Susan Francis

Susan Francis is Professor of Physics at Nottingham University. Her research aims to develop advanced quantitative MRI techniques for studies of physiology, neuroscience, clinical imaging and applications. Sue’s research includes the development of imaging methods, such as ASL-based perfusion, oxygenation and relaxometry, which a particular emphasis on:

• Using MR measures to study dynamic physiological and metabolic responses, including the response to exercise and applying this to IBD, COPD and frailty, and interventions such as fluid therapy, meal challenges and dialysis treatments.
• Studying the multi-organ pathophysiology of renal and liver disease, and interventions.

Sue also works at ultra-high (7 T) on developing and applying high resolution functional MRI techniques and arterial spin labelling (ASL) methods to measure blood flow and blood volume non-invasively. 

Sue co-leads the imaging work packages in the DeLIVER consortia to establish a coordinated program of novel imaging techniques for HCC early detection and risk stratification. The SELiNa study will use novel imaging techniques at the Universities of Nottingham and Oxford Universities to identify small HCC,  and to characterise the non cancer liver in the same patients to define the “field effect” of the cirrhotic liver that is associated with cancer transformation.