CV

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Full-Time Lecturer, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 2022 – Present

EDUCATION

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Physics, 2022
    • Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    • Dissertation: Characterization of ultrasound contrast agents as hyperCEST agents for molecular MRI
    • Committee: Rosa Tamara Branca, PhD (Chair), Paul Dayton, PhD, Joaquin Drut, PhD, Yue Wu, PhD, Xiaopeng Zong, PhD
  • Master of Science, Physics, 2020
    • Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering, 2015
    • Minors: Bioelectrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering
    • University of Delaware
  • Honors Bachelor of Science, Physics, 2015
    • Minor: Philosophy
    • University of Delaware

PRIOR TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • Instructor of Record, UNC Chapel Hill
    • PHYS 114 General Physics I: For Students of the Life Sciences (Summer Session II 2021)
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, UNC Chapel Hill
    • PHYS 119 Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta (Spring 2021)
    • PHYS 118 Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity (Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018)
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant, UT Austin
    • PHY 117N  Laboratory for 317L (General Physics II) (Fall 2015, Spring 2016)

TEACHING CERTIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS

  • CIRTL Associate
  • Morehead Impactor, Triangle Cohort

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, nuclear spin hyperpolarization, biomedical imaging applications of MRI, molecular MRI

PRIOR RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

  • Graduate Research Assistant, UNC Chapel Hill, Department of Physics & Astronomy
    • Advisor: Rosa Tamara Branca, PhD
    • Focused on using hyperCEST to detect extremely dilute molecular ultrasound contrast agents in order to establish dual-modal and dual-phase usage.
  • Research Technician, University of Pennsylvania
    • Advisors: Felix Wehrli, PhD, Chamith Rajapakse, PhD
    • Responsible for running established MRI protocols for longitudinal clinical studies observing the effect of low magnitude mechanical stimulation on osteoporosis
  • Post-Baccalaureate Researcher, University of Delaware, Department of Biomedical Engineering
    • Advisor: Dawn Elliott, PhD
    • Used MRI to identify the structure-function relationships in load-bearing fiber-reinforced tissues and joints
  • Undergraduate Researcher, University of Delaware, Department of Physics & Astronomy
    • Advisor: Michael Shay, PhD
    • Studied plasma physics using analytical theory and massively parallel computer simulations

PUBLICATIONS

See my publication list

PRESENTATIONS

10. McHugh CT, Durham PG, Kelley M, Dayton PA, Branca RT, “MR detection of gas microbubbles via hyperCEST: a path toward a dual-modality contrast agent,” WMIC 2021 Annual Meeting, GA211. Virtual. October 2021.

9. Bryden NJ, McHugh CT, Kelley M, Branca RT, “Molecular MRI at ultralow field strengths,” WMIC 2021 Annual Meeting, LB98. October 2021.

8. McHugh CT, Durham PG, Kelley M, Dayton PA, Branca RT, “MR detection of gas microbubbles via hyperCEST: a path toward a dual-modality contrast agent,” ISMRM 2021 Annual Meeting, 1820. Virtual. May 2021.

7. Antonacci MA, McHugh CT, Kelley M, McCallister A, Branca RT, “Absolute MR thermometry by hyperpolarized 129Xe in UCP1-/- animals reveals UCP1-independent thermogenesis,” ISMRM 2019 Annual Meeting, 1899. Montreal, QC, Canada. May 2019.

6. McHugh CT, Raynor W, Werner T, Alavi A, Rajapakse CS, “Quantification of Bone Metabolism in the Hip and Spine Using PET/MRI/CT,” The SNMMI 2017 Annual Meeting, SNMMI-A-2647-2017. Denver, CO. June 2017.

5. McHugh CT, Raynor W, Werner T, Alavi A, Rajapakse CS, “Feasibility of Quantifying Bone Metabolism in the Femoral Neck in Human Subjects using Multi-Modality Imaging,” ISMRM 2017 Annual Meeting, 7431. Honolulu, HI. April 2017.

4. Rajapakse CS, Sun W, McHugh CT, Newman BT, Al Mukaddam MM, Snyder PJ, Wehrli FW, “MRI Assessment of the Effect of Low-Magnitude Mechanical Stimulation on Postmenopausal Bone Loss,” ISMRM 2017 Annual Meeting, 7012. Honolulu, HI. April 2017.

3. Alecxih AG, McHugh CT, Kobe EA, Johncola AJ, Evans M, Patel S, Kim SM, Newman BT, Chang G, Rajapakse CS, “Potential of High Resolution Isotropic Microstructural MRI of the Proximal,” ISMRM 2017 Annual Meeting, 6683. Honolulu, HI. April 2017.

2. McHugh CT, Rajapakse CS, Sun W, Sexton K, Newman BT, Al Mukaddam MM, Snyder PJ, Wehrli FW, “Effect of Low-Magnitude Mechanical Stimulation on Postmenopausal Bone Loss,” 2016 PCDM Symposium Retreat, 40. Philadelphia, PA. November 2016.

1. Shay MA, Haggerty CC, McHugh CT, Phan TD, Drake JF, Oieroset M, “Scaling of Ion Heating During Magnetic Reconnection: Kinetic PIC Simulations,” AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. December 2014.

RESEARCH MEMBERSHIPS

  • World Molecular Imaging Society, Trainee, 2021 – 2022
  • International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Trainee, 2017 – 2022
    • Hyperpolarized Methods & Equipment
    • Hyperpolarized Media

AWARDS AND HONORS

  • ISMRM & SMRT Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Trainee (Educational) Stipend, 2021
  • Robert W. Hancock Award for Undergraduate Research, 2015
  • University of Delaware Student of Distinction, 2014
  • University of Delaware Institute for Global Studies Scholarship, 2014
  • University of Delaware John Preiss Memorial Scholarship, 2011-2014
  • University of Delaware Academic Award, 2011-2014
  • University of Delaware Dean’s List, 2011-2015