Bang-bon B. Koo, PhD

Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. Koo's research interests span the areas of neuroimaging, particularly the development of multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analysis methods. Neuroimaging commonly aims to identify difference between healthy and unhealthy brains in a quantitative way. However, due to the complexity of the human brain, it is extremely difficult to analyze early stage or slow disease progressions from visually inspecting the image. Dr. Koo's work focuses on developing novel imaging protocols and mapping methods with better sensitivities on monitoring neurological and functional changes in the brain. Dr. Koo also serves as an imaging core director at National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratories (NEIDL). The goal is to develop multimodal imaging protocol that allows in-vivo monitoring on different stages of tissue inflammatory/immune responses.

Publications

  • Published 1/27/2026

    Zeldich D, Cheng CH, Guan Y, Narain S, Koo BB. Apolipoprotein E4 and its later-life health effects on the multiple sclerosis population. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2026; 12(1):20552173251387833. PMID: 41613276.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 12/2/2025

    Mackie EC, Cheng CH, Alibrio MN, Rutledge C, Xin H, Chopp M, McCann RP, Rosene DL, Yang Q, Zeldich E, Medalla M, Koo BB, Moore TL. Mesenchymal cell-derived extracellular vesicles ameliorate age-related deficits in working memory and in vivo MRI measures of white matter structure and function in rhesus monkeys. Geroscience. 2025 Dec 02. PMID: 41329450.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/13/2025

    Gordon S, Lee JS, Scott TM, Bhupathiraju S, Ordovas J, Kelly RS, Bhadelia R, Koo BB, Bigornia S, Tucker KL, Palacios N. Metabolites and MRI-derived markers of dementia risk in a Puerto Rican cohort. Metabolomics. 2025 Nov 13; 21(6):161. PMID: 41233603.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/6/2025

    Chen F, Guan Y, Koo BB, Scott TM, Li W, Mangano KM, Garelnabi M, Bhadelia R, Tucker KL. Associations of serum magnesium and magnesium intake with brain morphology and cognitive function in Puerto Rican adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2025 Nov 06; 80(12). PMID: 41191668.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 9/30/2024

    Cheng CH, Guan Y, Chiplunkar VP, Mortazavi F, Medalla ML, Sullivan K, O'Callaghan JP, Koo BB, Kelly KA, Michalovicz LT. Nerve agent exposure and physiological stress alter brain microstructure and immune profiles after inflammatory challenge in a long-term rat model of Gulf War Illness. Brain Behav Immun Health. 2024 Dec; 42:100878. PMID: 39430882.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 62 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Faculty, National Emerging Infectious Disease Lab
    Boston University
  • Graduate Medical Sciences Educator and Mentor (Primary Mentor of Graduate Students)
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences

Websites

Education

  • Hanyang University, PhD
  • Hanyang University, MS
  • Hanyang University, BS

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