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.
Miranda Bellyou
Manager, Animal Research And CareBiography: Miranda is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) with 20 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.
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.
Julie Grandbois
Research TechnicianBiography: Julie holds an Honours B.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences from Laurentian University and an M.Sc. in Molecular Biology from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. She is currently a Research Technician at the CFMM, where she supports small animal imaging studies and provides technical expertise, training, and operational support within the MRI facilities.
Martyn Klassen
Research ScientistBiography: 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.
Alan Kuurstra
Research EngineerBiography: 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.
Alex Li
Research ScientistBiography: 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
Ywlliane da Silva Rodrigues Meurer
Research TechnicianBiography: Ywlliane Meurer holds a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and a Ph.D. in Psychobiology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil. Her key responsibilities include ensuring standards of care and ethical treatment to maintain animal welfare, facilitating breeding and training, and providing proper procedural support for experiments in Dr. Menon’s research projects. In her spare time, Ywlliane really enjoys cycling around the city and practicing samatta meditation.
Mo Naderi
Research Scientist IIBiography: Dr. Naderi holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Saskatchewan and has over five years of postdoctoral experience, including the York Science and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. As a Research Scientist II in Dr. Menon’s Lab at CFMM, he manages Dr. Menon's research program focused on developing advanced neuroimaging techniques and novel therapeutics for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. His work involves overseeing laboratory operations, training trainees, securing funding, and ensuring compliance with research protocols. His current project focuses on investigating how gamma sensory stimulation modulates neural activity and mitigates Alzheimer’s disease pathology, with the goal of developing innovative therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.
Oksana Opalevych
Sr. MRI Research TechnologistBiography: 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.
Omer Oran
Siemens MR Collaboration ScientistBiography: 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.
David Reese
Sr. MRI Research TechnologistBiography: Dave is a nationally certified MRI technologist with the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) and is 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 EngineerBiography: 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.
Heather Smith
Research CoordinatorBiography: Heather supports 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.
Trevor Szekeres
Sr MRI Research TechnologistBiography: 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.
Jinyi (Christina) Tan
RF EngineerBiography: 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.
Peter Zeman
Research TechnicianBiography: 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.
