate basic neurologic and physiologic processes in health and disease; the use of these techniques to measure changes associated with neurotransmission and neural activity in health and disease; and investigating the impacts of physiologic challenges (e.g. hypoxia, concussion, exercise) on the brain.

I also interact with colleagues from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences on MRI study design, data acquisition and processing and the resources available to help with their research questions, my aim is to keep the Bangor Imaging Unit a world-class centre for neuroimaging research in North Wales.

fMRS

Based on the same principles as MRS, fMRS collects multiple MRS spectra in a dynamic series to study metabolite concentration changes during brain function. fMRS is able to measure changes in neurotransmitters over very short time scales, in seconds rather than minutes, either alone, or combined with other measures of neural activity such as EEG and BOLD.  Direct measurement of neurotransmitter and neurometabolite changes allows fundamental questions to be addressed regarding the excitatory, inhibitory and metabolic processes underlying neural activity.

Cerebral Physiology

Understanding the what, how, and why, of cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes, has implications for many fields of research, from clinical conditions (stroke, brain injury, hypoxia, Alzheimer's) to basic cognition (fMRI is based on blood flow changes).  Similarly, it is important to understand the physiologic drivers for change, and what other changes in physiology affect CBF.  Current work is investigating the effects of prolonged hypoxic exposure as might be experienced at altitude on CBF and cognition, the effects of healthy ageing, and possible relationships between resting levels of neurotransmitters and blood flow.

Teaching activities

I am the course director of the Masters in Neuroimaging, and lecturer for the “Introduction to Neuroimaging” and "Introduction to Neuroimaging analysis" modules.  I have supervised 10 PhD students to completion, and currently have co-supervision of 4 others. Furthermore, I regularly supervise Masters students research projects that intersect with my interests in neurochemistry and cerebral physiology, having already successfully supervised over 30 Masters students to completion.

Wider Scientific Involvement

Recognizing the importance of open and shared science, I am actively involved in collaborative research with colleagues in the USA, Ireland, Norway and the UK. I am also a well-respected member of the international magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) research community, having been on the organizing committee for several international symposia, and recently involved in developing the Minimum Reporting Standards for Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. 

Lab Website

Programe Director:

Masters in Neuroimaging

Module organiser and Lecturer:

Introduction to Neuroimaging.

Introduction to Neuroimaging analysis

Supervisor:

1 Masters Student projects in 2024-25

6 undergraduate disertations

PhD supervision -

First supervisor:

Ferrida Ponce

Joseph Smith (Recently passed Viva)

Matthew Rogan - Graduated

Pauliina Sorvino - Graduated

Shelby DeMeulenaere - Graduated

Karolina Rusiak - Graduated

Alex Currie - Graduated

Aygul Khusnulina - Graduated

Second / Co-Supervisor:

Vallilath Madham Vinod Ramakrishnan

Steffi Studt

Nia Wyn-Williams

Myrto Mantazaria - Graduated

Joshua Payne - Graduated

Gabriella Rosetti - Graduated 

Justin Lawley - Graduated

 Self-funded (inc. agency-funded) projects: Professor Mullins welcomes informal enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in projects related to functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy, imaging of cerebral physiology, and/or neuroimaging in general. Please submit a draft research proposal (1-2 pages) to p.mullins@bangor.ac.uk.

Competitive scholarship opportunities available: None at present, but I am always ready to investigate opportunities.