What would a discussion about brain evolution be without the mention of the technology that made study of the human brain possible?

As part of the UA’s 2014 Science Lecture Series “The Evolving Brain,” Dr. Diego Martin, head of the department of medical imaging in the UA College of Medicine, will give a lecture entitled “A Window into the Brain: Viewed through the Evolution of MRI Technology.”

During the lecture, Martin will walk the audience through the evolution of MRI technology, explaining significant steps in the technology’s development and highlighting the people who made it happen.

“The audience is a non-medical audience, and the opportunity to share with them the technologies that have transformed disease and our understanding of how the brain works is very important,” Martin said.

MRI testing has been a significant factor in the continued growth in understanding the evolution of the human brain, Martin added.

“It’s very important to understand the development of technology and the human component to it,” he said. “I want to awaken the awareness to one of the most transformative technologies in the developing world.”

Martin’s lecture will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday in Centennial Hall. All lectures in the series are free to the public.