This outstanding cohort of scientists with diverse expertise expected to dramatically enhance CRANIA’s research capabilities
The CenteR for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application (CRANIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of six new scientists to its impressive roster of research, clinical and academic experts.
The new scientists joining team include Drs. Alexandre Boutet, Ian Connell, Michael Garton, Jürgen Germann, Brokoslaw Laschowski and Jiannis Taxidis.
The CRANIA program brings together the combined brainpower of clinicians, researchers and trainees from the KITE Research Institute, the Krembil Brain Institute, both located at UHN, as well as faculties across the University of Toronto (UofT). Its mission is to accelerate the translation of neuromodulation research into patient solutions that enhance brain health and function.
Dr. Boutet’s research interests include functional neuroimaging, brain modulation, and deep brain stimulation. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Imaging at UofT and is a neuroradiologist at Toronto Western Hospital.
Dr. Connell’s research interests are biomedical and health informatics, neurology, and artificial intelligence. He is the Director of Engineering at the Centre for Digital Therapeutics at UHN, and is an assistant professor at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at UofT.
Dr. Garton’s research interests are synthetic biology, generative artificial intelligence, and regenerative medicine. He is the Canada Research Chair in Synthetic Biology (Tier 2) and an assistant professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at UofT.
“I am thrilled to welcome this cohort of excellent scientists with such a broad range of methodological and scientific expertise,” said Dr. Luka Milosevic CRANIA’s co-Director, scientist at the Krembil Brain Institute, and assistant professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at UofT.
“We are greatly looking forward to working with them and seeing what they will accomplish in their labs, and in the context of mutli-disciplinary teams within CRANIA.”
Dr. Germann’s research focuses on imaging, advanced data modelling, statistics, and machine learning to investigate the correlates and predictors of outcomes to neurostimulation therapies. He is also a scientist at Krembil Research Institute.
Dr. Laschowski’s research focuses on computer vision and deep learning, robotics, brain-machine interfaces, and artificial intelligence. He is one of the principal investigators with the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Rehabilitation Team at KITE, and an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at UofT.
Dr. Taxidis’ research focuses on the use of optical imaging and computational modelling to study learning and memory, and the role of interneurons. He is a scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children (Neurosciences and Mental Health program) and an assistant professor at the Physiology Department at UofT.
“The addition of this group of world-class scientists will create new synergies that will significantly enhance CRANIA’s research capabilities and advance our mission of accelerating the translation of neuromodulation research into patient solutions that improve brain health and function,” said Dr. Taufik Valiante, CRANIA co-Director, UHN neurosurgeon and associate professor in the Department of Surgery at UofT.