Operator Training:

At the present time, all MR image acquisitions will be performed by currently trained facility staff due to the recent establishment of the facility. In addition, investigators are expected to provide their own animal handling and injectible anesthetics. Gas anesthesia (isoflurane) is available upon request as is animal physiologic monitoring during scanning. In the future, we hope to provide limited animal services such as necropsy, sample fixation, microsurgery, tumor implantation, etc. As we develop and become fully operational, investigators may provide their own instrument operators after formal training and prior approval by the Director of the facility. By expanding the pool of qualified operators, we hope to further expand the depth of experience among our users. In addition, training and qualifying additional MR operators will provide a means to expand the Pre- Clinical MR Imaging operations into non-standard work hours in the event that experimental design or scheduling conflicts require it.