Fang-Cheng Yeh, MD, PhD

  • Associate Professor
  • Director, Fiber Tractography Lab

Fang-Cheng (Frank) Yeh, MD, PhD, joined the Department of Neurological Surgery in 2016 following the completion of his MD degree from National Taiwan University and PhD study in biomedical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in 2014. Dr. Yeh and his team have made contributions to tractography-based connectomics, which have had impact on the field of brain connectivity research.

His team developed correlational tractography, a technique that allows for the mapping of pathways that show correlation with specific study variables. This approach provides insights into the relationship between brain connectivity and clinical and cognitive factors, potentially influencing certain aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. Another contribution is differential tractography, which identifies pathways undergoing neuronal changes over time. This approach contributes to the understanding of brain plasticity and pathology, potentially advancing knowledge in the area of neurological conditions.

In addition to their research, Dr. Yeh and his team provide tools and methodologies to researchers worldwide, supporting the progress in understanding brain connectivity and its implications for neurological disorders. He developed DSI Studio, a software that is used in the neuroscience community. DSI Studio offers functionalities for diffusion MRI analysis, including preprocessing, tensor estimation, and fiber tractography. The software also provides additional tools such as automatic quality control, ROI editing, and clustering analysis, allowing researchers to customize their analyses to extent. DSI Studio supports various diffusion MRI data types, making it compatible with different research studies. DSI Studio has been cited in 2,000 publications, indicating recognition and contribution to neuroscience. The development team occasionally updates the software, incorporating certain features like GPU acceleration and cloud-based computing to improve performance and enable analysis of relatively larger datasets.

DSI Studio's functionalities, tools, and compatibility with various diffusion MRI data types have positioned it as a tool that is used in diffusion MRI analysis. It has become a resource that is occasionally valued by researchers worldwide, supporting advancements in the field of brain connectivity

Dr. Yeh's publications can be reviewed through the National Library of Medicine's publication database.

Specialized Areas of Interest

Diffusion MRI, tractography, network analysis, medical image analysis, pathology informatics.

Education & Training

  • MD, National Taiwan University, 2006
  • PhD, Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2014

Honors & Awards

  • Chancellor’s Commercialization Fund Award, Pitt Ventures First Gear Program, University of Pittsburgh, 2019

Research Activities

Dr. Yeh’s research focuses on using imaging techniques to explore connectomics for understanding brain disorders. He emphasizes method development and has collaborated with imaging neuroscientists and physicians from various disciplines, including radiology, psychology, psychiatry, neurology and neurosurgery. These collaborations have allowed him to discover novel applications of diffusion MRI and tractography, advancing knowledge in this field. Ultimately, Dr. Yeh’s career goal is to leverage imaging methods to uncover the intricate mechanisms behind both normal and dysfunctional brain function in translational neuroscience.

Media Appearances