Our History
Over 30 years we have pioneered innovation and applications in imaging neuroscience, addressed fundamental biological questions, and played a leading role in transforming cognitive and systems neuroscience. The Department of Imaging Neuroscience, as it is known today, has taken many forms over these years and included many diverse collaborations. Highlights, punctuated by large scale funding awards, are outlined below in reverse chronological order.
Discovery Research Platform for Naturalistic Neuroimaging, 2024 – 2031, aims to overcome barriers that limit our capacity to study real-world cognition.
This Platform, hosted by the Department of Imaging Neuroscience, is being established to deliver: (1) transformative imaging technology capable of measuring neuronal activity from the entire brain and spinal cord that adults and children can wear comfortably while they behave naturally; (2) the capacity to deploy novel experimental designs that probe lived experiences in real-world settings; and (3) innovative analytics that will transform our mechanistic models of the brain, increasing their explanatory power and their capacity to inform new strategies for maintaining and improving brain function.
Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, 2017 – 2024, delivered clinically-transformative computational neuroimaging.
· Director: Cathy Price
· Deputy 2017 - 2019: Eleanor Maguire
· Deputy 2019 - 2024: Martina Callaghan
Renamed the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging following funding renewal secured as part of an open competition our mission focused on pioneering the clinical translation of human neuroimaging. The Centre was extended in 2022. Details about the work carried out as part of the Centre, as well as the diversity of teams involved, can be found here.
Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, 2006 – 2016, pioneered computational modelling approaches to neuroimaging.
Director: Ray Dolan
Scientific Director: Karl Friston
In 2006, we were awarded Wellcome Trust Centre status becoming the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging. The Centre was renewed in 2011. A key development during this period was our computational models of behaviour that could be linked to dynamic brain activity. In 2014, we opened the Max Planck-UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research.
Wellcome Department for Cognitive Neurology, 1994 – 2006, addressed key questions about brain function and cognition.
Founding Director: Richard Frackowiak
Deputy: Semir Zeki
The Functional Imaging Laboratory (FIL) was founded in 1994 following a major award from the Wellcome Trust. It was incorporated within UCL’s Institute of Neurology, as the Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology. Our early work pioneered and openly shared new neuroimaging techniques and analyses for understanding human cognition.