24 May 2024

Gisborne-based research centre a global MRI pioneer

From Nine To Noon, 9:20 am on 24 May 2024
Mātai Institute magnetic resonance imaging machine at its brand new campus in Gisborne-Tairāwhiti.

Mātai Institute magnetic resonance imaging machine at its brand new campus in Gisborne-Tairāwhiti. Photo: Mātai Institute

Mātai Medical Research Institute - a not-for-profit research and innovation centre - first opened its doors in Gisborne-Tairāwhiti in 2019.

Five years later, it has a brand new purpose-built campus and is being hailed a world-leader in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

New Zealand-born California University emeritus radiology professor Graeme Bydder has gone as far as to call the techniques a 'third wave' in MRI.

Research to date includes, the impact of meth on the body - using MRI to visualise changes in the heart and brain caused by the drug, and a world-first longitudinal study using MRI - the Tairāwhiti child well-being study.

Dr Daniel Cornfeld is Mātai's Clinical Lead.