Our History

Before 2000, Prof. Dr. Rik Achten from the Faculty of Medicine pioneered the use of fMRI studies on a clinical 1Tesla MRI scanner, focusing primarily on presurgical evaluations in epilepsy patients. Interest in applying fMRI for brain mapping at Ghent University grew alongside the advancements in scanner technology. This led to multiple fMRI studies in collaboration with the Faculty of Psychology and multiple centers in Belgium and The Netherlands, conducted on various 1.5T MRI scanners.

As demand for scanner time quickly outpaced availability, the need for a dedicated research scanner became evident. In 2004, Prof. Dr. Rik Achten, Prof. Dr. Wim Fias, Prof. Dr. Guy Vingerhoets and Prof. Dr. Paul Boon secured funding through the Flemish Government’s “Universitaire impulsfinanciering Zware Apparatuur” program to purchase a dedicated Siemens Trio 3T MRI scanner.

With the inauguration of the scanner on March 3rd 2005, the official name GIfMI—Ghent Institute for Functional and Metabolic Imaging—was established, formalizing the MR Research Community at Ghent University as a collaborative research unit. The four original principal investigators constitued the first management committee.

Installed in the Department of Radiology at the Ghent University Hospital, the new scanner significantly boosted MR research at Ghent University. By offering open access to the MRI scanner during office hours, it attracted a steadily growing community of researchers.

In 2007, A new Siemens Trio Tim scanner was installed in a dedicated building on the UZ Gent campus, while the previous scanner was repurposed for clinical use in the Department of Radiology. The number of researchers using the facility grew rapidly, resulting in a substantial increase in scientific output.

To meet the growing needs of the research community, the GIfMI operational team was strengthened with experts from diverse disciplines, bringing together expertise in engineering, MR physics, radiography, MR safety, and related fields.

Over time, the Siemens Trio Tim system was upgraded to a Siemens Prisma Fit, retaining only the main magnet whiel replacing all other components. This upgrade introduced cutting-edge technology to the MR research community. A major update in 2018 further ensured the scanner remained state-of-the-art. The CORE GIfMI management team continues to maintain and enhance the system through regular hardware and software updates.

In 2024, GIfMI was officially recognized as a core facility under Ghent University’s guidelines for Core Facilities. Prof. Dr. Wim Fias leads the Core, supported by Prof. Dr. Ir. Pim Pullens as Facility Manager. The recognition marked an important step in professionalizing CORE GIfMI’s services and increasing its visibility in both the academic and commercial MR research communities.