Joseph Hornak Headshot

Joseph Hornak

Professor

Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of Magnetic Resonance Laboratory

585-475-2904
Office Location
Office Mailing Address
54 Lomb Memorial Drive Center for Imaging Science

Joseph Hornak

Professor

Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of Magnetic Resonance Laboratory

Education

BS, Utica College of Syracuse University; MS, Purdue University; Ph.D., University of Notre Dame

Bio

My research interests span many traditional scientific disciplines with a common thread being magnetic resonance. My magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interests focus on tissue identification and classification schemes using time and spectral domain information, and the development of unique standard (called phantoms by the MRI community) for testing the performance of an MRI scanner or pulse sequence. In the field of materials science, I have interest in developing low frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (LFEPR) spectroscopy for materials characterization. Most recently, I am applying LFEPR as a non-invasive, non-destructive tool for studying ceramic objects with cultural heritage significance. My physical and analytical chemistry interests focus on using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to study dynamical processes of molecules in confined spaces. These processes include translational and rotational diffusion, and spin and surface relaxation.

Visit the RIT Magnetic Resonance Laboratory website for more information.

585-475-2904

Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Bogart, E. A., et al. "The Noninvasive Analysis of Paint Mixtures on Canvas Using an EPR MOUSE." Heritage 3. (2020): 140-151. Web.
Javier, Stephany and Joseph P. Hornak. "A Nondestructive Method of Identifying Pigments on Canvas using Low Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy." JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION 57. (2018): 73-82. Print.
Javier, Stephany and Joseph P. Hornak. "A Nondestructive Method of Identifying Pigments on Canvas Using Low Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy." Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 57. (2018): 73-82. Print.
Javier, S. and J.P. Hornak. "A Nondestructive Method of Identifying Pigments on Canvas Using Low Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy." Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 57. (2018): 73-82. Web.
Hornak, Joseph P., et al. "Low Frequency EPR and EMR Point Spectroscopy and Imaging of a Surface." Magnetic Resonance Imaging. (2015): --. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P., et al. "Low Frequency EPR and EMR Point Spectroscopy and Imaging of a Surface." Magnetic Resonance Imaging. (2015): --. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P., et al. "A Circuit for Synchronizing External Stimuli and Events to the Pulse Sequence of a Clinical Magnetic Resonance Scanner." Concepts in Magnetic Resonance Part B: Magnetic Resonance Engineering 44. 2 (2014): 50-52. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P., et al. "A Method of Switching the Signal in an MRI Phantom Based on Trace Ion Currents." Journal of Magnetic Resonance 245. (2014): 171-176. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P., et al. "The Potential of Low Frequency EPR Spectroscopy in Studying Pottery Artifacts and Pigments." MRS Proceedings 1656. (2014) Print.
Servoss, Thomas G. and Joseph P. Hornak. "Converting the chemical shift artifact to a spectral image.." Concepts in Magnetic Resonance 38A. (2011): 107-116. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P. "The 1H Nuclear Spin-Lattice and Spin-Spin Relaxation Times at BEarth of Some Liquids Associated with Environmental Spills.." Organic Geochemistry 42. (2011): 985 -990. Print.
Alfano, Bruno, et al. "An MRI Digital Brain Phantom for Validation of Segmentation Methods." Medical Image Analysis 15. (2011): 329-339. Print.
Full Length Book
Hornak, Joseph P. The Basics of NMR. 2018 ed. Henrietta, NY: Interactive Learning Software, 1997. Web.
Hornak, Joseph P. The Basics of MRI. 2018 ed. Henrietta, NY: Interactive Learning Software, 1996. Web.
Hornak, Joseph P. The Basics of MRI. (Spanish Edition) ed. Henrietta, NY: Interactive Learning Software, 2013. Web.
Hornak, Joseph P. The Basics of MRI (Spanish Version). Henrietta, New York: Interactive Learning Software, 2013. print.
Hornak, Joseph P. The Basics of MRI. Henrietta, NY: Interactive Learning Software, 2011. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P. The Basics of NMR. Henrietta, NY: Interactive Learning Software, 2011. Print.
Published Conference Proceedings
Hornak, Joseph P., William J. Ryan, and Nicholas Zumbulyadis. "Non-destructive Low Frequency EPR Spectroscopy of Pottery Standards Using Surface Coils." Proceedings of the 246th American Chemical Society National Meeting. Ed. ACS. Indianapolis, IN: n.p., 2013. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P., William J. Ryan, and Nicholas Zumbulyadis. "The Potential of Low Frequency EPR Spectroscopy in Studying Pottery Artifacts." Proceedings of the 2013 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting. Ed. MRS. Boston, MA: MRS, 2013. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P., et al. "The Potential of Low Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance for the Analysis of Cultural Heritage Artifacts." Proceedings of the Rochester Academy of Science 40th Annual Fall Scientific Paper Session. Ed. RAS. Rochester, NY: RAS, 2013. Print.
Yuan, Hongmei, et al. "A Selectable Diffusion Coefficient Phantom Based on Restricted Diffusion." Proceedings of the 19th Annual Meeting of the ISMRM. Montreal, Canada: n.p., 2011. Print.
Book Chapter
Hornak, Joseph P. "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging." Methods in Materials Research. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2012. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P. "Resonance Methods." Characterization of Materials. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2012. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P. "Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging." Methods in Materials Research. Ed. Elton N. Kaufmann. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.
Hornak, Joseph P. "Resonance Methods." Methods in Materials Research. Ed. Elton N. Kaufmann. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.
Published Article
Hornak, J.P. , G. Ferrante, A. Coy, and E.R. McCarney. “A Possible Difference in the Surface Relaxivity of Costal and Inland Sands.” TOMRJ, 3(2010): 52-56. Print. Ëœ
Moon, S.Y., J.P. Hornak. ”A Volume Resolution Phantom for MRI.” Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 28 (2010): 286-289. Print. "  Ëœ
Published Book
The Basics of MRI. Software by J.P. Hornak, 2010. Software.

Currently Teaching

CHEM-493
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research in chemistry that could be considered of an original nature.
CHEM-495
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their final two years of study.
CHEM-780
1 - 4 Credits
Chemistry project accomplished by the MS student for an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the project advisor.
CHMA-231
3 Credits
This course presents a preliminary treatment of instrumental theory and technique as well as hands on experience with modern chemical instrumentation. The course will cover the theory and implementation of spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, and chemical separations instrumentation and techniques. Instrumental techniques include: atomic and molecular emission and absorption and emission spectroscopies, atomic and molecular mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography. Students will perform experiments utilizing modern chemical instrumentation and gain experience in analyzing data and presenting results experimental results.
CHMA-311
3 Credits
This course presents a preliminary treatment of instrumental theory and technique. The course will cover the theory and implementation of spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, and chemical separations instrumentation and techniques. Instrumental techniques include: atomic and molecular emission and absorption and emission spectroscopies, atomic and molecular mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography.
CHMA-315
1 Credits
This course presents hands-on experience with modern chemical instrumentation including a number of spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, and other. The course will cover the theory of operation of each instrument, their capabilities, and their limitations. Students will perform experiments utilizing modern chemical instrumentation and gain experience in analyzing data and presenting experimental results.
IMGS-111
3 Credits
This course is an exploration of the fundamentals of imaging science and the imaging systems of the past, present, and future. Imaging systems studied include the human visual system, consumer and entertainment applications (e.g., traditional and digital photography, television, digital television, HDTV, and virtual reality); medical applications (e.g., X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI); business/document applications (e.g., impact and non-impact printing, scanners, printers, fax machines, and copiers) and systems used in remote sensing and astronomy (e.g., night-vision systems, ground- and satellite-based observatories). The laboratory component reinforces the principles and theories discussed in the lecture, while giving students experience with many imaging systems and exposure to the underlying scientific principles.
IMGS-730
3 Credits
This course is designed to teach the principles of the imaging technique called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The course covers spin physics, Fourier transforms, basic imaging principles, Fourier imaging, imaging hardware, imaging techniques, image processing, image artifacts, safety, and advanced imaging techniques.
IMGS-799
1 - 4 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed tutorial of appropriate topics that are not part of the formal curriculum. The level of study is appropriate for student in their graduate studies.
MTSE-777
3 Credits
This course is a capstone project using research facilities available inside or outside of RIT.