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  • Caterina Watson

    Caterina Watson

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    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9097-7859
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Caterina Watson

Overview of thesis

My PhD project will apply computer vision techniques to fetal ultrasound images for the purpose of improving anatomical measurements of brain thickness. This study is a sub-project nested within The ORIGINS Project – a multidisciplinary team studying the prenatal and antenatal human environment to improve childhood outcomes.  The project is part of a collaboration between ECU, Telethon Kids Institute, The ORIGINS Project, and Ramsay Health Care.

Traditional assessment of fetal brain anatomy measurement uses ultrasound images and sonographer judgement.  Brain structures present difficulties for accurate measurement because image degradation is high within the fetal skull.  The proposed research will examine if machine learning-based approach can be used to improve fetal brain anatomy measurement, as compared to human assessment. Ultrasound images are analysed from 20 and 24 weeks gestation.  Brain mantel thickness is measured in millimetres at the frontal and temporal lobes.  These results can assist language and behaviour research clinicians to formulate bespoke machine learning solutions for investigating the fetal brain in utero, in population studies.

Qualifications

  • M.Sc (Hons) Medical Imaging (Ultrasound) with distinction, University of Hertfordshire, England (2005).
  • B.Sc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography, University of Derby, England (1996).
  • B.Sc. (Hons) Human Biology, Loughborough University, England (1993).

Research

Research Interests

  • Fetal brain imaging using ultrasound and magnetic resonance.
  • Outreach ultrasound obstetric education with AI/PoCUS applications.
  • 2015 – present: Research Special Interest Group, Australian Sonographers Association (ASA).
  • 2020 & 2021: Research Grant Assessment panel member, ASA.

Other work

  • 2016 – present: Sonographer, Joondalup Health Campus, Western Australia.
  • 2021 – present: Sonography journal reviewer, ASA.
  • 2021 – present: Emerging Technologies Special Interest Group, Chairperson, ASA.
  • 2021 – Response to RANZCR Position Statement on Regulation of AI in Medicine, ASA Panel member.
  • 2018 – present: ISUOG representative Outreach ultrasound education

Past Teaching

  • 2020: ASUM Obstetric Basic Training workshop, Fiji National University, Fiji.
  • 2020: Obstetric Ultrasound Basic Training, Joondalup Health Campus, Perth.
  • 2019: ISUOG Obstetric PoCUS workshop, Port Morseby General Hospital, PNG.
  • 2018: ISUOG Obstetric PoCUS workshop, Port Morseby General Hospital, PNG.

Invited Speaker

  • 2021: Fiona Stanley Hospital Ultrasound Unit: Guided by the Sonographer – AI in Ultrasound.

Supervisors

Dr Leisa Armstrong (School of Science, ECU)
Dr David Cook (School of Science, ECU)
Dr Nayana Parange (University South Australia, Adelaide)
Dr TM Sazzad (Military Inst. Science and Tech, Bangladesh)

Contact

Caterina Watson
PhD Student
School of Science
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