Core Staff

Joe Gati

Core Director (CFMM), Adjunct Research Professor (Medical Biophysics) and Research Scientist (Western University)

Research Interests / Specializations: Medical Biophysics, Novel MRI contrast and high resolution functional MRI
Biography: Joe has been involved in the forefront of high (3T, 4T) and ultra-high field (7T, 9.4T, 15.2T) MRI research, leading the development, implementation and successful execution of unique and novel applications for the past 28 years. Responsible for the integration of new technologies (hardware and software), improvement and evolution of the data acquisition process as well as providing scanning consultation to the hundreds of collaborators. The unique infrastructure, expansive collaborations, along with the novel developments and procedures make the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping (CFMM), Canada's National Ultra-High Field MRI Platform, amongst the top MRI core facilities in the world. These experiences has made Joe an expert investigating anatomical, metabolic and functional characteristics of normal brain development and healthy ageing across the lifespan; as well as establishing the brain basis of developmental, neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative deficits.

Martyn Klassen

Research Scientist

Biography: Dr. L. Martyn Klassen holds degrees in Chemical Physics (Honors B.Sc.) from Simon Fraser University and Medical Physics (Ph.D.) from the University of Western Ontario. Current research focuses on pulse sequence design and image reconstruction with a focus on B1 mapping, shimming and accelerated imaging for frequency mapping and functional imaging. In addition, he administrates the computation infrastructure necessary to support the MRI systems and supervises the software development efforts within the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping.

Kyle Gilbert

Senior RF Engineer (CFMM), Adjunct Research Professor (Medical Biophysics) and Research Scientist (Western University)

Biography: Dr. Kyle Gilbert holds degrees in Biophysics (Honours B.Sc.) from the University of British Columbia and Physics (Ph.D.) from the University of Western Ontario. After completing a post-doctoral fellowship under the supervision of Dr. Ravi Menon, Kyle joined the CFMM as a Research Scientist in 2009. His current area of research focuses on the development of hardware for high-field MRI scanners. This includes the design and fabrication of transmit and receive radiofrequency arrays and their integration into the scanner architecture.

Trevor Szekeres

Sr MRI Research Technologist

Biography: Trevor is a nationally certified MRI Technologist with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) and provincially licensed by the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO). He is operating the 7T MRI scanner for the CFMM.

Alex Li

Research Scientist

Biography: Dr. Alex Li holds degrees in Physics from P.R. China, Computer Science (M.Sc.) and Medical Biophysics (Ph.D.) from the University of Western Ontario. His responsibilities are to ensure the safe, efficient and optimal operation of the 9.4T MRI system in CFMM, and collaborate with RF lab members and software developers in design and implementation of new hardware and software strategies. In addition, Alex will provide guidance and consultation related to researches involving the 9.4T MRI system

Miranda Bellyou

Manager, Animal Research And Care

Biography: Miranda is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) with 17 years of applied experience working with various animal models at high and ultrahigh field MRI. In her role as Manager, Animal Research & Care, Miranda oversees animal research activities across all 3 MRI units within the CFMM, including the daily operations, scheduling, logistics and administration of these activities, ensuring that the CFMM meets high standards of animal care in research, is in compliance with best practices, regulations, SOPs, University policies, and CCAC guidelines.

Oksana Opalevych

Sr. MRI Research Technologist

Biography: Oksana is a nationally certified MRI Technologist with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) and provincially licensed by the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO). She joined the CFMM in 2011 as an MRI Research Technologist, and currently operates the 3T Siemens Prisma scanner.

David Reese

Sr. MRI Research Technologist

Biography: Dave is a nationally certified MRI technologist with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) and am provincially licensed by the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO). I have nine years’ experience as a research MRI technologist having worked on both GE and Siemens platforms.

Igor Solovey

Software Engineer

Biography: I am a software engineer at CFMM. One of my main responsibilities is the creation of software tools for reconstruction and post-processing of MR images. I collaborate with scientists and graduate students in creating software that facilitates and automates their research. I also assist in the maintenance and development of the computing infrastructure at CFMM. I graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo.

Alan Kuurstra

Research Engineer

Biography: Alan Kuurstra received his Bachelors and Masters degree of Applied Science from the University of Waterloo. Currently a research engineer at the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping , he is involved in the use of high and ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain anatomy and function in healthy human participants, various clinical populations, and animals. His key responsibilities include the data analysis of MRI experiments for multiple collaborative projects with basic biologists, neuroscientists, graduate students and clinicians.

Heather Smith

Research Coordinator

Biography: Heather plays a crucial role in supporting the CFMM team, particularly by assisting the Acting Director (J. Gati) and coordinating with the five Core investigators and their graduate students. Her responsibilities include managing and overseeing the clinical trials conducted through the CFMM, as well as providing logistical support for studies conducted on both the 3T and 7T MRI machines. As the first point of contact for Principal Investigators (PIs) and their grad students, Heather ensures smooth communication and operational efficiency within the department. She also serves as the primary administrative support, handling various coordination and organizational tasks that keep the department running smoothly. Whether it’s scheduling, resource allocation, or addressing any issues that arise in day-to-day operations, Heather is integral to maintaining the department's high level of function.

Peter Zeman

Research Technician

Biography: Peter designs and fabricates transmit and receive radio frequency coils alongside Dr. Gilbert at the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping. In addition, Peter finds way to improve the high-field MRI scanners such as the 3T, 7T and 9.4T MRI scanners. He also conducts research to find new and interesting approaches for MRI coil designs. In his spare time, Peter enjoys various sports including Ultimate Frisbee, squash, soccer, Ping-Pong, badminton, and volleyball. He also enjoys traveling and has visited ten countries around the world and counting.

Omer Oran

Siemens MR Collaboration Scientist

Biography: Dr. Omer Oran’s current research is on the applications and methods related to MRI parallel transmit systems, RF pulse design and B1 mapping. He is also supporting researchers and students for pulse sequence development and image-reconstruction implementations.

Jinyi (Christina) Tan

RF Engineer

Biography: Christina (Jinyi) Tan holds degrees in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering (B.Eng.) from McMaster University and Biomedical Engineering, Bioimaging (M.Sc.) from ETH Zürich. Christina joined the CFMM as a Research Hardware Engineer in 2023. Christina is a member of the CFMM hardware group, where she uses her background in software and electrical engineer to develop radio frequency coils and peripheral equipment for high-field MRI scanners.