Rita G. Nunes

Research interests:

My main research interests include the development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods and the application of MRI parameters as imaging biomarkers. More specifically, my group's research has focused on developing MRI pulse sequences using open-source programming tools, and deep learning tools for image reconstruction, segmentation and estimation approaches for quantitative MRI including diffusion, relaxometry (T1, T2) and perfusion imaging in a range of applications (brain, cardiac and knee cartilage). 

Bio sketch:

Rita G Nunes completed her degree in Engineering Physics from Instituto Superior Técnico and went on to work on her DPhil. at the FMRIB Centre in Oxford, UK on the “Development of Diffusion Imaging at High Magnetic Field”, supervised by Professor Peter Jezzard and Dr. Stuart Clare. During her DPhil., she implemented and optimised Diffusion-Weighted (DW) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) pulse sequences and collaborated with other researchers in clinical research studies. She completed her DPhil. from the University of Oxford at the end of 2005. In 2006 she moved to Imperial College London, working as a Research Associate under the supervision of Dr. David Larkman and Professor Jo Hajnal. Her work during this period focused on Parallel MR Imaging and led to the acquisition of the first multiband Echo Planar Images. At the end of 2009, she moved to IBEB, FCUL as Investigadora Ciência 2008 (FCT), maintaining collaboration with Professor Hajnal, first as an Honorary Research Fellow at Imperial College London, and later as a Visiting Senior Lecturer at King’s College London. Rita Nunes joined ISR in October 2016 as an Assistant Professor, becoming an Associate Professor in August 2025.

Research grants (as PI or Co-PI):

• DIREQT2Heart: A DIRect QuanTitative assessment of Heart disease with magnetic resonance imaging (La Caixa, 2023 - )

• T1-qAFHA: Myocardium T1 Quantification in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Enabled by HighlyAccelerated Acquisitions and Robust Motion Correction  (FCT and POR Lisboa 2020, 2018-2022)

• MIG_N2Treat: Multimodal neuroimaging biomarkers throughout the migraine cycle: towards neurofeedback training for personalized anti-migraine treatment (POR Lisboa 2020, 2018-2022)

• MRLOWF:  Development of a low field MRI scanner for stroke imaging (Coop. FCT/DST India, 2017-2020)

• DW-MRF: MR Fingerprinting for Quantitative Diffusion Imaging of the Brain (FCT, 2013-2016)

PhD Students:

• • Rita Reis Nunes, Evaluating the Impact of Hormonal Stimulation used in Infertility Treatments on Brain Structure and Connectivity. Co-supervision with Prof. Patrícia Figueiredo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and Dr. Ana Raquel Loureiro Neves, Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidade  (starting Oct 2025)

  • Áron Gimesi, Implementation of efficient simultaneous T2 and diffusion brain mapping. IQ-BRAIN MSCA Doctoral Network; Doctoral Supervision Committee: R. Nunes, J. Sijbers, D. Poot, T. Janssens (Sept 2025-present)

  • Marta Loureiro, Longitudinal Evaluation of Glioma Patients using Multiparametric MRI. Co-supervision with Prof. Patrícia Figueiredo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and Dr. Pedro Vilela, Hospital da Luz  (2023-present)

• Ana Matoso, Leveraging Deep Learning in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Population Characterization through Synthetic Image Generation and Application in Glioma Patients. Co-supervision with Prof. Patrícia Figueiredo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and Dr. Pedro Vilela, Hospital da Luz  (2023-present)

• Catarina Neves de Carvalho, DIREQT-NET: direct model-based deep learning for real-time quantitative perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Co-supervision with Dr. Teresa Correia, Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve  (2023-present)

• Catarina Passarinho, Prediction of high-grade glioma progression by quantitative multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Co-supervision with Prof. Patrícia Figueiredo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and Dr. Pedro Vilela, Hospital da Luz  (2022-present)

• Marc Golub, Longitudinal evaluation of Multiple Sclerosis through lesion detection and localization in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Co-supervision with Prof. Jacinto Nascimento, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (2022 - present)

• Tiago Fernandes, Accessible and reproducible magnetic resonance T2-mapping for cartilage imaging. Co-supervision with Prof. Sairam Geethanath, and Dr. Vasco Mascarenhas (2021 - present)

  • Ana Fouto, Multimodal neuroimaging biomarkers through the migraine cycle. Co-supervision with Prof. Rita Nunes, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, and Dr. Raquel Gil-Gouveia, Hospital da Luz (2019 - 2024)

• Andreia Gaspar, Accelerating Quantitative Cardiovascular MRI: flow quantification and T1 mapping. Co-supervision with Prof. Claudia Prieto, King's College London, and Dr. António Miguel Ferreira, Hospital da Luz (2016 - 2022)

  • João Leote, Brain language connectivity analysis and intraoperative neurophysiologic techniques in low-grade gliomas within eloquent brain areas. Co-supervision with Prof. Hugo Ferreira, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa (2016 - 2020)

Course teaching:

• 2nd Cycle Integrated Project in Biomedical Engineering (2024/2025 - )

• Advanced Imaging Techniques (2021 - )

  • Introduction to Bioengineering (2021-)

• Neuroimaging (2018 -)

  • Medical Imaging (2017 -)

• 2nd Cycle Integrated Project in Biomedical Engineering (2022/2023)

  • Neuroengineering (2016-2021)

  • Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (2016 - 2020)

• Project in Bioengineering and Nanosystems (2019/2020)

• Project of Sensors, Signals and Instrumentation (2017/2018)

• Laboratories in Bioengineering and Nanosystems (2017 - 2022)

• Instrumentation and Acquisition of Biosignals (2017/2018)

• Electromagnetic Properties of Materials (2016/2017)

• Introduction to Bioelectricity (2016 - 2021)