Elfar's research area is medical imaging with magnetic resonance, focusing on optimal methods for acquisition, reconstruction and processing of in vivo imaging data. His interests include techniques for efficient sampling and spatial encoding of spectroscopic magnetic resonance data, whereby small signals, originating, for example, specifically from neurons in the brain, yield information not observed with conventional structural imaging. Applications of these and related methods include a study of the progression of Alzheimer's disease and characterization of Multiple Sclerosis.
Elfar was previously a member of the Richard M. Lucas Center for Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Imaging at Stanford University. He received his MS and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1991 and 1995. He received his bachelor's degree summa cum laude in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iceland in 1989. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Stanford as well as recipient of an award from the American-Scandinavian Foundation.
Outside of academia, Elfar spends time with his family, including two children. On occasion, he practices Argentine tango with ample enthusiasm but limited skill.