Rickson C. Mesquita
Associate Professor
School of Computer Science
University of Birmingham
About
I am an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, UK. My research lies at the intersection of optical imaging, computational modelling, and network science, with a particular focus on using near-infrared light to study biological tissue non-invasively. I am particularly interested in combining optical and wearable sensors with computational methods for developing innovative signal processing and biophysical modelling to inform about human physiology and brain health.
A central goal of my work is to quantify physiological-based quantities relevant to health and disease, while advancing near-infrared methods as a tool to assess brain health. I am particularly interested in understanding brain function and how its complexity and dynamics can be captured through diffuse optical methods such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and speckle-based methods. My research spans clinical neurophotonics, biophysical modelling, and the study of brain complexity in both health and disease, with focus on brain injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental health.
Research Interests
Diffuse Optics
I develop and apply near-infrared optical techniques to non-invasively study tissue physiology, with a focus on improving quantitative accuracy and clinical translation.
Systems Neuroimaging
My work explores the brain’s functional connectivity and network dynamics using diffuse optics, particularly at the mesoscopic scale where systems neuroscience meets physiology.
AI & Signal Processing in Medicine
I use AI and spatiotemporal signal processing to extract patterns from physiological signals, enhance signal quality, and predict clinical outcomes.
STEM Education
My teaching draws from and feeds into my research, and includes developing and assessing learning in STEM based on cognitive neuroscience.
Latest Publications
M. A. Yücel, R. Luke, R. C. Mesquita, A. von Lühmann et al. (2025). fNIRS reproducibility varies with data quality, analysis pipelines, and researcher experience. Communications Biology [in press]
G. G. Martins, R. M. Forti, R. C. Mesquita (2025). Influence of tissue curvature on the absolute quantification in frequency-domain diffuse optical spectroscopy. Spectroscopy Journal [link]
V. Sánchez, L F. Bortoletto, C. G. Mazala, A. Quiroga, S. Novi, R. C. Mesquita (2025). Disrupted functional connectivity in carotid artery stenosis patients: insights from fNIRS during a vasoreactivity test. Brain Organoid and Systems Neuroscience Journal [link]
K. Kazazian, A. Abdalmalak, S. L. Novi, L. Norton, R. Moulavi-Ardakani, M. Kolisnyk, T. E. Gofton, R. C. Mesquita, A. M. Owen, D. B. Debicki (2024). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy: a novel tool for detecting consciousness after acute severe brain injury. PNAS [link]
Noteworthy Publications
K. Kazazian, A. Abdalmalak, S. L. Novi, L. Norton, R. Moulavi-Ardakani, M. Kolisnyk, T. E. Gofton, R. C. Mesquita, A. M. Owen, D. B. Debicki (2024). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy: a novel tool for detecting consciousness after acute severe brain injury. PNAS [link]
H. Ayaz et al. (2022). Optical imaging and spectroscopy for the study of the human brain: status report. Neurophotonics [link]
W. B. Baker et al. (2017). Noninvasive optical monitoring of critical closing pressure and arteriole compliance in human subjects. J. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. [link]
S. L. Novi, R. B. M. L. Rodrigues, R. C. Mesquita (2016). Resting state connectivity patterns with near-infrared spectroscopy data of the whole head. Biomed. Opt. Express [link]
C. G. Favilla, R. C. Mesquita, M. Mullen et al. (2014). Optical bedside monitoring of cerebral blood flow in acute ischemic stroke patients during head-of-bed manipulation. Stroke [link]
R. C. Mesquita, A. D’Souza, T. V. Bilfinger et al. (2013). Optical monitoring and detection of spinal cord ischemia. PLOS One [link]
R. C. Mesquita, T. Durduran, G. Yu, . M. Buckley, M. N. Kim, C. Zhou, R. Choe, U. Sunar, A. G. Yodh (2011). Direct measurement of tissue blood flow and metabolism with diffuse optics. Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. A [link]
R. C. Mesquita, A. G. Yodh (2011). Diffuse Optics: fundamentals and tissue applications. Proceedings of the International School of Physics “Enrico Fermi” [link]
R. C. Mesquita, M. A. Franceschini, D. A. Boas (2010). Resting state functional connectivity of the whole head with near-infrared spectroscopy. Biomed. Opt. Express [link]
R. C. Mesquita, T. J. Huppert, D. A. Boas (2009). Exploring neuro-vascular and neuro-metabolic coupling in rat somatosensory cortex. Phys. Med. Biol. [link]
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Contacts
Address
Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK B15 2TT