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) · Teaching Collaborator (AI & Data Science) at UOC

Contact ORCID PubMed Record VHIR Neuroradiology Clinic Profile GitHub
60+
Peer-Reviewed Papers
40+
Supervised TFMs
9
R&D Projects (Team Member)
40+
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 teaching collaborations 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 advanced diffusion MRI (μFA, DTI), authoring major reviews on dMRI, lesion segmentation, optic nerve imaging and artificial intelligence in neurology, reconstructing optic pathways via fiber tractography, and conducting multilayer connectomics to understand how pathology disrupts structural and functional brain networks.

Technical Core
Automated Lesion Segmentation & AI 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 grounded in first-author, review, and senior contributions across dMRI, lesion segmentation, optic nerve imaging, and AI.

Advanced Diffusion MRI (dMRI) & Microstructure

Comprehensive state-of-the-art review and biophysical modeling: Microscopic Fractional Anisotropy (μFA), DTI, and non-Gaussian diffusion to characterize slowly expanding lesions (SELs), microstructural damage, and long-term disability accumulation in Multiple Sclerosis (Semin Ultrasound CT MR review 2021, Elsevier 2026, JNNP 2025/2023).

μFA / DWI dMRI State-of-Art Review Slowly Expanding Lesions (SELs)

Automated Lesion Segmentation & AI

Comprehensive state-of-the-art reviews and translational deep learning pipelines: Longitudinal multiple sclerosis lesion segmentation reviews, artificial intelligence in MS, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), lesion probability mapping, synthetic MRI, and prognostic machine learning (Neuroradiology review 2022, Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep review 2024, BMC Med Imaging, Magn Reson Med).

Automated Lesion Segmentation AI in MS Reviews Deep Learning (PyTorch)

Optic Nerve, Visual Pathways & Tractography

State-of-the-art review on MRI optic nerve segmentation, high-order diffusion tractography reconstruction frameworks for the optic radiation in clinical/surgical planning, and trans-synaptic visual pathway neurodegeneration (Mult Scler Relat Disord review 2025, PLoS ONE 2015, Hum Brain Mapp 2021).

Optic Nerve Review 2025 Optic Radiation Tractography Visual Pathways

Multilayer Connectomics & Complex Networks

Multilayer and multiplex graph theory integrating structural, morphological, and functional brain networks to identify dysfunction patterns, cognitive decline trajectories, and network collapse in neuroimmunology (Netw Neurosci 2022, Mol Psychiatry 2023, Neuroimage Clin 2024).

Multilayer Connectomics Functional Trajectories Multiplex Networks

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 – 2025 Teaching Collaborator

Teaching 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 Final Projects (TFM) 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

Competitive R&D projects funded by national and international agencies in which I participate as a team member.

Code Project Title & PI Funding Agency / Institution Duration Role
PI24/00567 El acúmulo de la discapacidad en la esclerosis múltiple: modelos combinados de daño, reparación y reserva cerebral y medular en neuroimagen y biomarcadores sanguíneos
PI: Llufriu Duran, Sara 		Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2027 Team Member
2021-SGR-01325 Grup d'Imatge Avançada en Malalties Neuroimmunològiques (ImaginEM) Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR) 01/01/2022 – 31/12/2024 Team Member
PI21/01189 Neuroimaging multi-modal approach to understand mechanisms of tissue DAmage in Multiple sclerosis patients and predictive models (daMoS) Instituto Carlos III (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) · IDIBAPS 01/01/2022 – 31/12/2024 Team Member
EME-REEM 2023 Asociación de los niveles de GFAP y NFL en suero con el daño neuroaxonal y la progresión en la esclerosis múltiple
PI: Llufriu Duran, Sara 		Esclerosis Múltiple España 25/10/2023 – 25/10/2024 Team Member
TV3_Ictus_17 Blood brain barrier disruption after subarachnoid hemorrhage: clinical relevance, role of hyperglycemia and effect of potentiating endogenous antioxidant mechanisms. A translational study Fundació La Marató de TV3 · IDIBAPS 10/07/2018 – 31/01/2023 Team Member
PI18/01030 Rehabilitación cognitiva y plasticidad cerebral en la esclerosis múltiple: en búsqueda de la evidencia Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS-ISCIII) · IDIBAPS 01/01/2019 – 31/12/2021 Team Member
PI15/00587 Biomarcadores de resonancia magnética avanzada en esclerosis múltiple: asociación con el perfil clínico evolutivo y el sustrato genético Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) · IDIBAPS 01/01/2016 – 30/11/2020 Team Member
CEIC 7965 Non-conventional MRI as predictive marker of treatment response TEVA Spain SLU · IDIBAPS 01/03/2013 – 31/12/2018 Team Member
Merck Salud Rehabilitación cognitiva y plasticidad cerebral en la Esclerosis Múltiple: evaluación a través de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado y controlado Fundación Merck Salud · IDIBAPS 01/06/2017 – 01/07/2021 Team Member

Master's Theses Supervision (TFM)

Academic supervision and advising for Master's Final Projects (TFM) across data science, artificial intelligence, and cognitive neuroscience.

External University Co-Advising 2025
Brain areas related to reduced serial dependence in antiNMDAR encephalitis and schizophrenia: an fMRI study

Program: 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
Course Instruction & Supervision 40+ TFMs
Supervision of 40+ Master's Final Projects (TFM)

Institution: Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) · University Master in Data Science

Subject: M2.980 – M2.880 · TFM - Area 3 (12 ECTS credits)

Course instruction, academic mentoring, and evaluation of over 40 successfully approved Master's Final Projects (TFM) in Data Science, with a focus on machine learning algorithms, deep learning (CNNs, nnU-Net, GANs), brain network analysis, graph theory, and automated multiple sclerosis lesion segmentation.

Teaching Collaboration
Course Instructor: Artificial Intelligence

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

Teaching Collaboration
Statistical Bioinformatics & Machine Learning

Interuniversity Master in Bioinformatics & Biostatistics (UOC · UB)

Teaching collaborations as Course Instructor and Tutor for 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
  • Sept 2025 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). September 24–26, 2025 · Barcelona, Spain.
  • April 2025 International Conference on Image-Assessment (hosted by the Visual Trust ERC Project at the Universitat de Barcelona). Talk in Session 4: “Therapeutic images: healing, visuality, and trust”. April 29, 2025 · Barcelona, Spain.
  • Oct 2023 39th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). October 11–13, 2023 · Milan, Italy.
  • Oct 2022 38th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). October 26–28, 2022 · Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  • April 2022 Scientific Session of Seminar at IDIBAPS. Talk: “XNAT: medical image storage and processing infrastructure”. April 20, 2022 · Barcelona, Spain.
  • Oct 2019 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the ESMRMB (Rotterdam, Netherlands). Scientific Sessions A-1330.
  • June 2019 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) (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 (OHBM) (Québec City, Canada).
  • Sept 2010 2nd National Course of SPM (Barcelona, Spain).

Oral Presentations & Invited Talks

Selected international congress presentations, invited scientific sessions, and hospital seminars.

International Oral Presentation Oct 2019
Microscopic Diffusion Anisotropy Imaging As Potential Biomarker For The Pathogenesis Of Multiple Sclerosis Lesions

Conference: 36th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology (ESMRMB 2019) · Rotterdam, Netherlands

  • Session: Scientific Session S01.06 · Diffusion Imaging (Abstract ID: A-1330)
  • Date & Venue: October 3, 2019 · Room 2 (Van Weelde Zaal)
  • Presenter: Eloy Martinez-Heras
Congress Talk April 2025
Therapeutic images: healing, visuality, and trust

Conference: International Conference on Image-Assessment (Visual Trust ERC Project · Universitat de Barcelona)

  • Session: Session 4 · Therapeutic images: healing, visuality, and trust
  • Date & Venue: April 29, 2025 · Barcelona, Spain
  • Speaker: Eloy Martinez-Heras
+35 Internal & Hospital Clínic Seminars and Scientific Sessions (2018–2025)

Regular invited seminars, technical workshops, and training sessions delivered at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona / IDIBAPS, covering advanced diffusion MRI microstructural properties (μFA, DTI), automated cerebral and spinal cord atrophy quantification pipelines, deep learning and synthetic MRI in neuroimaging, and medical image computing infrastructures (XNAT, BIDS, RICORS).