Our Changing World: The advances in MRI coming out of Gisborne

When Dr Samantha Holdsworth started her academic path, she studied physics at the University of Canterbury, focusing on astrophysics.

Switching to medical imaging for her master's and PhD in Australia eventually led her to the prestigious Stanford University in California. Here she focused in on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and investigated new ways to make it faster and more efficient.

But after 11 years of advancing MRI techniques, she returned home to her native Gisborne with big plans.

Follow Our Changing World on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio or wherever you listen to your podcasts

The Mātai Medical Research Institute

Samantha is research director and chief executive of the Mātai Medical Research Institute. Established in 2020, Mātai is a not-for-profit medical imaging research charitable trust. Initially based in a module at Gisborne Hospital, in April of this year they moved into their brand-new building, on the 2.5-hectare site they've bought.

Central to their research is the 3 Tesla MRI machine that this building holds. Taylor Emsden is one of the MRI technologists on staff. She's responsible for looking after the patients or research participants when they come in for a clinical scan or as part of a study. Both happen here, and the clinical side helps bring funds in.

From Whangārei, Taylor trained in Auckland and then worked at Starship Hospital. She moved to Tai Rāwhiti three years ago for this role - not one she ever thought would be available in Gisborne - and she's enjoying both the work, and the place.

Pushing the limits on what MRI can reveal

During her time in Stanford, Samantha was part of a team that developed a new MRI technique to amplify movement in images. Using this, they can see and quantify the movement in the brain that happens during each heartbeat.

Now they are exploring the clinical applications of this new method - from helping guide neurosurgeons, to providing a non-invasive way of detecting increases of pressure in the brain.

Alongside this, more brain-related research is underway. There's an investigation into what happens as a result of methamphetamine use, and improvements seen during treatment.

They are also pioneering a new ultra-high contrast MRI technique that for the first time has allowed the possibility of being able to 'see' concussion.

Though brain imaging is a focus for the institute, it's not the only research that happens here. They are also investigating ways to better diagnose prostate cancer, especially helping those living in rural or remote areas. Plus, they are running a longitudinal study, the Tairāwhiti child well-being study, where participants have whole-body scans to track and model organ, system and body development across time.

Looking to the future

The Mātai Medical Research Institute operates under three pillars, says Dr Samantha Holdsworth: clinical use and research are the first two, the third is education and outreach.

The institute is co-located with Tōnui collab who run dual-language workshops in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and mātauranga Māori.

In addition, Mātai provide scholarships for local Tairāwhiti school leavers, and internships for university students to come work at the institute across summertime.

It's part of their vision for the future: providing a pathway for young people to move into STEM and making sure the institute is an accessible part of the community, rather than an 'ivory tower'.

And in this vision, they see their site in the centre of Gisborne grow into a medical imaging innovation campus that can benefit all of New Zealand.

Listen to the episode to learn more about the research happening at Mātai, and about their plans for the future.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.