Eloy Martínez de las Heras
Main Position: Senior Biomedical Engineer (VHIR / IDI)

Eloy Martínez de las Heras

Computational Neuroimaging & Advanced MRI Analytics

Main Current Position (2026–Present)
Senior Biomedical Engineer · Neuroradiology Section, Radiology Department (IDI), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (VHIR)
Collaborating Senior Researcher at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (IDIBAPS) · Course Instructor in AI at UOC

Contact ORCID PubMed Record VHIR Neuroradiology Clinic Profile GitHub
60+
Peer-Reviewed Papers
34
Supervised Theses
11
R&D Projects (Team Member)
39
Talks & Presentations

Professional Summary

Bridging advanced biomedical engineering methodologies with clinical neuroradiology and higher education.

I am a Senior Biomedical Engineer specializing in computational neuroimaging and artificial intelligence. In my main current appointment at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (VHIR / IDI, 2026–Present), together with my collaborative postdoctoral research at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (IDIBAPS) and academic teaching at UOC, my work focuses on developing translational image processing pipelines, deep learning algorithms, and advanced biophysical MRI modeling for neurological disorders—particularly Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and autoimmune neuroimmunological conditions.

My primary scientific contributions focus on characterizing subtle white and gray matter microstructural changes through quantitative diffusion MRI (μFA, DTI) and susceptibility mapping (QSM χ-separation), conducting multilayer network neuroscience to understand how pathology disrupts structural and functional brain connectivity, and designing predictive imaging biomarkers.

Technical Core
Quantitative MRI (QSM / χ-separation) Advanced Diffusion MRI (DWI / μFA) Deep Learning & AI (PyTorch) Connectomics & Graph Theory BIDS, MRIQC & High-Performance Computing MR Fingerprinting (MRF) Spinal Cord Toolbox (SCT) Python, MATLAB, R & Bash

Core Research Pillars

Four interconnected axes integrating biophysical modeling, AI, and clinical translation.

Microstructural & Quantitative MRI

Biophysical assays for demyelination and iron accumulation: Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM χ-separation), Microscopic Fractional Anisotropy (μFA), and DTI to characterize slowly expanding / paramagnetic rim lesions (SELs & PRLs).

QSM χ-separation μFA / DWI MR Fingerprinting

AI & Deep Learning in Neurology

Predictive neural networks to disentangle neurodegeneration from chronological aging (Brain-Predicted Disease Duration Gap), automated lesion segmentation, and synthetic MRI reconstruction.

Brain Age Gap Lesion AI Prognostic ML

Connectomics & Multiplex Networks

Multilayer and multiplex graph theory to model structural, morphological, and functional brain connectivity disruptions in Multiple Sclerosis, and biophysical simulations via The Virtual Brain.

Multilayer Connectomes Virtual Brain Cognitive Reserve

Consortia & Open Science

International multicenter MRI harmonization protocols, standardized quantitative spinal cord imaging (Nature Protocols), optic nerve visual pathway biomarkers, and reproducible open data.

Spinal Cord qMRI OCT / Visual Pathways ComBat Batching

Work Experience

Active positions and research trajectory across leading clinical and academic institutions.

2026 – Present Main Current Position

Senior Biomedical Engineer

Neuroradiology Section, Radiology Department (IDI) · Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (VHIR) · Barcelona, Spain

Leading advanced neuroimaging post-processing pipelines (QSM χ-separation, DWI, MRF, BIDS automation), artificial intelligence model development for MS lesion phenotypes, and clinical neuroradiology research integration.

07/2017 – Present Active Position

Postdoctoral Researcher (R2A) in Medical Imaging Processing

Advanced Imaging in Neuroimmunological Diseases Group · Hospital Clínic de Barcelona · IDIBAPS · Barcelona, Spain

Advanced image processing, structural and functional connectomics, and biophysical modeling in Multiple Sclerosis and neuroimmunological disorders (Supervisor: Dr. Sara Llufriu Duran).

02/2018 – Present Active Position

Collaborator · Course Instructor

Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) · Barcelona, Spain

Course Instructor for Artificial Intelligence (Master in Computational & Mathematical Engineering), Statistical Bioinformatics & Machine Learning (Master in Bioinformatics & Biostatistics), and Master's Thesis supervision in Data Science.

07/2010 – 06/2017

Predoctoral Researcher & Neuroimaging Engineer

Neuroimmunology · Multiple Sclerosis Unit · Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Spain

Conducted PhD research on diffusion MRI tractography, white matter fiber reconstruction frameworks, and brain structural connectivity in Multiple Sclerosis.

07/2009 – 07/2010

Research Fellow in Neuroimage Analysis

Fetal and Perinatal Research Group · Fundació Clínic Barcelona, Spain

Conducted biomedical research fellowship in neuroimaging processing and anatomical volumetric analysis.

University Education

Academic degrees and doctoral specialization in biomedical engineering and medicine.

CUM LAUDE
PhD in Medicine and Translational Research
University of Barcelona, Spain · 2014 – 2017

Thesis: Development of an improved framework for tractography reconstruction of white matter fibers based on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and its implementation in the study of structural connectivity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Supervisors: Dr. Sara Llufriu Duran and Dr. Alberto Prats Galino.

Postgraduate Degree
Postgraduate in Data Science and Big Data
University of Barcelona, Spain · July 2021

Advanced specialization in Big Data architectures, machine learning algorithms, statistical data analysis, and scalable computing.

120 ECTS
Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering
University of Barcelona · Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UB - UPC) · 2007 – 2009

Master's Thesis: Development and calibration of the portable gamma camera in SPECT imaging with parallel collimator.

Engineering Degree
Chemical Engineering
Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain · July 2007

Final Year Research: Extraction of carboxylic acids using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at Université ENSACIET · Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle in Toulouse, France (Oct 2005 – Jun 2006).

Main Research Contributions

Highlighting contributions specifically as First Author, Co-First Author (*), Senior Author, Corresponding Author (✉), and Book Chapters. See full 60+ bibliography on PubMed or ORCID.

Full PubMed Record (60+)
Book Chapter · First Contributor 2026

Advances in diffusion MRI in multiple sclerosis

Martinez-Heras E, Vivó F, Solana E, Llufriu S, Prados F.

In: Advances in Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Neurodegenerative Diseases Research (Academic Press / Elsevier, 2026) · DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-443-23812-3.00008-4 · ScienceDirect

First Author Co-First Author (*)
2026

Cognitive outcomes in multiple sclerosis are shaped by divergent functional connectivity trajectories

Martinez-Heras E*, Lopez-Soley E*, Cabras C, Vivó F, Calvi A, ..., Llufriu S.

Brain Communications (2026) 8(1):fcaf489 · DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf489 · PMID: 41523184

Joint Senior Author (*) 2025-2026

Diffusivity anisotropy signature of slowly expanding lesions predicts progression independent of relapse activity in multiple sclerosis

Calvi A, Vivó Pascual F, Solana E, Lopez-Soley E, ..., Martinez-Heras E*, Llufriu S*.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (JNNP) (2025) 97(5):405-412 · DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2025-335884 · PMID: 40897401

Senior Author Corresponding Author
2024

Microscopic fractional anisotropy outperforms multiple sclerosis lesion assessment and clinical outcome associations over standard fractional anisotropy tensor

Vivó F, Solana E, Calvi A, Lopez-Soley E, Reid LB, ..., Saiz A, Llufriu S, Martinez-Heras E✉.

Human Brain Mapping (2024) 45(8):e26706 · DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26706 · PMID: 38867646

First Author 2023

Diffusion-based structural connectivity patterns of multiple sclerosis phenotypes

Martinez-Heras E, Solana E, Vivó F, Lopez-Soley E, Calvi A, ..., Llufriu S.

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (JNNP) (2023) 94(11):901-909 · DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-331531 · PMID: 37321841

Co-First Author (*) Corresponding Author
2023

Diffusion tensor imaging metrics associated with future disability in multiple sclerosis

Lopez-Soley E*, Martinez-Heras E*✉, Solana E*, Solanes A, Radua J, ..., Saiz A, Llufriu S.

Scientific Reports (2023) 13(1):3565 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30502-5 · PMID: 36864113

Co-First Author (*) 2022

Applying multilayer analysis to morphological, structural, and functional brain networks to identify relevant dysfunction patterns

Casas-Roma J*, Martinez-Heras E*, Solé-Ribalta A, Solana E, Lopez-Soley E, ..., Prados F.

Network Neuroscience (2022) 6(4):1128-1148 · DOI: 10.1162/netn_a_00258 · PMID: 36605412

First Author Corresponding Author Review
2021

Diffusion-Weighted Imaging: Recent Advances and Applications

Martinez-Heras E✉, Grussu F, Prados F, Solana E, Llufriu S, Thomas DL.

Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI (2021) 42(5):489-506 · DOI: 10.1053/j.sult.2021.07.006 · PMID: 34537117

Co-First Author (*) Corresponding Author
2021

Regional grey matter microstructural changes and volume loss according to disease duration in multiple sclerosis patients

Solana E*, Martinez-Heras E*✉, Montal V*, Vilaplana E, Lopez-Soley E, ..., Llufriu S.

Scientific Reports (2021) 11(1):16822 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96132-x · PMID: 34413373

First Author Co-First Author (*)
2020

Characterization of multiple sclerosis lesions with distinct clinical correlates through quantitative diffusion MRI

Martínez-Heras E*, Solana E*, Prados F, Andorrà M, Solanes A, ..., Llufriu S.

NeuroImage: Clinical (2020) 28:102411 · DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102411 · PMID: 32950904

Co-First Author (*) 2019

Modified connectivity of vulnerable brain nodes in multiple sclerosis, their impact on cognition and their discriminative value

Solana E*, Martinez-Heras E*, Casas-Roma J, Calvet L, Lopez-Soley E, ..., Llufriu S.

Scientific Reports (2019) 9(1):20172 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56806-z · PMID: 31882922

Co-First Author (*) 2018

Magnetic resonance markers of tissue damage related to connectivity disruption in multiple sclerosis

Solana E*, Martinez-Heras E*, Martinez-Lapiscina EH, Sepulveda M, Sola-Valls N, ..., Llufriu S.

NeuroImage: Clinical (2018) 20:161-168 · DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.07.012 · PMID: 30094165

Co-First Author (*) 2017

Structural networks involved in attention and executive functions in multiple sclerosis

Llufriu S*, Martinez-Heras E*, Solana E, Sola-Valls N, Sepulveda M, ..., Saiz A.

NeuroImage: Clinical (2017) 13:488-496 · DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.11.026 · PMID: 28050344

First Author 2015

Improved Framework for Tractography Reconstruction of the Optic Radiation

Martínez-Heras E, Varriano F, Prčkovska V, Laredo C, Andorrà M, ..., Llufriu S.

PLoS ONE (2015) 10(9):e0137064 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137064 · PMID: 26376179

Code Project Name Agency / Fund Duration Role
PI24/00567 MS Disability Accumulation: combined models of damage, repair and reserve Instituto de Salud Carlos III 2025 - 2027 Team Member
2021-SGR-01325 Grup d'Imatge Avançada en Malalties Neuroimmunològiques (ImaginEM) AGAUR 2022 - 2024 Team Member
PI21/01189 Neuroimaging multi-modal approach (daMoS) Instituto Carlos III (IDIBAPS) 2022 - 2024 Team Member
TV3_Ictus_17 Blood brain barrier disruption after subarachnoid hemorrhage Fundació La Marató de TV3 2018 - 2023 Team Member
PI18/01030 Rehabilitación cognitiva y plasticidad cerebral en la esclerosis múltiple Instituto de Salud Carlos III 2019 - 2021 Team Member
RD16/0015/0002 Redes temáticas de investigación (REEM) IDIBAPS 2017 - 2021 Team Member
PI15/00587 Biomarcadores de RM avanzada en esclerosis múltiple Instituto de Salud Carlos III 2016 - 2020 Team Member
CEIC 7965 Non-conventional MRI as predictive marker of treatment response TEVA Spain SLU 2013 - 2018 Team Member
RD12/0032/0002 Red Española de Esclerosis Múltiple (REEM) Ministerio de Sanidad 2013 - 2016 Team Member
- Rehabilitación cognitiva y plasticidad cerebral en la Esclerosis Múltiple Fundación Merck Salud 2017 - 2021 Team Member

Supervision of approved Final Master Projects (TFM) at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) for the Data Science and Bioinformatics programs.

Semester Project Title Grade
2024/25 (Jul 2025) Brain areas related to reduced serial dependence in antiNMDAR encephalitis and schizophrenia: an fMRI study
Master's Thesis in Brain and Cognition (Universitat Pompeu Fabra - UPF) · Student: Raneem Shtaya · Supervisor: Albert Compte · Co-advisor: Eloy Martínez · Defense: 29/July/2025 		UPF Thesis
2024/25 S2 Lesion Segmentation in Multiple Sclerosis: A Deep Learning Approach for Accurate Detection 9.5
2024/25 S2 Multimodal brain network integration using graph theoretical analysis in people with multiple sclerosis 9.4
2024/25 S2 Aplicación de modelos de clasificación mediante técnicas avanzadas de ML para el análisis de redes cerebrales en EM 7.4
2024/25 S1 Study of transcriptomics-defined cellular populations in the mouse dentate gyrus and its alteration in epilepsy 9.6
2024/25 S1 Anàlisi de xarxes cerebrals multimodals mitjançant la teoria de grafs en pacients amb Esclerosi Múltiple 7.4
2024/25 S1 Detección de Lesiones Nuevas o Cambiantes en Esclerosis Múltiple 6.3
2023/24 S2 A Classification Model Approach to Brain Imaging: Understanding Fear Conditioning 9.0
2023/24 S2 Synap-Net: Synchronized Neural Analysis of Stroke in FLAIR images through nnU-NET 8.8
2023/24 S2 Detecció automàtica de lesions cròniques actives (o d'expansió lenta) mitjançant ressonància magnètica convencional 8.1
2023/24 S1 From brain disconnection to atrophy: Assessing multi-modal brain network connectivity measures in MS 9.4
2023/24 S1 Longitudinal MRI analysis for Slowly Expanding Lesions (SELs) characterization through nnU-NET 9.3
2023/24 S1 Characterisation of structural connectivity in relation to cognitive profiles in patients with multiple sclerosis 9.0
2023/24 S1 Integració multimodal de connectivitat estructural i funcional cerebral en la detecció d’Esclerosis Múltiple 8.3
2022/23 S2 Automated Identification of Initial and Progressing MS Indicators through multiclass detection of Baseline and New Lesions 9.7
2022/23 S2 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) image translation with Cycle-consistency GAN 9.7
2022/23 S2 Multilayer approach to diagnose and classify Multiple Sclerosis phenotypes using graph theory measures 9.4
2022/23 S2 Estudio de la conectividad estructural, morfológica y funcional del cerebro en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple 8.2
2022/23 S1 Detección de nuevas lesiones en Esclerosis Múltiple en estudios longitudinales de RM 9.8
2022/23 S1 Detección de lesiones nuevas o cambiantes en EM 9.8
2022/23 S1 Detección de Lesiones de Esclerosis Múltiple (EM) a través de Deep Learning 7.5
2021/22 S2 Detección de lesiones nuevas o cambiantes en EM 8.7
2020/21 S2 Detección de lesiones nuevas o cambiantes en EM 8.8
2020/21 S2 Detección de lesiones nuevas o cambiantes en EM 8.3
2019/20 S2 Segmentación automática de lesiones en EM 9.3
2019/20 S2 Segmentación automática de lesiones en EM 7.3
2019/20 S1 Caracterización del colapso de la red cerebral en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple mediante análisis de grafos 9.7
2019/20 S1 Segmentación de Lesiones del Cerebro en la Esclerosis Múltiple con Redes Neuronales Convolucionales 7.5
2019/20 S1 Optimización de la arquitectura de red neuronal convolucional (FLEXCONN) 7.2
2018/19 S2 ML-7. Segmentación automática de lesiones en EM 9.7
2018/19 S2 Estudio de la red cerebral mediante grafos 7.9
2018/19 S2 Estudio de la red cerebral mediante grafos 7.1
2017/18 S2 Aplicación de algoritmos de aprendizaje automático para predecir la disfunción cognitiva en pacientes de EM 9.0
Current Academic Role · 2024/25
Course Instructor: Artificial Intelligence

Master's Degree in Computational & Mathematical Engineering (UOC)

Bioinformatics & ML
Statistical Bioinformatics & Machine Learning

Interuniversity Master in Bioinformatics & Biostatistics (UOC · UB)

Collaborations as Course Instructor and Tutor for various University Master's Degree programs.

Semester Role Subject / Activity Official Program
2024/25 Sem 2Course InstructorArtificial Intelligence Featured AI CourseMaster in Computational & Math. Engineering
2024/25 Sem 2Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2024/25 Sem 2Course InstructorStatistical Bioinformatics & MLMaster in Bioinformatics & Biostatistics
2024/25 Sem 2TutorMaster's TutoringMaster in Data Science
2024/25 Sem 1Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2023/24 Sem 2Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2023/24 Sem 2TutorMaster's TutoringMaster in Data Science
2023/24 Sem 1Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2023/24 Sem 1Course InstructorStatistical Bioinformatics & MLMaster in Bioinformatics & Biostatistics
2023/24 Sem 1TutorMaster's TutoringMaster in Data Science
2022/23 Sem 2Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2022/23 Sem 2TutorMaster's TutoringMaster in Data Science
2022/23 Sem 1Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2022/23 Sem 1TutorMaster's TutoringMaster in Data Science
2021/22 Sem 2Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2021/22 Sem 2TutorMaster's TutoringMaster in Data Science
2021/22 Sem 1Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2021/22 Sem 1TutorMaster's TutoringMaster in Data Science
2020/21 Sem 2Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2019/20 Sem 2Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2019/20 Sem 1Course InstructorTFM - Area 3Master in Data Science
2018/19 Sem 2Course InstructorFMP - Data Mining & MLMaster in Data Science
2017/18 Sem 2Course InstructorFinal Master's Degree ProjectMaster in Data Science
  • Oct 2019 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the ESMRMB (Rotterdam). Scientific Sessions A-1330.
  • June 2019 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (Rome, Italy).
  • Jan 2018 Spinal Cord MRI workshop@UCL (London, UK).
  • Oct 2017 School on brain connectomics (Verona, Italy).
  • June 2016 ESMRMB course of clinical fMRI & DTI (Barcelona, Spain).
  • Oct 2015 31st Congress of ECTRIMS (Barcelona, Spain).
  • Oct 2013 ISMRM Workshop on Diffusion (Podstrana, Croatia).
  • June 2011 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (Québec City, Canada).
  • Sept 2010 2nd National Course of SPM (Barcelona, Spain).
Year Presentation Title Event / Location
2025What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2025Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic
2025Therapeutic images: healing, visuality and trustVisualTrust Congress, Barcelona
2025Workflow in neuroimaging research (RICORS)Internal/Hospital Clínic
2024Advanced Imaging in neuroimmunological diseases (KISTEP)Internal/Hospital Clínic
2024Deep Learning: Introducción y aplicación en la neuroimagenInternal/Hospital Clínic
2024Practical use of synthetic imaging (Uso práctico de la imagen sintética)Internal/Hospital Clínic
2024What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2024Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic
2023Adaptability of advanced MR imaging techniques to clinical researchInternal/Hospital Clínic
2023Integration of automated MRI Image processing into XNAT platformInternal/Hospital Clínic
2023How quantitative images are processed: obtaining values of cerebral and spinal atrophyInternal/Hospital Clínic
2023What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2023Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic
2022medical image storage and processing infrastructure (XNAT)Internal/Hospital Clínic
2022Deep Learning: Introducción y aplicación en la neuroimagenInternal/Hospital Clínic
2022How quantitative images are processed: obtaining values of cerebral and spinal atrophyInternal/Hospital Clínic
2022What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2022Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic
2021Advanced diffusion-weighted imaging: Quantitative microstructure propertiesInternal/Hospital Clínic
2021How quantitative images are processed: obtaining values of cerebral and spinal atrophyInternal/Hospital Clínic
2021What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2021Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic
2020Open Science Resources: New insights for researchersInternal/Hospital Clínic
2020medical image storage and processing infrastructure (XNAT)Internal/Hospital Clínic
2020How quantitative images are processed: obtaining values of cerebral and spinal atrophyInternal/Hospital Clínic
2020What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2020Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic
2019Microscopic diffusion anisotropy imaging as potential biomarker for MSInternal/Hospital Clínic
2019How quantitative images are processed: obtaining values of cerebral and spinal atrophyInternal/Hospital Clínic
2019What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2019Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic
2018Structural connectivity in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitisInternal/Hospital Clínic
2018High order tractography models to obtain a more reliable structural connectivityInternal/Hospital Clínic
2018Quantitative MRI of the spinal cordInternal/Hospital Clínic
2018How quantitative images are processed: obtaining values of cerebral and spinal atrophyInternal/Hospital Clínic
2018What advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques areInternal/Hospital Clínic
2018Deep learning: introduction and application in neuroimagingInternal/Hospital Clínic