Sarah specializes in clinical neuroimaging, investigating the neurobiological mechanisms of depression through neuroimaging, with a focus on the ventral tegmental area, inflammation, and large-scale dataset analyses.
My journey with the brain started in high school when I picked up a book written by the extraordinary Temple Grandin, which explored the neurobiology of autism using diffusion and functional MRI. Since then, I knew I wanted a career centered around understanding the body's structure and function. For my undergraduate studies, I trained as a radiographer, where I gained extensive knowledge of medical imaging modalities, human anatomy, and pathology. However, I soon discovered that my true passion lay in researching the brain and its complexity rather than clinical practice. Currently, I am a PhD candidate at The University of Queensland, specializing in cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging. My research employs advanced medical imaging techniques, including diffusion MRI and quantitative susceptibility mapping, to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms of depression, with a particular focus on the ventral tegmental area and neuroinflammation. Beyond my PhD, I have been involved in diverse research projects, from exploring the status, satisfaction, and rights of radiographers in Lebanon to studying imaging dose monitoring and national diagnostic reference levels. My work has also included fMRI investigations into finger somatotopy and perception. My work has been presented at international neuroscience and imaging conferences, and I actively engage in teaching and mentoring students in medical imaging and research methodology. I am also a member of the OHBM Open Science Special Interest Group (OSIG) and involved in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives within psychology, advocating for greater accessibility, representation, and inclusivity in research and academia.
Key Publications
Khalife, S., Francis, S. T., Schluppeck, D., Sánchez-Panchuelo, R. M., & Besle, J. (2022). Fast Event-Related Mapping of Population Fingertip Tuning Properties in Human Sensorimotor Cortex at 7T. eNeuro, 9(5), ENEURO.0069-22.2022. https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0069-22.2022