The Lab

NTUS Lab is integrated within CINAC – the Center for Integrative Neuroscience, a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to understanding and halting Parkinson’s disease progression. Bringing together engineers, physicists, and computer scientists, our lab focuses on developing cutting-edge technological solutions to advance neuroengineering and applied neuroscience.

Our Team

Predoctoral Researcher

Marta Castillo Ortiz

I am a Biomedical Engineer with a Master’s in Computer Vision. Since starting my PhD, I have been working on applying imaging and AI techniques to address biomedical challenges. I’m particularly interested in finding practical solutions at the intersection of technology and healthcare. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with cats, baking, and playing board games with Friends.

Radiographer, Data Manager

Victor Medina Chavarrías

Biologist, Paleontologist and Radiology Technician. Fullfiling duties as Radiographer and Data Manager in CINAC since 2022 and contributing to the NTUS Lab in every way I can with such a peculiar background. Beyond my work, I'm an avid reader, an amateur musician, an ocasional film lover and, in many ways, some kind of a geek culture fan.

Predoctoral Researcher

Ariel Viña González

I'm Biomedical Engineer specializing in neuroimaging with a Master's degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, where my research focuses on transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) neuromodulation techniques for Parkinson's disease. I am passionate about emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, Linux, and computing in general.

Ipsum

Loren

I have been the lab’s mascot since the recent creation of its website, and I hope to continue being so in the future.

Principal Investigator

José Angel Pineda-Pardo

I have led the NTUS lab since 2018. With a background in biomedical and telecommunications engineering, I have researched in neuroimaging applied to understanding neurodegeneration since 2010, focusing on biomarker development and extracting insights from large-scale data. Passionate about Artificial Intelligence and its applications in neuroscience. Outside the lab, I enjoy MTB, bikepacking and cooking.

Technological Resources

We have access to state-of-the-art imaging and therapeutic ultrasound systems housed within CINAC’s infrastructure, enabling advanced research in neuroimaging, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), and neuromodulation. Additionally, our computational resources include high-performance CPU and GPU clusters, allowing us to leverage AI, machine learning, and large-scale data analysis to drive innovation in the field.

Facilities

3T MRI Discovery 750w, GE

3T MRI system with advanced sequences for structural and functional neuroimaging.

3T PET-MRI mMR Biograph, Siemens

PET-MRI system for multimodal studies. We use FDG, FDOPA, DPA, Fluorbetapir, and Fluorbetaben tracers.

Brainsight

Infrared neuronavigation system for precise localization in neuromodulation studies.

ExAblate Neuro 2, Insightec

Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) system operating at 220 kHz, with an integrated MR coil. Used for blood-brain barrier disruption trials.

ExAblate Neuro, Insightec

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system integrated into MRI, operating at 670 kHz, with an integrated MR coil. Used for deep brain thermoablative interventions.

NeuroFUS 500CTX - Brainbox

Low-intensity transcranial ultrasound stimulation system operating at 500kHz for neuromodulation.

Alumni

Miguel López Aguirre

PhD

With a background in nuclear physics, I was a member of the NTUS lab from 2019 to 2025, where I completed my PhD studies under the supervision of Dr. Pineda-Pardo. My dissertation combined qMRI, DWI, molecular imaging, and histology to characterize nigrostriatal degeneration along the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, focusing on dopaminergic and microstructural alterations, as well as iron and myelin-related changes. Alongside this and other advanced neuroimaging studies, I also conducted some research on therapeutic ultrasound and histological image analysis. After my time at the NTUS lab, I joined the Instituto de Neurociencias CSIC-UMH to continue my research career as a postdoctoral researcher at the CanalsLab.